CPS is celebrating National School Counseling Week 2022, “School Counseling: Better Together.”
School counselors bring a unique contribution to U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. From elementary to secondary our school counselors have a huge impact in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills. School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.
MEET OUR COUNSELORS
ELEMENTARY
Julie McComb is the counselor at Catalayah and has been with CPS for 12 years.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I want Catalayah students to feel like their voice matters; they are capable of reaching goals they set in life and can overcome adversities they’re going to face. I want them to feel loved and supported by their teachers and the other staff members.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: Claremore has always been my family’s home. My colleagues and students are my work family, and it’s an honor to be a part of Claremore Public Schools. I feel inspired by my coworkers every day and am so thankful for the Catalayah students and families.
Kristy McMillan is in her first year at Claremont and CPS.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I want students to know Claremont is a safe place for them. I want them to trust us and come to us and communicate anything that is bothering them. I want them to know and feel we love them.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: A school counselor at Claremont means you are working with a team to help the students become successful in all areas of life. We work together to help improve academics and social-emotional learning.
Tara Kerr is in her 3rd year at Roosa Elementary and has been in Claremore Public Schools since 2007.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I hope the students at Roosa know that they are cared for - not just by me, but by all the adults in our school who work hard to show them how much they are loved.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: Being a school counselor allows me to help teach students how to handle the things that life throws at them. I work with students on both their very best days and their worst days. I get to celebrate the times they shine and help them cope with the times they struggle. I genuinely feel like I am making a difference!
Teresa Hopper has been at Westside for 4 years and is in her 33rd year at CPS.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I want my students to know and feel from their experience at school is they are loved.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: Being a counselor means that I get to bring strategies and skills for coping, make students aware of social-emotional skills, have open collaboration with teachers, families, administrators, and the community, plus support and refer families and students to community resources.
SECONDARY
Lacy Hall is in her first year at WRJH and CPS.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I want students to know that when they are in my office, they are in a judgment-free place where they can be honest and feel loved.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: To be a school counselor means that I'm able to be a refuge and safe space for children in need.
Mattie Kennon is in her 3rd year at WRJH and CPS.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: My goals for the students attending WRJH are to develop a love for learning, to learn and appreciate who they are as unique individuals, and to create lasting friendships with their peers and teachers.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: Being part of CPS has been a wonderful growing experience both professionally and personally. I have learned so much, having worked within this community. I enjoy positively influencing the children and young adults I encounter every day.
Cindy Vanaman has been at CHS/CPS for 8 years as the Freshman/Sophomore counselor.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I want students to feel encouraged and know that they are valued and that CHS is a safe place for them.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: It means I get to work with an awesome group of teachers, administrators, and staff that genuinely care about the well being and education of the students in our school
Kari Forest has been the Junior counselor at CHS and is in her 21st year in CPS.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: If you need help with anything, come to our Counseling office. We can help you with almost anything, and if not, we will find someone who can!!
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: Helping the students find their way.
Debbie Grace has been at CHS & CPS for 9 years as the Senior counselor.
Q: What is the one you want students to know or feel from their experience at your school?
A: I truly love my job. I want students to know I'm here for them and want to help any way I can. That they matter; everyone is important, and I want to encourage students to be the best they can be, no matter what they decide to do in the future.
Q: What does it mean to be a school counselor at CPS?
A: It means helping students through the end of their high school years and into the next chapter of their lives.
We appreciate our school counselors who actively engage in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
#CPSZEBRAPRIDE