Meet The School Counselor

a year ago

Andrea Zimmon

NFMS School Counselor


Thank you for visiting the North Fork Middle School Counseling website!  I encourage you to browse the information and click on the links to external sites.  Whether you are a student, parent/guardian, or a teacher, there should be plenty of useful information here!


I am originally from Springfield, VA, a suburb of Washington, D.C.  I attended James Madison University and received my Bachelor of Science in Psychology.  As a huge Dukes fan, I stayed at JMU and received my Master of Education in School Counseling.  Go Dukes!


I have been the School Counselor at NFMS since August 2011.  In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing with my cat, exploring Shenandoah County, surfing Pinterest, and watching home decorating and cooking shows.


Contact Mrs. Zimmon

540-477-1195

amzimmon@shenandoah.k12.va.us








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School Counseling Program

a year ago

Mission Statement


The Mission Statement of the NFMS Professional School Counseling Program is to provide all students with the necessary tools to reach their fullest potential in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development. 


PHILOSOPHY

The Statement of Philosophy of the NFMS Professional School Counseling Program is that all students have the ability to learn.  However, personal and social concerns sometimes interfere with academic progress.  Tools in dealing with these situations need to be provided to students.  It is also the philosophy that program evaluations need to take place to ensure the counseling program is meeting the needs of all students.


Why Middle School Counselors? 

Source: American School Counselor Association (ASCA) 

Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world, and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team member with school staff, parents/guardians and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby young adolescents can achieve academic success. 

Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community. The professional middle school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership is encouraged as it enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.


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Counselor's Role

a year ago

Individual Counseling


I am here to listen to student concerns. Meeting with students one-on-one is based upon teacher, parent/guardian, or self-referrals. I am available for short-term counseling and on-going monitoring of students. If students are in need of long-term counseling, I can help provide parents/guardians with information about local resources.

Small Groups


Small groups are for several students within the same grade level. A needs assessment is distributed at the beginning of the year to identify topics that students are interested in talking about. Students are invited to be a part of the group depending on the topic of interest and parent/guardian permission is required. Groups are usually for 6-10 weeks and are held during lunch. Some of the topics for groups include anger management, healthy body image, friendships, study skills, etc.

Classroom Guidance


I work with classroom teachers in providing lessons to students on certain topics. Some of the lessons include an introduction to school counseling, career exploration, bully prevention, etc.

Crisis Counseling


I work with students who are self-harming, threatening suicide, talking about an abusive home-life, threatening to hurt someone else, etc. If faculty and staff are aware of students who are experiencing these challenges, they are instructed to let me or an administrator know right away.  I am also on-call for any instances that occur beyond the school day with NFMS students and families.

Mediation


Mediation is held when two or more students are having conflicts that are interfering with the school day. This service is offered to help these students come up with solutions to the situation so they can move forward in a positive way

Consultation and Collaboration


I am here to provide support not only to the students, but also those who are taking care of the students. I consult with many individuals in order to better assist a child. These individuals include: parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, school staff, and other professional counselors, community resources, etc.

Plan and Implement School-Wide Events


Including Red Ribbon Week, Anti-Bullying Campaigns, Kick Butts Week, and other awareness weeks.

Meetings


I attend a variety of meetings in order to stay well informed about things that are happening around the school. These include: grade levels, related arts ILTs, office meetings, child study, special education meetings, faculty meetings, etc.

New Students


When new students are enrolled at NFMS, I make their schedule and communicate this to teachers. I also greet the students on their first day of school, give them a tour, and introduce them to a friend. In addition, I check on them throughout the day and during the first week to make sure the transition is as smooth as possible.


Scheduling


In the spring, I schedule grade-wide presentations regarding course registration. I also give a presentation to 4th graders at the elementary school regarding middle school transition and course selection. I assist with 5th grade orientation and organize the tour component of the visit. I work with administration in developing and updating the master schedule, help assess the placement of students in classes, and use PowerSchool to electronically schedule students. In addition, I address schedule change requests.

GATE Interviewer


The Gifted and Talented Education teacher will give me names of students to interview when they are going through the qualification process. I meet with students on an individual basis and conduct the interview. I am also a member of the GATE selection committee.

Holiday Assistance


I organize Thanksgiving Assistance (food items) and Holiday Assistance (gifts and hygiene products) throughout the months of November and December.

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School Counseling Program

Mission Statement The Mission Statement of the NFMS Professional School Counseling Program is to provide all students with the necessary tools to reach their fullest potential in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development.

Philosophy The Statement of Philosophy of the NFMS Professional School Counseling Program is that all students have the ability to learn. However, personal and social concerns sometimes interfere with academic progress. Tools in dealing with these situations need to be provided to students. It is also the philosophy that program evaluations need to take place to ensure the counseling program is meeting the needs of all students.

Why Middle School Counselors? Source: American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth, curiosity about their world, and an emerging self-identity. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team member with school staff, parents/guardians and the community to create a caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby young adolescents can achieve academic success. Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community. The professional middle school counselor holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership is encouraged as it enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

Lunch N' Learn

a year ago

Animal Trainer

Meets with students to explore career options


Lunch N' Learn is a career exploration program that was established by Mrs. Zimmon in the Fall of 2014. The program has been designed with the intention of having guest speakers come in during all lunches a few times a month to talk about their career. Mrs. Zimmon announces upcoming Lunch N' Learn sessions and "advertises" the careers to all students with an open invitation for them to attend any session that they are interested in. Students are instructed to grab their lunch, sign-out in the cafeteria, and go to the Chorus room to listen to the guest speaker. Guest speakers are encouraged to share the path they took to pursue their career. In addition, I encourage them to highlight how they use skills such as reading, writing, math, etc. in their particular field. At the end of each session, we allow for Questions and Answers. Presentations last about 15-20 minutes and are repeated for each of the 3 grades. Positive feedback about this program from students, staff, and guest speakers has been overwhelming! This program would not be possible without networking and reaching out to various fields in the community for volunteer guest speakers. If you or someone you know would be interested in talking to our students, please contact Mrs. Zimmon!

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Confidentiality Notice

Mrs. Zimmon's counseling services are strictly confidential. Her office is a safe place for students/guardians/teachers to express concerns. However, if a student is in danger, she will report it to the necessary personnel.