School Counselors
Overview
South Effingham Elementary School
Counseling and Guidance Program
The counseling and guidance program at South Effingham Elementary School is developmental in nature. It is designed to assist students in understanding themselves, to achieve to their capacity, and to make appropriate decisions through personal, educational, career counseling, and guidance services.
A developmental program helps students to:
- Understand the school environment
- Understand self and others
- Understand attitudes and behavior
- Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Develop interpersonal and communication skills
- Develop school-success skills
- Create career awareness and educational planning
- Create community pride and involvement
Students may be reached through:
Individual Counseling
- When requested by student, parent, or staff, the counselor may talk to a student privately. The goal for the counselor is to be a good listener and to help the student sort out a problem he or she may be having. The counselor is not able to provide ongoing, regular, counseling sessions to students, but can be supportive in nature and provide outside resources if needed. Information shared with the counselor is confidential, except in cases where the counselor is required to report (such as abuse, etc.)
Classroom Guidance
- Scheduled monthly in each classroom by teacher and counselor to determine best time and appropriate topic
- Topics can include conflict management, friendship, problem solving, responsibility, feelings, anger management, self-concept, values and character development, tolerance, drug/alcohol abuse, careers, and many other areas as needed
- Safety Matters safety program taught yearly to K-5th grades
- Always Changing: The Puberty Talk taught to 5th grade
Small Group Counseling
- Lunch Bunch and Small Support Groups may be scheduled throughout the year based on students’ needs
- Parental consent must be secured for all participants
Consultation (Parents, Staff, Parent/Teacher Conferences)
- Resources, information, and materials available
- Counselor assists in developing strategies and interventions, follows up on consultation
Community and Referral Agencies
- Referrals made to Department of Family and Children Services
- Counselor works closely with local agencies in providing assistance to students/families with specific needs
Ms. Paige Kutchey
912-728-3801 Ext. 2032
My name is Paige Kutchey and I am one of the school counselors at South Effingham Elementary. I am originally from Maryland where I received my B.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I taught first grade in West Virginia for 2 years before deciding to move south and go back to school. I moved to Georgia in April 2022 and received my M. Ed in School Counseling from Liberty University’s online program.
Working at South Effingham Elementary is truly my dream job. I have always been passionate about working with kids. My goal as a counselor is to help students strengthen the skills they need to be successful in and out of the classroom. I feel so blessed to be working at SEES and I am here to help you and your family in any way I can!
Ms. Caleigh Dickey
My name is Caleigh Dickey and I am one of the school counselors at South Effingham Elementary. I am the counselor for students with last names starting with A-K. This is my first year as a school counselor! I recently graduated from Georgia Southern University, where I obtained my M.Ed in School Counseling. I entered the program to be a clinical mental health counselor and work with kids, but after being placed in an elementary school for my practicum, I found a passion for being in the school and I knew it was exactly where I was supposed to be. I am so excited to be a counselor at SEES and I know this is going to be an amazing year!
My goal as a school counselor is to help kids become the best version of themselves that they can be. I am so excited to work with you and your family this year and I am always here to help in any way I can!
912-728-3801 ext.2026
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