Counseling

Get to Know Your Counselor

Name: Shundra Hopkins

Hello Lister Lions, Families, and Community Members!

My name is Shundra Hopkins, and I am proud to serve as the school counselor at Lister Elementary. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from Texas A&M University–Commerce, along with a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership.

My career in education began as a 5th-grade English Language Arts teacher at Amber Terrace Elementary in DeSoto ISD. After joining Garland ISD, I served in several roles, including substitute teacher, interventionist, and classroom teacher, gaining valuable experience supporting students in a variety of ways.

I joined the Lister Elementary family during the 2023–2024 school year, and I am excited to continue working with our students, staff, and families during the 2025–2026 school year. As the school counselor, my goal is to support the academic, social-emotional, and personal growth of every Lister Lion.

If I can support you or your child in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to partnering with you for a wonderful and successful school year!

Vision statement

The vision of the Lister Elementary School Counseling Program is that all students will develop the confidence, character, and skills needed to become lifelong learners and responsible citizens. Lister Lions will be equipped to achieve academic success, build positive relationships, demonstrate resilience, and pursue their goals with purpose as they prepare for future college, career, and life opportunities.

Mission statement

The mission of the Lister Elementary School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program that supports the academic achievement, social-emotional development, and college and career awareness of all students. Through collaboration with families, staff, and the community, the program equips every Lister Lion with the skills, mindset, and resilience needed to become responsible learners, positive leaders, and successful contributors to their future.

What can my school counselor do for me?

The Lister Elementary School Counseling Program provides support to help students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. School counselors work with students, families, and staff to ensure every child has the tools and support needed to reach their goals.

School counselors assist students by:

Helping students develop strong study skills and academic habits
Providing college and career awareness information
Supporting positive student-teacher relationships
Helping students learn healthy ways to cope with family or personal challenges
Listening and offering guidance when students have concerns about friendships or peer relationships
Teaching life skills and decision-making strategies
Referring students and families to community resources or outside support when needed
Serving as an advocate for students to help ensure their needs are met

All counselors in Garland ISD are state-certified in School Counseling, hold a Master’s degree, and have prior classroom teaching experience. Each elementary campus has a dedicated school counselor to ensure students receive the support they need to grow, learn, and succeed.

For more information about the Garland ISD Guidance and Counseling Program, please visit the district website.

Bullying

Anonymous alerts

You can use the Anonymous Alerts® web form or mobile app to quickly, easily, and anonymously report bullying, cyberbullying, and other sensitive topics to school officials.

Anonymous Alerts® is monitored by GISD Security 24 hours a day and should only be used for serious and urgent matters. In the event of an emergency or life-threatening event, always call 911.

Submit an Anonymous Alert®

Download the app

First, download the free Anonymous Alerts® app from the Apple App Store or Google Play store to place a report from a mobile device. Then open the app and enter the activation code garlandisd.

Quicklinks