The mission of Kilmer Middle School's counseling program is to impact student success and empower students by addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students in collaboration with educators, parents/guardians, and the community.
Kilmer Middle School has received the Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program honor for its exemplary commitment to a comprehensive counseling program.
Sarah Fontana
Director, Student Services
703.846.8806
safontana@fcps.edu
Susan Niebergall
Lead Counselor
703.846.8818
ssniebergall@fcps.edu
Danielle Hornbecker
Counselor
703.846.8817
dshornbecker@fcps.edu
Brian Sirdofsky
Counselor
703.846.8807
basirdofsky@fcps.edu
Li-Lin Sun
Counselor
703.846.8819
lsun@fcps.edu
Marsha Alter
Social Worker
703.846.8861
mjalter@fcps.edu
Heather Tully
School Psychologist
703.846.8861
hatully@fcps.edu
Doreen Langesen
Student Services Assistant
703.846.8806
dalangesen@fcps.edu
WHAT THE KILMER MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM DOES
Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement for all students by providing services to students, parents/guardians, school staff, and the community in the following areas:
STUDENTS
Professional school counselors develop confidential relationships with students to help them resolve or cope with problems and developmental concerns. In addition, they provide:
•Academic support services
•Individual academic, career, and personal/social planning
•Individual or group counseling
•Crisis management and responsive counseling services
•Transition programs
•Referrals to support services or community resources
•Advocacy
•Information
•Classroom lessons
PARENTS/ GUARDIANS
•Information
•Parent conferences
•Consultation
•School-to-parent communication
•Referrals to support services or community resources
TEACHERS
•Provide recommendations and assist students with the post-secondary application process
•Classroom guidance lessons
•Academic support and education to help students succeed academically
•Classroom speakers
•At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
ADMINISTRATORS
•Improve school climate
•Provide academic support interventions
•Assist with behavioral management plans
•School-wide needs assessments
•Share data to enhance academic success of all students
COMMUNITY
•Job shadowing, worked-based learning, part-time jobs, etc.
•Referrals
•Career educationROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Portions taken from the ASCA National Model Revised June 2004
The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address all students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs. Professional school counselors implement a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student achievement. Professional school counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high and high schools and in district supervisory, counselor education and post-secondary settings. Their work is differentiated by attention to developmental stages of student growth, including the needs, tasks and student interests related to those stages.
Professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student achievement. Incorporating leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. Collaborating with other stakeholders to promote student achievement, professional school counselors address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Professional school counselors have a master’s degree or higher in school counseling or the substantial equivalent, meet the state certification/licensure standards and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed. They uphold the ethical and professional standards of professional counseling associations and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model: foundation, delivery, management and accountability.
