Jeana James – Horizon Elementary School Counselor – 652-4781

Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners.  Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children to achieve academic success and their full potential.  The professional elementary school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling.  Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students.  Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

• Teach classroom guidance lessons for all students.
• Identify student personal interests and abilities.
• Help students develop skills and set goals for future success.
• Provide a good supply of encouragement.
• Facilitate student transition from grade to grade and school to school.
• Facilitate referrals for students who need extra social-emotional, behavioral, or academic support as applicable.
• Facilitate parent/guardian involvement in student plans.
• Provide responsive services for students and their families.
• Review and explain standardized test scores.

• Support families in understanding the school community, and assist with school concerns.
• Develop effective education and behavioral plans and interventions.
• Facilitate meetings with students, teachers or school administrators as needed.
• Help parents/guardians gain access to their students’ grades and attendance as needed.
• Offer district and community referral sources for student and family support.
• Provide accurate information to assist with student’s academic, social-emotional and behavioral needs.
• Involve parents for student success.

• Contribute to a school’s learning environment for the development of the whole child.
• Support developmentally appropriate activities for academic/learning, life/career, multicultural/global citizen, and personal/social development.
• Participate in district guidance program.
• Plan and implement a school guidance plan.
• Organize a full calendar year.
• Collect data to inform practice.
• Participate in service-learning activities and projects.
• Provide information and support to faculty and staff members.
• Participate on school committees focusing on improved outcomes for students.
• Participate in professional organizations and professional development at the school, district, or state level.
• Communicate with counseling professionals from network schools.