About Us
Overview
Our Mission: The mission of the School Counseling Program is to facilitate the personal and academic growth of all students. School counselors, as integral members of the educational team, support students in making positive life choices and becoming responsible, caring adults.
Our Comprehensive School Counseling Program: Services are provided to all students through Classroom Guidance, Small group Counseling, and Individual Counseling. Click "School Counseling Program" on the left task bar for more information.
Other Counseling Services: In addition to the full range of school counseling services which I can offer as a full-time school counselor, we, at Robert Moton Elementary School, are fortunate to have on staff a Crisis Intervention Specialist, a Behavior Specialist, and a School Psychologist. I am available to discuss other counseling options available at school for our families.
Contact Info
Programs
THE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM AT ROBERT MOTON
Sevices are delivered by a trained, certifed, caring professional who works with all students, parents, teachers, staff and community, in order to help each student achieve academic and social success. These services involve one of the following "3 C's" .
The 3 C's of Counseling
1. Consultation and Collaboration – The School Counselor consults and collaborates with teachers and school staff, specialists, and outside resources in order to support students. The counselor regularly meets and talks with parents. If you have any concerns about your child, please feel free to contact the Mrs. Peters. She can also refer families to outside resources.
2. Coordination – The School Counselor works with teachers, staff, and parents to assess student need in order to create and implement the most effective service program. The program is evaluated for success throughout the school year.
3. Counseling – The Counselor provides counseling services to students in the following ways:
- Individual Counseling , is a process where students discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting, for a limited time. Longer-term therapy, not available at school, may require a referral to an outside agency or individual therapist. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include: feelings, changing families, peer pressure, friends, stress, academics, social skills, bullying, getting along with others, problem-solving, and decision-making.
- Small Group Counseling, is a process where students, by sharing similar issues and concerns, work together to achieve their goals in a small group environment consisting of about 3-6 peers. The group sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are held for approximately 6-8 weeks. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include divorce or changing families, grief and loss, friendship and social skills, study skills and organization, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.
- Classroom Guidance is a process that includes teaching developmental skills using age-appropriate, classroom-based lessons. Topics may include self-esteem, conflict resolution, study skills, anger management, career awareness, tattling/reporting, friendship/social skills, responsibility, respect, teasing/bullying/cyber-bullying, feelings, cooperation, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure.
Strategies and techniques used to deliver these counseling services to students include reading books and stories, puppets, drawing activities, dialogue, role play, art activities, games, music, and more as appropriate.
Parents, teachers, school staff, and students (anyone concerned with the welfare of children) may refer a student to the school counselor.
Additional School Counselor Roles
- 504 Case Manager
- Homeless Student Liaison
- PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Committee member
- Student Service Support Team member
- School Improvement Team member
Full-School Programs
BEST
The B.E.S.T., (Behavioral Educational Support Team), Program is designed to provide controlled and structured alternatives for students who are unable to participate in the regular school program. This program provides a supportive and positive environment where expectations are clearly defined and consistency in behavior management techniques are practiced. It is our belief that students' maximum potentials can be realized when a variety of opportunities are provided for them to:
- Express their feelings
- Increase self-esteem
- Develop problem-solving skills
- Demonstrate coping techniques
- Obtain positive reinforcement
The B.E.S.T. Program was designed with these objectives in mind. The goal of our program is to give students the skills necessary to find success in a general education setting.
The Team
In addition to Gillian Harris, LCPC and Doreen Scott, LCPC who are the B.E.S.T. team's Mental Health Therapists. The team consists of 7 Special Education teachers, and 7 paraprofessional classroom instructional assistants.
Staff
Elementary School Counselor, Mrs. Suzanne Peters, provides a comprehensive school counseling program in order to help all students reach their potential. Mrs. Peters is a Certified School Counselor with a Master’s Degree from McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College). She has been a school counselor with CCPS for15 years and was formerly a classroom teacher. She has been the counselor at RME for 10 years. For more information on our comprehensive school counseling program, please go to the School Counseling Program tab.
BEST Program’s Mental Health Therapist, Doreen Scott, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor having received her master’s degree from Towson University in Psychology. As a Mental Health Therapist for the BEST program, Mrs. Scott provides counseling services, crisis intervention, professional development for staff, works with families to help obtain outpatient services and much more. Mrs. Scott has been working with children and adolescents with social, emotional and behavioral challenges for 30 years.
Mental Health Therapist, Gillian Harris LCPC, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor supporting our students with their social emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs. Mrs. Harris earned her master’s degree in Counseling Education from McDaniel College. She has experience working in education for over 16 years, and has experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in community mental health.
Behavior Support Specialist (BSS), Ms. Karen Alderman, focuses on students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs in order to maximize student learning and achievement. She supports the RME school community through collaboration, prevention, intervention, and behavior and mental health education. She is a former classroom and special education teacher with more than 30 years of experience working in many settings. She supports the RME community throughout the school year.