High School Counseling Services
GOC’s high school counseling program seeks to provide services that enhance the development of the whole person as well as address the transitional issues of a rapidly growing community. Specific services include skill building for each grade level, a mentoring program, and four counselors split alphabetically grades 9-12.
The counseling program is based upon the belief that all students have inherent, immeasurable worth and unlimited potential. Each student can learn anything that he or she chooses to learn. In addition, students have choices and are responsible for the consequences of those choices. Students are encouraged and assisted in fulfilling their potential and meeting their educational goals in four realms - personal, social/emotional, vocational, and academic. Our program is designed to enhance this process.
The overall goal of the counseling program is to provide services which allow students:
- To adjust to school expectations in an effective manner
- To enhance success in the classroom
- To make informed career decisions
- To understand developmental needs
- To utilize decision making and problem solving skills for coping with life’s demands
In fulfilling these goals, counselors work collaboratively with students as well as parents, teachers, and administrators to plan programs and deliver information critical to the success of each and every student.
The high school counselors meet regularly with the teachers to discuss student progress and help maximize student success. Mr. Dwight Jackson works with alphabet last names A - F, Ms. Rachel Capaldi G - J, Ms. Kari Wislar K - P, and Ms. Jessica Pompilus R - Z. Ms. Alison Cunningham works with all students in the Graduate Gwinnett Program.
Middle Grades Counseling Services
Dr. Dana Edwards is the counselor for students in 6th grade, Ms. Nikita Johnson is the counselor for students in 7th grade, and Ms. Barbara Santiago is the counselor for students in 8th grade. Our middle grades counselors meet with students and parents to discuss academic, personal, and social/emotional concerns. They teach lessons in the classroom (face-to-face and online) on topics such as how to be successful at GOC, social media dangers, online etiquette, peer relationships, career exploration, personal safety (Teen Lures), and the skills critical for healthy social-emotional development and academic success.
Dr. Edwards also leads small counseling groups on topics such as worry management, social skills, and peer relations. She also meets twice a month with the middle grades teachers to discuss the progress of each student and makes the course schedules for students. You can stay informed about these counseling services and lessons by following her blog, http://gocounseling.wordpress.com.
4th and 5th Grades Counseling Services
Dr. Edwards is also the counselor for students in the 4th and 5th grades. She meets with students and families to discuss their academic and developmental needs and teaches classroom and small group lessons on career exploration, personal safety (Child Lures), worry management, and the skills critical for healthy social-emotional development and academic success. She also leads weekly classroom meetings with the students to teach empathy, self-awareness, and conflict management skills.
You can stay informed about these counseling services and lessons by following her blog, http://gocounseling.wordpress.com.
Counseling Services for Graduate Gwinnett Students
Alison Cunningham, M.Ed. is the counselor for students in the Graduate Gwinnett Program. The Graduate Gwinnett Program is an innovative approach offering flexibility for students to complete the required course work for graduation. Students enter a unique and individualized online learning environment with face-to-face support as needed.
Ms. Cunningham meets with students and advises them on the courses needed to graduate. She assists with orientation and provides on-going counseling and referral services to help students graduate in December and May each year.
Please email your counselor to schedule an appointment.Indicate in your email if you prefer to meet in-person, Zoom, Adobe Connect, or by phone.We look forward to meeting with you!
