Counselor Anita Baker

  • Meet Our Counselor

    Centerville Elementary School has one full-time professional counselor, who is available to provide support to all students, parents and staff.  I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychological Services. I also received an Education Specialist Degree in School Counseling from the University of Georgia. I have worked as a School Counselor for Gwinnett County Public Schools for the past twenty- five years.  I love to travel, play tennis and spend time with my family.

Career Exploration Sites

Expand All

  • What is the role of your school counselor?

    • Provide short-term individual counseling to students to assist in goal setting based on academic, attendance, behavior, and social/emotional data.
    • Provide support and assistance to students and families as they navigate crisis and emergency situations.
    • Conduct classroom core curriculum lessons.
    • Provide targeted small group counseling when behavioral, social or emotional issues interfere with academic progress.
    • Collaborate with parents, teachers, and administration.
    • Participate in Student Support Team Meetings.
    • Support attendance goals and initiatives.
    • Connect parents to outside resources when help is needed.

    Parents, teachers, and students can initiate referrals to the counselor.

  • Classroom Core Curriculum lessons:

    Through books, activities and discussion, students identify personal strengths to positively impact school performance. All students in Grades K-5 participate in Classroom Core Curriculum lessons with the counselor.
    ​
    Core Curriculum lessons for Grades K-5 at Centerville Elementary are modeled in accordance with American School Counselor Association National Counseling Standards for students in each grade level.

  • During digital learning, Gwinnett County School Counselors will continue supporting students' academic success, career development, and social-emotional growth, utilizing Zoom and Google Meet for individual meetings, conferences, presentations, groups, and classroom lessons/activities.

  • September school attendance awareness month

    Every September , Attendance Awareness Month takes place to spread awareness regarding why maintaining attendance in school and college is essential for academic success.  Apart from the fact that missing classes can place a student behind in their coursework, absenteeism also affects assignments and final exams.

    When people think of school attendance, they immediately think of truant students, students who skip school, or have unexcused absences.  Instead, there is a need to focus on total absences as a whole, both excused and unexcused, as the impact of missing school can be universally observed in all grade levels in a student’ s academic achievement and overall adjustment to school.  Below are resources available to support students based on contributing factors for chronic absences.

    Attendance Awareness Resources (click here)

    Attendance Awareness flyer (click here)
    Comments (-1)

  • think first and stay safe

    Your child will be participating in an important personal safety lesson called Think First and Stay Safe.  The lesson is presented by our School Counselor, Ms. Baker, to students in every grade.  The lesson will be presented virtually to digital learners as well as to in-person students in the classroom.
    Please click on the link below to learn more about the curriculum and how you can preview the information presented. Please feel free to contact Ms. Baker if you have any questions or concerns at anita.baker@gcpsk12.org / 678-639-3722.
     
    If you prefer that your student NOT participate in the sexual abuse and safety prevention lessons, please write and sign a note indicating your preference.  Unless written documentation is received, your child will participate in these lessons.
     
    Comments (-1)

  • During this unprecedented time, I wanted to make resources available to you that offer support. Please use the links to access these additional resources.

    Digital Learning and Counseling Support

    Navigating the Holidays - A Parents Resource Guide
    Comments (-1)
If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.
If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.

  • ASCA National Counseling Standards
Expand All

  • Students Academic Development:

    Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.
     
    Standard B: Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.
     
    Standard C: Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.

  • Career Development:

    Standard A: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.
     
    Standard B: Students will employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction.
     
    Standard C: Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work.

  • Personal/Social:

    Standard A: Students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.
     
    Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.
     
    Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills.