• Counselor's Corner
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  • Who is My School Counselor?

    Ms. Kellie Hinesley

    • Grew up in Gwinnett County and attended Gwinnett County Schools.
    • Has her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Family and Consumer Sciences.
    • Taught Home Economics (Parenting, Foods & Nutrition, and Marriage & Family Classes) in Los Angeles for nine years.
    • Earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from California State in Los Angeles.
    • Completed her Specialist Degree from the University of Georgia and has over 25 years in education.
    • Especially enjoys helping families with parenting issues.

    Please call or e-mail if you have any questions for concerns.

    678.765.4968

    kellie.hinesley@gcpsk12.org

  • How Will My Counselor Work With Me?

    School Counselor

    The counselor may work with me …

    • in my classroom.
    • in a small group.
    • or by myself.

  • Why Does My School Have a Counselor?

    Puzzle pieces with counseling terms.

    The counselor is here to help students solve problems and feel good so that they can succeed in school.  Counselors teach students …

    • how to deal with feelings.
    • how to get along with friends.
    • how to solve problems.
    • how to be good students.
    • how to be safe.
    • about jobs and careers.

  • When May I See My School Counselor?

    Lego bricks with helpful words.

    You may see your school counselor:

    • When your class has a guidance lesson.
    • When I am in a small group with the counselor.
    • When my teacher or parent asks us to meet together.
    • When I write my counselor a note.
    • When the counselor smiles and says “hello” in the hallway or lunchroom.

  • What Will My Counselor Do?

    Picture of helping hands

    My school counselor will listen to me when …

    • I feel sad, afraid, or angry.
    • I have trouble with my school work.
    • I have a problem in my family.

    The counselor also works with teachers, principals, parents, and people in the community so that I can do my best in school.

  • Community Resources

    Globe with children holding hands and the words school counselors make a world of difference

    Gwinnett Helpline
    Need Help? Looking for information or resources in Gwinnett County? You can call the Gwinnett Helpline at 770-995-3339 for information & referrals for family challenges, emergency shelter, health services, childcare, counseling, food, legal services and so much more.

    Food Finder GA
    This link will connect you with free food resources closest to your home, school, or current location. http://foodfinderga.org/

    United Way 2-1-1
    Just dial 2-1-1. It's confidential, free, and available 24-7. Speak with a trained referral specialist who can help you locate programs or services such as: job training, food, domestic violence shelters, family/marital counseling, substance abuse counseling, elderly/child care, volunteer opportunities.

    Counseling and Mental Health Resources

    National Alliance of Mental Illness

    National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

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  • Kindergarten Competencies

    The student will:

    1. Explain the importance of using listening skills at all times
    2. Follow classroom rules and be able to explain what those rules mean
    3. Follow spoken directions given in school
    4. Cultivate school success by taking responsibility for actions (self-control)
    5. Learn about various careers and occupations
    6. Express feelings appropriately and recognize the connections between thoughts, feelings  actions
    7. Develop positive attitudes towards self as a unique and worthy person
    8. Identify and respect  and differences of others
    9. Explore the difference between appropriate and inappropriate touches
    10. Identify strategies for stopping inappropriate touches

  • First Grade Competencies

    The students will:

    1. Acquire skills to improve learning
    2. Use listening skills to follow oral and written directions
    3. Accept mistakes as essential to the learning process
    4. Learn when and how to ask for help with schoolwork
    5. Demonstrate personal responsibility in following rules
    6. Explore personal likes and dislikes as they relate to various careers and occupations
    7. Demonstrate respect for oneself as well as others
    8. Learn about ways to handle disagreements without fighting
    9. Learn how to make and keep friends
    10. Recognize the difference between the feelings associated with appropriate and inappropriate physical contact
    11. Identify strategies for stopping inappropriate touches

  • Second Grade Competencies

    The student will:

    1. Demonstrate the ability to work independently and cooperatively with other students
    2. Practice effective listening skills
    3. Follow multi-step directions
    4. Identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning
    5. Learn connections between education and possible careers and occupations
    6. Learn appropriate decision-making skills
    7. Understand the relationship between behaviors and consequences
    8. Learn conflict resolution skills
    9. Demonstrate ways to show respect for self, others  property
    10. Recognize the difference between the feelings associated with appropriate and inappropriate physical contact
    11. Examine and practice safety skills including preventing/stopping sexual abuse

  • Third Grade Competencies

    The student will:

    1. Develop skills to work independently
    2. Explore effective test-taking strategies and stress management techniques
    3. Follow both written and spoken directions
    4. Practice goal setting, time management, and organizational skills
    5. Understand the differences among various careers and occupations
    6. Work cooperatively in small groups to solve problems
    7. Apply effective problem-solving skills to make safe and healthy choices
    8. Learn appropriate responses to bullying/harassment
    9. Identify sources of positive and negative influences
    10. Use effective communication skills
    11. Develop a healthy self-concept by making positive choices
    12. Examine and practice safety skills including preventing/stopping sexual abuse

  • Fourth Grade Competencies

    The student will:

    1. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses to positively influence school performance
    2. Learn and apply test-taking strategies
    3. Utilize organizational and time management skills to complete school assignments
    4. Learn and apply goal-setting strategies
    5. Explore how hobbies and personal interests relate to careers
    6. Use conflict resolution skills to solve problems effectively
    7. Learn how to prioritize time between work and leisure activities
    8. Accept responsibility and understand  for personal choices
    9. Learn effective strategies related to peer pressure
    10. Identify strategies to cope effectively with personal and classroom difficulties
    11. Recognize and appreciate differences in others
    12. Summarize and practice safety skills including preventing and stopping sexual abuse

  • Fifth Grade Competencies

    The student will:

    1. Apply time management and organizational skills to enhance personal and academic success
    2. Utilize study skills to help achieve goals and reduce test-taking anxiety
    3. Learn strategies to successfully transition to middle school
    4. Identify how hobbies and personal interests influence possible careers and occupations
    5. Develop skills to locate information about possible careers and occupations
    6. Demonstrate skills needed to cope with challenges in daily life
    7. Demonstrate  needed to interact with peers effectively
    8. Demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differences in others
    9. Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills
    10. Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate school behaviors
    11. Identify neglectful, physical and sexually abusive situations and strategies for getting help
    12. Understand the relationship between effective work habits and the world of work