Counseling

Meet Mrs. Ballard

Hello Kimberlin Knights! I am so excited to continue as part of this amazing KAE family.

A few things to know about me…

· Elementary school is my favorite place to be! I have eight years of school counseling experience and eighteen years as an elementary school teacher.

· I am a graduate of Texas A&M University – Commerce with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Education). I am also a graduate of Lamar University with a Master’s Degree in school counseling.

· My husband is a high school counselor in Garland ISD. He and I share two amazing daughters. One is an elementary school teacher and the other is just starting her career as a licensed professional counselor.

· When I am not in school, I love reading, enjoy playing with our dogs, try learning to bake new things, and spending time with family and friend.

· One of the things I most love about school counseling is that I am part of a student’s educational journey from kindergarten through fifth grade. It is an incredible opportunity to be here to see our Knights grow in so many ways from year to year and getting to build relationships with students and their families. Supporting our students, their families, and this incredible staff brings me great joy!

What can my counselor do for me?

School Counselors, in collaboration with educators, help students develop the following skills:

· Identifying and managing our own emotions

· Developing a growth mindset

· Working with others as a team

· Building confidence

· Communication skills

· Demonstrating empathy and compassion

· Conflict resolution

· Developing positive relationships

· Advocating for yourself and others

· Identifying solutions for social and personal problems

· Understanding and expressing gratitude

School Counselors promote growth in the above areas in the following ways:

· Teaching classroom guidance lessons to all students

· Providing small group opportunities to practice specific skills and build supportive networks amongst peers

· Leading our school in providing daily social and emotional learning opportunities, as well as promoting our P.R.I.D.E. behavior program.

· Individual school counseling sessions to help students with specific skills.

· Special emphasis weeks that build student/staff awareness and provide a safer learning environment for all students. Some of these special emphasis weeks are: Bullying Prevention Week, Red Ribbon Week, Kindness Week, and Community Giving Opportunities.

School Counselors can also help students and families by:

· Providing one-on-one crisis counseling, such as for students dealing with divorce, grief, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation, academic concerns, and a multitude of other issues.

· Provide small-group counseling to help students manage anxiety, build confidence, develop positive peer relationships, manage anger, develop effective study skills, or practice self-control.

· Provide referrals for physical and mental wellness community resources, such as licensed professional counseling agencies, food pantries, clothing resources, and other wellness agencies.

· Provide additional support for military connected families, students in foster care, and families who are homeless.

· Support fifth grade students as they transition to middle school with academic advising, career investigation, managing emotions, and preparing for changes.

· Being your advocate – school counselors are here for you!

Social and Emotional Learning School of Excellence

We are proud to be recognized by GISD as a Gold Level Social and Emotional Learning School of Excellence!

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important part of well-rounded student instruction. SEL develops skills that help GISD students grow academically, emotionally and socially. Our staff works as a team to support all students in developing self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills. These skills prepare students for success in school, work, and in life. People with strong social and emotional skills are better able to manage everyday challenges, their emotions, and achieve positive goals

Bullying

No student should be subjected to bullying or harassment that interferes with their ability to learn or their safety.

Visit the Bullying Prevention and Investigation page on the district website for more information and resources.

KAE Counseling Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Kimberlin Academy for Excellence school counseling program is to empower and support all students in reaching their full potential to achieve academic success, social emotional growth, and the skills to be successful and find joy in an ever-changing world. We strive to build meaningful connections with students, families, and staff members that promote a positive school climate, fostering acceptance of diversity, empathy and kindness for all, and perseverance through life’s challenges.

KAE Counseling Program Vision Statement

The vision of Kimberlin Academy’s school counseling program is that we will meet the needs of the “whole child” – mind, heart, and bodies, for all students. We will guide and empower students to become life-long learners that are college and career ready. Our students will make the world a better place by meeting their college and career goals, demonstrating excellent character, and demonstrating empathy for others through community service.

We pledge to be drug free!

Red Ribbon Week, the fourth week in October, is a week of alcohol and other drug awareness activities that promotes a drug-free lifestyle. Wearing a red ribbon signifies a unified effort to support a drug free environment.

To help promote drug and alcohol awareness, Kimberlin has a "theme week". Each day of Red Ribbon Week, students and staff participate in the "theme of the day". This year's theme schedule is sure to be a fun way to help students choose to be drug free.

K-Kids

K-Kids is a community service organization for fourth and fifth grade Knights. We are sponsored by the Rowlett Kiwanis Club. Our goal is to develop leadership potential by working together in service to our school and community. Through this service, our members get hands-on experience working as a team, practicing empathy, and also learn creative ways to make a positive impact in the world around us.

Some of our monthly projects have included planting flowers around our school, making sandwiches for the homeless, reading with kindergarten students, welcoming students and staff upon arrival, and creating motivational grocery bags for a food pantry.

Meetings are held monthly at 7:30am on our campus. Parents are encouraged to keep an eye out on ClassDojo for information about joining and details about our first meeting in September, 2024.

Sponsors: Charlotte Ballard and Brandy Danyluk

The K-Kids’ pledge:

“As a K-Kid, I promise to serve my neighborhood and my school; I will show respect toward my environment; and I will try to make the world a better place in which to live.”

Anonymous Alerts®

Report bullying and other urgent student concerns quickly and anonymously to school officials with Anonymous Alerts®.

Find out more about Anonymous Alerts® and other ways to get in touch on the district share & report page.

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