Resources and Support

School Counselor

Children's Resources	Family Resources
Counseling Services/Resources	Character Traits
Mission/Vision

Counselor's Corner

Welcome to the School Counseling webpage! My name is Lisa Maher, the School Counselor and this marks my 13th year at Eldersburg! My webpage was designed to provide you with a wealth of counseling related topics and resources.

During the year, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s academic and/or social/emotional health and well-being, please contact me at school at either (410) 751-3520 or (410) 795-1702 

I look forward to working with you and your children this year! :-) I wish all of our Eldersburg families a healthy, happy, and safe 2022-2023 academic year! 

What is a School Counselor?

A certified, trained, and caring professional who is available to work with all students, parents, teachers, and staff in order to help students achieve academic and social success. The School Counseling program is delivered through the following four services:

Classroom Guidance Curriculum – developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that correspond to the needs of the K-5 population. Lessons encompass academic, career, and/or personal/social goals.

Individual Student Planning – assists students in academic planning, decision-making, and goal-setting.

Responsive Services – address students’ immediate academic and/or social/emotional needs through individual counseling, group counseling, collaboration with teachers, staff, and parents, consultation with professionals in the counseling field, coordinating services for students and families, and crisis prevention and intervention.

System Support – school wide program planning, implementation, and support (PBIS, School Improvement Planning, Instructional Support Team, Pupil Services Team).

What are the 3 "C's" of Counseling?

1. Consultation and Collaboration – the School Counselor consults and collaborates with teachers and school staff, specialists, and outside resources in order to assist students. Communicating with parents is an integral part of the Counselor’s role. Please feel free to address any concerns you may have regarding your child with the Counselor. Also, the Counselor can refer you to outside counseling resources.
2. Coordination – the School Counselor will work with teachers, staff, and parents to assess the needs of the students in order to create and implement the best possible services. The program will also be evaluated for success throughout the school year.
3. Counseling – the School Counselor will 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, grief and loss, friendship, stress/anxiety, academics, bullying, 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 5-8 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/social skills, work habits/study skills, anger management, self-esteem, anxiety and stress management.

Classroom Guidance

A process that includes planning and conducting developmentally appropriate classroom lessons based on student needs. The following classroom guidance topics will be addressed during the ’19-’20 academic year for the K-5 population:

Kindergarten – emotional awareness and friendship skills

First Grade – work habits (working quietly, staying on task, always trying, listening, and paying attention

Second Grade – problem solving (differentiating between small and big problems and learning strategies for solving problems)

Third Grade – work habits/study skills (completing tasks on time, following directions, doing your best, paying attention, working hard, test taking strategies)

Fourth Grade – emotional intelligence (recognizing and understanding feelings/perceptions in self and others; recognizing and understanding differences; assertiveness

Fifth Grade – career awareness program culminating in a “Career Fair” in March

Programs Coordinated by the Counselor

• Character Education – incorporated in classroom guidance lessons and through PBIS program
• PBIS team leader (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)
• Bully Prevention (coordinate with Health teacher)
• “Adopt a Family” project (Christmas time)
• Career Awareness program and “Career Fair” in 5th grade
• Mentors
• After School Clubs
• Service Learning

Counseling Resources Used to Assist Students

• Books
• Art
• Play
• Sand box
• Letter writing
  Videos
• Role Playing
• Games
• Puppets
• Counseling programs and activities

Please stay tuned for upcoming counseling events and activities!!