Westland MS - Counseling

As an integral part of the International Baccalaureate World School community, it is the mission of the Westland MS Counseling Department to support the development of “inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” We work in partnership with all stakeholders to promote every student’s academic success, personal, interpersonal and healthy development, and long term planning and goal setting.

Vision Statement

It is the vision of the Westland Middle School Counseling Department to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all students are empowered academically, socially and emotionally to reach their personal and academic potential.

Counselors

Counselor assignment can be found on your child’s schedule

	Resource Counselor Mrs. Winston I am excited to join the Westland Middle School community as the Resource Counselor and look forward to partnering with our students, families, and staff to create a positive and supportive learning environment. With eight years of experience in education and entering my sixth year as a School Counselor, I have served students at both the elementary and high school levels, gaining valuable experience supporting their academic, social-emotional, and college and career development. I earned my bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Penn State University, my master's degree in School Counseling from Liberty University, and my Educational Administrator Graduate Certificate from Towson University. I am passionate about building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and leading a comprehensive school counseling program that ensures every student feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential. I am honored to lead the counseling department at Westland and am committed to working alongside our staff and families to help every student thrive. I look forward to an outstanding school year and encourage you to reach out anytime with questions, concerns, or ways I can support your student and family!
	Counselor, 8th Grade Ms. Castro Ms. Castro received her B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Counseling from San Francisco State University and her M.A. in Counseling Education from San Jose State University in California. She has over 15 years of experience as a school counselor, working predominantly at the high school level with some experience at the middle school level. In addition to her work in schools, she is a licensed clinical professional counselor providing outpatient therapy to adolescents and adults outside the school system.
	Counselor, 7th Grade Lauren Corboy Ms. Corboy received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Iowa and her Master's of Education in School Counseling from DePaul University. This will be Ms. Corboy 7^th year as a school counselor and 4th year at Westland Middle School!
	Counseling Secretary/Registrar Alva Montano Rivas Ms. Montano was born and raised in Montgomery County. This is her second year in the counseling department. Previously, she worked within other MCPS schools in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Ms. Montano is excited to be working with our Westland community.
	Counselor 6th Grade Laura Williams Ms. Williams received her B.A. from Middlebury College in English and her master's and certificate of advanced studies in school counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This will be her ninth year as a school counselor, and she has worked at both the middle and high school levels in MCPS.

Delivery of Services

Our School Counseling Program supports academic, personal, interpersonal, career, and healthy development through individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom guidance. Counselors collaborate with Westland MS staff members, students, parents, and community professionals to identify student needs and to provide the support and resources necessary to maximize personal and interpersonal growth.