What is the role of a school counselor?  

My job at Tamarron Elementary is to make sure that all of our students are academically, socially, and emotionally successful at our school.  I work with students, teachers, and parents to facilitate a positive school experience and identify struggling learners.  School Counseling services are delivered in four specific ways:

• School Guidance Curriculum - designing, structuring, and delivering classroom lessons designed to achieve specific competencies in all grades PK-5 (personal/social, academic, career) and driven by the needs of the school population​

• Individual Student Planning - assisting students with goal formation/planning (behavioral, academic, etc.)​

• Responsive Services - meeting immediate student needs (counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, peer mediation, information-providing)​

• System Support - school-wide program planning and implementation. As well as consulting with other professionals, coordination of various supports for students and families

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As a school counselor I directly provide counseling services to students in the following capacities:

Individual Counseling

A process where students discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting (for a limited time, ongoing therapy is not available at school). Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include: feelings, changing families, peer pressure, friends, stress, academics, social skills, academics, bullying, getting along with others, problem-solving, and decision-making.

Small Group Counseling

A process where students, sharing similar issues and concerns, work together in a small group environment consisting of about 4-8 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, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.

Classroom Counseling 

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, feelings, cooperation, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure.

Each month during the school year, Lamar CISD will recognize one of the Six Pillars of Character as part of the District’s Whole Child Health and Wellness initiative. The Six Pillars of Character are the core ethical values that help instill a positive school climate for students and create a culture of kindness, making schools a safe environment for students to learn.

The character traits for are:

Trustworthiness – September
Respect – October
Responsibility – November/December
Fairness – January/February
Caring – March
Citizenship – April/May

​To learn more about the Six Pillars of Character, visit the Character Counts website. 

The No Place for Hate® initiative provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum.  No Place for Hate® also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual differences while challenging bigotry and prejudice.  Launched in schools in 2001, the popular initiative has been embraced by hundreds of campuses throughout the Southwest region, including many in the Houston, Austin/Central Texas and El Paso areas.

Tamarron has been officially recognized as a “No Place for Hate” campus.  If you have lunch with your child, you will see our banner! Our goal is to be recognized again this year.  Tamarron Ambassadors are members of the “No Place for Hate Coalition.” The Ambassadors will also promote school-wide activities that encourage kindness, acceptance of differences, and respect for others. They will be working hard but we need everyone to do their part to make our school a welcoming place for all.

Tips for a Successful Year

*Help your child set (and reach) realistic, measurable short-term goals.

*Require your child to clean and organize his/her backpack one day per week.

*Communicate with teachers about child’s progress and any concerns you may have.

*Create a designated homework area for your child.

*Make a plan to recognize your child’s academic accomplishments.

Helpful Websites:

School Success Tips
www.schoolfamily.com

Bullying Prevention
www.stopbullying.gov

Internet Safety
www.netsmartz.org

No Place for Hate
www.noplaceforhate.org
STAAR Testing Information
www.tea.state.tx.us

Mental Health Resource Guide
www.mhafbc.org/Resource-Guide

LeKia Holden

Counselor
PK-5th Grade

Email
[email protected]

Phone
832-223-5700

Office Hours
Monday - Friday
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.