Counselor's Connection.....

Mrs. Tammy Hofer, MA, LPC

Murphy Elementary School Counselor

(636) 343-5466 x775

thofer@nwr1.k12.mo.us

___________________________________

I hope you all have a great summer!! I am glad you stopped by to visit my page. Most people are familar with the role of a Guidance Counselor at the secondary level, but very few people know what us Elementary Guidance Counselors do. I often get questions from parents wanting to know what my role is and how I can be of service to their child(ren), so I thought this might be a great place to explain a little of what I do .

In general, I would say that my role is that of a coordinator, developer, educator, mediator, and all-around problem-solver. As a coordinator, my job is to coordinate and develop various programs such as our school Character Education program, our Red Ribbon Week activities (Substance Abuse Prevention Awareness), coordinate testing schedules and materials for MAP, and to coordinate/facilitate our Positive Support Team (PST) to help students who are academically at-risk. In addition,  I develop and run support groups for students who are struggling with particular issues (i.e. study skills, social skills, parents' divorce, anger-management, grief, etc.), develop behavior plans to get students back on track behaviorally, meet with individual and groups of students to mediate conflict and help students cope with various issues. I also develop & teach guidance lessons in all classrooms to help students better understand themselves, others, & how to deal with everyday problems that arise. The main topics I focus on is bullying prevention, conflict resolution, substance &abuse prevention, making friends, making good choices & careers.  Another important aspect of my role as elementary school counselor is to offer support to struggling students, parents, and teachers as issues and needs arise.

Should you need assistance with your child and/or have questions regarding ways that I may be of help, please feel free to contact me at the above phone number or email me through the contacts page on Murphy Elementary's main web page .  I know that together we can help make the 2012-2013 school year a success for your child!!