Counselor’s Corner
School Counselor: Ms. Tina Engler
Counseling Mission
Professional school counselors are leaders who advocate, collaborate, and facilitate individual and system change to ensure every student has the knowledge and skills necessary for academic success and personal growth.
Counseling Vision
As professional school counselors we envision schools which provide equitable access to opportunities and supports and which empower students to embrace their full potential and to strive to achieve their personal and academic aspirations.
Counseling Program Rationale
By aligning a counseling program with Fox Chapel's mission, vision, and School Improvement Plan (S.I.P), professional school counselors:
- partner as leaders in systematic change
- ensure equity and success
- promote academic, career, personal, interpersonal and healthy development for every student
The School Counselor and PBIS
The school counselor teaches skills in the 5 MCPS Student Counseling Standards: Academic Development, Personal Development, Interpersonal Development, Career Development, and Healthy Development.
In alignment with these MCPS Student Counseling Standards, the Fox Chapel counselor will teach specifically to the Fox Chapel PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Expectations: Be Trustworthy, Respect Others, Be Appreciative, Inspire Others and Be Leaders.
Individual Counseling
The school counselor addresses individual needs, and concerns which can impede academic achievement. Students can self-refer themselves to see the counselor when needed through “A Note to Ms. Engler” forms located in each classroom, or simply by just writing a note. Students then place these in the mailbox on the Counseling Office door. Parents and teachers can also refer their students to see the counselor at any time without a form.
Small Group Counseling
The school counselor leads "lunch bunches", which are small groups, to teach skills and provide support in specific areas of need such as improving social interactions with peers, positive conflict resolution, leadership skills, improving classroom behavior, adjustment to school, family changes, study skills, organizational skills, self-concept and esteem, and coping skills. Groups are 30 minutes in duration, meet during lunch for 6-8 weeks, and groups consist of no more than 6 students.
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Classroom lessons are a collaborative effort between teachers and counselors. The counselor works with the teachers to meet the needs of each classroom. Lessons are focused on the Fox Chapel PBIS Expectations as well as the 5 MCPS Student Counseling Standards.
Some topics may include:
- The 5 PBIS Behavioral Expectations
- Friendship/Kindness
- Conflict Resolution
- Bullying
- Effective Effort
- Careers
- Middle School Transition
- Test Taking
- Making Good Choices
- Peer Pressure
School Program Support
The school counselor supports school programs, school climate, and academic achievement. Alongside staff, the counselor provides incentives to students who model the Fox Chapel Behavioral Expectations. As implemented, students will earn a Paw Point for demonstrating these behaviors. Through the distribution of Paw Points to students, staff members reinforce Character Education as they reward students for positive behavior.
Helpful Links from Ms. Engler