School Counseling

Empathy. Respect. Compassion. Kindness. Advocacy.
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School Counselors serve as advocates for students and work to support them academically, vocationally, and socially/emotionally. It is our goal to ensure that each student has the skills they need to thrive and to support them in times of difficulty. This is done through services such as individual counseling, group sessions, and classroom guidance.

I want each student at E.K. Baker to have an incredible year! If you have a question/concern regarding your student, please contact me at (423) 745-2760 or email sbrannon@mcminnschools.com. I am here to help!

BULLETIN BOARD

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Compassion Closet

The McMinn County Education Foundation has generously funded our Compassion Closet program for students in need. Students may take clothes, hygiene products, and other items when needed.

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Friendship Group

Mrs. Brannon's "Friendship Group" is a service provided during lunchtime to all students who are interested AND have a permission from signed by a parent/guardian.

The purpose of Friendship Group is to provide students with a safe place to connect with other students in a weekly small group setting facilitated by Mrs. Brannon in which they address key areas such as academic, behavioral, emotional, and social skills. Students learn from one another and begin to develop essential life skills, discover and develop their own strengths, and set and achieve goals. Simply put, Friendship group is a fun, safe place where students can have fun building friendships, essential skills, and goals.

These groups will take place once a week during students' lunchtime and will NOT interfere with classroom instruction. Students who turn in a permission form are not required to come each time, but rather are invited and encouraged to come. Participation is not mandatory, and no grades are assigned for this group.

*If you are interested in this group for your child or have questions, please contact me at the school's phone number (423)-745-2760.

Mission Statement

Our mission at E.K Baker is to deliver a comprehensive school counseling program to all students that supports them in becoming well-rounded, life-long learners who know and recognize their skills, attitudes, abilities, self-worth, and value as well as positively contribute to society through their talents, interests, and passions. Through data-driven delivery of both direct (guidance lessons, groups, individual student planning, counseling) and indirect (collaboration, consultation, referrals, planning) student services, this program will positively benefit students and help them excel in their academic, career, and social/emotional development.

Vision Statement

Students will thrive in the domains of academics, career/vocational preparedness, and social/emotional skills. Students will become leaders, life-long learners, and successful, productive citizens who actively use their talents and skills to contribute to society and make a positive impact on others. Students will learn self-advocacy and advocacy for others. Students will recognize their self-worth and grow to be confident in themselves and their abilities. Students will rise when faced with challenges and will not give up when circumstances are difficult.

Beliefs

The E.K. Baker School Counselor believes:

  • All students can learn, and All students can succeed in a nurturing, welcoming, and equitable school environment.

  • Every student deserves respect, empathy, compassion, kindness, and advocacy.

  • Every student should have access to and the opportunity for high-quality education.

  • All students can positively benefit from a well-rounded, data-driven comprehensive school counseling program that promotes academic growth, career/vocational guidance and opportunities, and social/emotional well-being.

  • With supportive networks and positive relationships with safe adults, students have the resources to become “thrivers” when faced with difficult challenges and difficulties.

  • All students can depend on school counselors to advocate for students, lead in the school community, and uphold professional and ethical standards effectively and passionately.

  • Effective school counseling is a collaborative process involving counselors, students, families, teachers, staff, administrators, and education stakeholders.

Comprehensive Program Goals

  • Use data-driven approaches to deliver a comprehensive school counseling program that helps students improve in academic, career, and social/emotional well-being.

  • Help students thrive in a safe learning environment through positivity, accountability, and encouragement.

  • Promote developmental interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with peers and safe adults.

  • Help students grow towards a career/vocation through their unique talents and interests through assessments, lessons, and individual student planning.

  • Provide ongoing individual, small, and large-group counseling to students based on specific needs and objectives.

  • Collaborate and consult with other professionals and stakeholders to grow the program and increase community engagement.

  • Collect and retain data throughout each school year and analyze it for program evaluation and improvement.

Ethical Standards

As a professional school counselor, I am dedicated to upholding high ethical standards in my practice in order to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and leadership. I believe that a successful comprehensive school counseling program is incomplete without being guided by such standards. The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) outlines ethical standards to guide professional school counselors as part of their mission to support all school counseling professionals.

EthicalStandards.pdf (schoolcounselor.org)

How School Counselors Help

  • Classroom Lessons

  • Small Groups

  • Individual Counseling

  • Individual Student Planning

  • Consultation

  • Community Resources 

Parent Resources

School counselors work to provide excellent sources of information on in-school and outside-community resources for students and parents (ASCA, 2021). If you need additional information/assistance, please contact the school counselor!

Website Resources

Community Resources

Mental Health Resources