Counselor

COUNSELORS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

About the Counselor

Valerie Rodriguez MA, LMHC, NCC Professional School Counselor
Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Phone: 764-2020 x6
E-mail: rodriguez_v@aps.edu

I have been a school counselor here at Dolores Gonzales for 5 years and I’m proud to be a Tiger. I received my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and my Masters degree in Counseling at the University of New Mexico. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, scrap booking, dancing and spending time with my family and friends.

Why elementary School counselors?

Elementary school years set the tone of developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. School counselors understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. They design, develop implement and evaluate a Comprehensive School Counseling Program based on the needs of the students in the school. The program is proactive and preventative, developmentally appropriate, and essential for:

• Children to have a better understanding of, and acceptance of themselves
• Children to learn to cope with family changes.
• Children to develop decision-making and problem solving skills
• Children to develop socially and emotionally, to mature in their relations with others.
• Children to be able to understand themselves in relation their own development
• Assisting parent, teachers and administrators in understanding and meeting the needs of the children’s emotion, behaviors and learning styles.

School Counselors believe:

• Children have dignity and worth as human beings
• Children learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others
• Children who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior
• Children are capable of making responsible choices
• Attitudes formed during elementary school shape future attitudes toward learning, self and society.

Counseling Program

The goals of Dolores Gonzales Counseling Program are to reduce barriers to learning so that all students can be successful in all areas in their life. This is accomplished through providing classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, individual counseling and crisis intervention.

Role of the School Counselor

• School Counselor is educators with a focus on the mental, emotional and physical health of every student.
• School counselors address the needs of students through the implementation of a comprehensive, standards-based developmental program based on the American School Counseling National Standards
• Are specialists in human behavior and relationships that provide assistance to students through four primary interventions: counseling individual and group, large group lessons, consultation and coordination.
• Work as a team with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe, caring learning environment.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Classroom Guidance

Classroom lessons are delivered at the prevention level. Teachers sign up for monthly lessons based on classroom need. The areas of focus are academic, career and personal/social.

Group Counseling

Sessions consist of 6-10 lessons in a small group setting once a week for 40 minutes. Group topics include, friendship skills, anger management, divorce, grief and loss, and study skills. Group topics are determined by need. Any staff member, parent or student can request group counseling. Art therapy, Sand tray, and experiential games are utilized in the sessions.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is short-term not to exceed six sessions. If more support is needed referrals to an outside agency will be given as well as other resources.

Web Resources

Parent Page

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