Counselor Connection
DuPont Elementary School Counseling
The Role of the Elementary School Counselor
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 succeed and reach their full potential.
Counselors enhance academic, personal/social, and career development of all students through a variety of programs including:
Classroom lessons
Individual counseling
Academic planning
Group counseling and lunch bunches
Consultation with parents/guardians and school personnel
Coordination with community agencies
School-wide programming
Parent workshops and education
The professional elementary school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state licensure in school counseling. Maintaining licensure 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.
School Counselors Help Children By...
Promoting positive attitudes among students toward self, family, peers and community
Assisting students in learning how school performance relates to future opportunities
Developing and delivering classroom guidance lessons that focus on character development and teaching skills such as healthy decision making, resolving conflicts, and respecting others
Working collaboratively with students, parents and teachers to identify and remove barriers to learning
Supporting students by teaching skills for achieving success
Counseling with students individually and in groups
Providing support during personal crisis
Orienting new students and helping students with the transition process
Counselors are the heart of the school by...
Helping create a safe school environment where children can learn
Working with students on attendance issues
Coordinating referrals to outside agencies
Helping design interventions to enhance student success
Developing community partnerships to enhance student career awareness
Helping teachers create a positive learning environment
Helping students learn anger management, conflict resolution, and mediation skills
Helping parents, teachers, administrators in learning how to meet the needs of all students
August Lessons and Events
This month, I will be doing a "Meet the Counselor" lesson for students to learn more about me, what my role and responsibilities are, and how to reach me. Next month, we will launch into respect and responsibility, as well as goal-setting with 3rd and 4th graders.
Upcoming Events:
- Boy Scouts Classroom Presentations, 8/17
- Tooth Fairy Mary Dental Education, 8/18
- Pawpalooza, 8/28
- School Pictures, 9/2
- PTO Kickoff, 9/3
Who Sees the Counselor?
About Me
I am originally from Lexington, KY, the horse capital of the world, but have lived in Nashville for the last 5 years. I attended Centre College and the University of Kentucky for undergrad and received my B.A. in Psychology. After graduation, I moved to Nashville and worked as a research analyst at Vanderbilt Peabody College of Education for 3 years. After being on a college campus for several years, I decided to go back to school to pursue my Masters degree. In May 2015, I received my Masters in Education in Human Development Counseling from Vanderbilt with a specialization in school counseling.
When I'm not working, I enjoy exploring Nashville with my husband, running, yoga, cooking, hanging out with friends, and traveling.
I'm excited to be joining the DuPont family and I'm looking forward to working with you this year!
Email: lauren.payne@mnps.org
Location: 1311 9th Street, Old Hickory, TN, United States
Phone: 615-847-7305