Meet the Counselor at Stonegate

 

Dear Stonegate Community,

 

Let's get ready for an awesome school year! My name is Jaclyn R. Berning, and I am thrilled to be your guidance counselor at Stonegate! I am honored to be part of such an amazing community of staff, parents, and students.

 

Prior to this great opportunity, I was a third grade teacher at Fields Road Elementary School in Montgomery County. During my time as a teacher, I was able to work towards achieving my counseling degree at Johns Hopkins University. I have obtained my Post Masters in Counseling At-Risk Youth and I am PPW certified (Pupil Personnel Worker). In addition, I am currently working on becoming a Licensed Certified Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). I earned my undergraduate degree in elementary and middle school education at the University of Maryland, College Park. I am also a veteran student of Montgomery County Public Schools, and have truly enjoyed my years in such a rigorous and dedicated school-system.

As we start a new and exciting year, I am here as a resource to assist all stake-holders during this transitional period. I feel the role of the school counselor is to serve as an advocate, consultant, facilitator, team-member, and support system. In addition, as your school counselor I will strive to assist in the growth of the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to a diverse, dynamic society by encouraging access, equity and social justice to all.

 

The Counseling Program at Stonegate Elementary School is comprehensive in scope and is based on the American Schoool Counselor Association (ASCA) national standards as well as the MCPS School Counseling Program. Furthermore, the Stonegate Counseling Program for the school year will encourage academic, career, personal, interpersonal, and healthy development. Using the Stonegate mission statement as a foundation to the Counseling Program, I will model the following “Core Values”: respect, responsibility, collaboration and commitment during my teachings and support sessions. This program connects to our school-wide theme of “Riding the Wave of Success” and is designed to instill in students a strong sense of character.

 

During the school year, I will implement classroom guidance lessons, one-on-one counseling, group counseling during lunch/recess time, as well as additional services needed and/or requested. My focus is to promote interpersonal relationships among students resulting in a positive and successful learning environment.

 

Please do not hesitate to call or email me if your child is having difficulties with self-esteem, peers, family, academics, etc.

 

I am looking forward to a super year!

 

Truly,

Mrs. Jaclyn R. Berning

 

Stonegate Sharks…Riding the Waves of Success!