I have 8 years experience as a classroom teacher and 22 years experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor helping families and children with 10 years experience as the Guidance Counselor at St. John’s Catholic School.

I hold a BA in Social Work and a MA in Counseling.

It is an honor and privilege to work here at St. John’s School.  I believe I have the best job in the world; working in a faith-filled community, involved with preparing children for their future spiritually, academically and emotionally and to provide counseling - the caring of their hearts and the hearts of others.  Research tells us that Guidance Programs within schools positively affect student grades.

Job Responsibilities:

1. I provide comprehensive counseling program for students, including maintenance of weekly counseling classes (alternating K-4^th grades one week and 5^th-8^th grades the following week). Counseling classes may include: character education, empathy building, conflict resolution, targeting cliques & teasing & bullying, communication skills, career counseling, decision-making skills, identification and management of feelings, learning responsibility, teaching fairness, caring & respect for self and others.
2. There are additional subjects covered: following the school calendar year - there are designated themes for certain months in our calendar year.  In August, we are particularly sensitive to our new students and their transitioning to our school.  I meet with them a couple of weeks into school to welcome them, introduce myself and my role here at the school.  Each new student introduces themselves and state from where they have moved. I talk about transition and what to expect from themselves, and go over any concerns & issues presented. In kindergarten, a special welcome is given to them as first time students as well as an introduction of counseling in school.  September is our safety month within the Diocese of Birmingham.  I teach safety classes (physical, emotional, good touch/bad touch, neglect, internet safety & bullying) as well as lead child abuse awareness programs/field trips for students. Fire and tornado safety is also presented.  October is drug awareness month.  Every year we work closely with Madison City Schools and participate in the nation wide Red Ribbon Week. We have lots of student involvement in this drug awareness program. We promote health and wise choices as well as saying “no to drugs.” I facilitate student involvement with educational and volunteer opportunities and awards. In November, I announce to qualifying 7^th grade students the opportunity they have to participate in the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP) and we begin to prepare for the ACT test.  In February, they take the ACT in hopes of attaining grand or state recognition as well participation in many educational opportunities.  In April, I facilitate the administration of standardized testing. Here at St. John’s we administer the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) and Cognitive Abilities (CogAT).  Results are mailed to parents after arrival to St. John’s School. Our eighth grade students are very busy the month of May as they close out their middle school years here at St. John’s School and begin the transition to high school. Our students feed into many schools in the area.  Discovery Middle, Liberty, Sparkman, Limestone County, Columbia with most of our students going on to Catholic High. I coordinate contact, visits, orientation meetings, tours, paperwork, and  schedules.  Each school has their own  procedures that we follow. At end of the year, I take care of their permanent records and send requested records/transcripts to designated schools.  I also help with 5^th grade students transitioning into the middle school.  
3. I am available for individual counseling as well.  I am able to meet with a student two times within the year.  Further time with students requires contact with the parents.  This counseling can be initiated by the teacher, student or parent.  If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact me.  I want to make myself available to you. 
4. I am available to meet with teachers and/or parents who have concerns for their students/children.  If requested, I participate in parent/teacher conferences.
5. I periodically facilitate small group counseling for students in needed areas.  Examples include: students whose parents are going through separation/divorce, anger-management, social skills, etc.
6. I lead or coordinate guest speakers for parent conferences/parent summit meetings on topics of interest and need to parents.  These opportunities are announced in our school newsletter.
7. Various committees are established at St. John’s School to meet the needs of students.  This year I work with several committees:  SACS accreditation team (AdvancED), Student Intervention Team (students needing help in the classroom-behaviorally or academically), Student Leadership Team (SLT), Crises Intervention Team, Red Ribbon Week, I help with testing potential kindergarten students in taking the school entrance exam.  Theses are just a few of the committees present at St. John’s School which make this school successful. 
8. Teacher inventories are given to every faculty member and as well as administration in order to yearly assess the needs of students.  I gather this information each May and from the results create and develop goals/plans for the upcoming year.
9. At a diocesan level, I work with counselors from other Catholic schools in north Alabama to ensure we adhere to standards of excellence and we are meeting the needs of our students.

Summary:  My work here at St. John’s School is to serve and minister to the needs of students, and parents.  God has put within each child a purpose He created in them and for which they are on earth.  I have the privilege of being a part of His special plan to love and care for them, and to provide for their needs in order that they might fulfill their purposes/days for which they are here.  I have the privilege of working with the finest administration and teachers who all have the same calling and vision for children.