Welcome to
Coffee with the Counselors
Hays Middle School
2024-2025
Hays Middle School Counselors
2024-2025
6th Grade:
Gina Keller
7th Grade:
Kimberly Smith
8th Grade:
Melody Jones
Counseling Secretary:
Elizabeth Garry
469-219-2000 Ext. 73161
Left to right: Kim Smith (7th), Gina Keller (6th), Melody Jones (8th), Elizabeth Garry (counseling secretary)
A school counselor is a highly trained educator and mental health professional that supports students’ academic, career, personal, social and emotional development. School counselors collaborate with stakeholders to implement responsive, preventative services that meet the needs of ALL students and ensure that they reach their highest potential. School counselors help make school communities a safe and respectful place to learn and grow.
What is a
SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
Which Services Do School
COUNSELORS PROVIDE?
Follow Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling:
Which Services Do School
COUNSELORS PROVIDE?
Counseling Content Areas:
Which Services Do School
COUNSELORS PROVIDE?
Guidance Topics:
Meet the Counselor, Coping Skills, Making Healthy Choices, Decision Making, Bullying, College/Career Planning, Healthy Relationships, Course Selection, Stress/Resilience, Conflict Resolution/Communication, Anti-Victimization (opt-in)
Do School Counselors
NO, we do not provide therapy. Although school counselors are highly trained, we are not able to make diagnoses as a therapist would in a private practice or outside agency. We do provide crisis counseling. If a student needs long-term, intensive services, school counselors can provide community referrals for outside counseling services and/or assessments.
PROVIDE THERAPY?
Is a School Counselor’s Work
CONFIDENTIAL?
YES, school counselors respect students by keeping the information they share confidential. A critical step in building trust and rapport with students is making sure they know that we will respect their privacy. School counselors will share critical information with teachers, parents, and administrators on a “need to know” basis. If a student is hurting themselves or others, the school counselor will inform the appropriate stakeholders right away to ensure their safety.
PARENT OUTREACH/RESOURCES
(quick way for anyone to anonymously report safety concerns)