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School Counselors

Why School Counselors?

Students with access to school counselors and comprehensive school counseling programs are more likely to achieve academically and behaviorally; particularly students in high-poverty schools (Lapan, Gysbers, Bragg, & Pierce, 2012).

School counseling programs support the Standards of Learning by providing instruction, appraisal and advisement, and counseling to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to achieve academic success, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators and others to promote learning and help students establish and achieve their education, career, and personal goals. As vital members of the school leadership team, school counselors directly contribute to the creation of a safe, supportive, and inclusive school climate.

Comprehensive school counseling programs are driven by data, based on standards in academic, career, and social/emotional development, and promote and enhance the learning process of all students. Professional school counselors are an integral part of the overall school mission and vision.

School counselors are trained to provide counseling services through eight different types of delivery methods:

  • Counseling Curriculum
  • Small Group Counseling
  • Individual Counseling
  • Crisis Response
  • Individual Student Planning
  • Consultation
  • Collaboration
  • Referral

Resources

Leigh Gunter
District Lead Counselor
lgunter@mail.dps.k12.va.us
(434) 799-6400

Grove Park & Northside Preschools
Thomas Vipperman

Arnett Hills Elementary School
Caren DeJarnette
Travon Ragsdale

E.A. Gibson Elementary School
Tia Stone
Felicia Valentine

Forest Hills Elementary School
Jill Cleary

Park Avenue Elementary School
Bobbie Bennett

Schoolfield Elementary School
Imani Brayboy

Woodberry Hills Elementary School
Ashlea Kasey

Activ8 STEM Academy
Beth deAristizabal

O.T. Bonner Middle School
Cynthia Johnson
Myesha Womack

Westwood Middle School
Jerika Barley-Bey
Jimmia Trapp

Galileo Magnet High School
Tammie Saunders

George Washington High School
Gia Crews
Taylor Morris
Cody Perdue
Kristen Scott

RISE Academy
Coretta Knick