Counseling Connection
Swenke Counselors 2023-2024

Swenke Elementary School
We are excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year! We look forward to working with your child this school year. Below you will find a brief biography of each of our counselors at Swenke.
Swenke Guidance and Counseling Department
- Mrs. Stephanie R. Gable
- Mrs. Lauren Fitzgerald
Stephanie R. Gable, M.Ed. : Professional School Counselor
Stephanie Gable has been an educator for 18 years. She received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, and her Master's degree in School Counseling from Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. She has taught various grade levels over the years in Kansas and in Texas, and this is her sixth year as a school counselor.
She and her husband grew up together in a rural Kansas community and have been married for almost 36 years. They have 4 adult children and 4 precious granddaughters! Her favorite activities outside of school include reading and writing inspirational pieces, camping, and spending holidays (and any chance she gets) with her family.
Lauren Fitzgerald, M.A, M.S : Professional School Counselor
Lauren Fitzgerald has been in education for 10 years. She completed her undergrads at Houston Community College and Springfield College with a focus in Human Service Counseling and Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counseling. She then went on to complete two graduate degrees in Professional School Counseling and Crisis and Trauma Response Counseling from Angelo State University and Liberty University.
She started out in Cypress-Fairbanks at ALC in 2014 with middle and high school students. She then went on to teach a variety of Social Studies subjects and CTE courses in the Harmony Public School Systems for middle and high school students. She returned to Cypress-Fairbanks in 2020 to teach CTE and the Teacher Prep Program at Cypress- Park High School. Mrs. Fitzgerald is absolutely thrilled to meet her new kiddos this year at Swenke!
She is married to a Texas State Trooper and has three girls, ages 16, 11, and 7. Mrs Fitzgerald enjoys reading, going to the movies, and enjoying new places to eat with her family. She also enjoys going to her children's various sporting events/games and traveling with her family.
Mrs. Fitzgerald serves Prekindergarten, ECSE, Kinder, Second grade, and Fourth Grade this school year. You may contact her by email at lauren.fitzgerald@cfisd.net or by phone 281-213-1205.
A Comprehensive School Counseling Program
- Guidance Curriculum: Structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills appropriate for their developmental level.
- Individual Student Planning: Coordinated ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
- Responsive Services: Activities designed to meet the immediate needs and concerns of students. Services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.
- System Support: Services provided on behalf of students through interactions with others, including referrals for additional assistance, consultation, and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators, and community organizations.
Family and Community Involvement
Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students)
dadsofgreatstudents.com.
The Swenke Watch DOGS program for 2023-24 is currently full. To be placed on the waiting list in the case of a cancelation, email stephanie.gable@cfisd.net.
GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION
*Beginning-of-year GT screenings are available for students new to Texas or coming from private schools. The deadline for requesting this testing is September 2. Contact your school counselor for more information.
CREDIT BY EXAM
The State Board of Education has established procedures to allow elementary students to “skip” one grade level OR math only by taking a series of exams which assess the Texas Essential Knowledge/Skills (TEKS) established for that grade level. Parents interested in having their children screened for credit-by-exam should contact their school counselor. If the school is unable to answer a question, please email the Testing Office at creditbyexam@cfisd.net.
For more information about the CBE process, please refer to the CFISD Credit by Exam link: https://www.cfisd.net/Page/1823