School Counseling Program Introduction

Welcome back to a new and exciting school year!  

My name is Mrs. Thilges (Til-jes).  Most kids call me Mrs. T..  My husband, Leo, and I have three children, Ethan who is 7 years old, Bennett who is 5 years, and a 3-year-old daughter named Alanna.  We live in Cedar Falls.  I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2004 with my Master’s in Social Work and have added a school counseling endorsement to my license.  Before joining the Denver Cyclones in 2010, I served Maquoketa Valley, Starmont, and Edgewood-Colesburg districts as a school social worker from Keystone Area Education Agency for 6 years. 

Our family enjoys being outside together, camping and going on walks, playing games, spending time with our extended family, cooking and baking together, and watching movies.  Leo works at Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo as a senior loan officer and loves to golf and watch the Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes and UNI Panthers play sports.  I enjoy drawing, making crafts, and reading.

WHAT IS AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

An Elementary School Counselor is a Masters level certified school counselor who has acquired specialization in counseling children in the areas of academic achievement, personal growth, social development, and career awareness.  Here at Denver Community Schools, the school counselors often function as liaisons between home, school and the community to offer the best supports to each student. We also serve as active participants on all student support teams.

HOW DO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR’S HELP?

A school counselors’ main role is to help each student by serving as a child advocate. In elementary school students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. Children at this age are beginning to develop a sense of self and confidence in their abilities. They are also building decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as acquiring attitudes toward school, work habits, peers, social groups and family. These different aspects of a child’s life begin to develop in the elementary years and serve as the foundation for future success in adulthood.  Our goal is to foster this growth by creating and implementing a comprehensive developmental school counseling program which enhances the knowledge, attitudes and skills that your child acquires in the areas of academic, personal, social, and career development.

ARE ELEMENTARY COUNSELORS IN THE CLASSROOM?

At Denver Schools we offer a comprehensive guidance program that includes a developmental curriculum for all of our students from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Throughout the school year, I present classroom lessons focusing on some of the following developmental issues: initiating and maintaining friendships, appreciating/celebrating diversity, stress management strategies, conflict resolution strategies, enhancing self- confidence and self-awareness, expressing feelings, empathy development, and goal-setting.  Through developmental lessons held once per cycle, students begin to comprehend and attain coping, social, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.

WHAT TOPICS/ISSUES DO ELEMENTARY COUNSELORS SEE IN COUNSELING?

Not only am I present for each student in every classroom; I am also available to students in a more private setting.  I may work with students in individual counseling or in small group counseling.  Individual concerns regarding home, school, or peer issues, may be discussed.  Common topics include: peer issues/conflict, worries, time-management, grief, family changes, transitions, and social skills.  I also offer groups on topics such as: transitioning to school, friendship/social skills, self-esteem, and changing families. Counseling groups vary and are conducted according to specific school needs.

HOW CAN A CHILD SEE THE COUNSELOR?

Students are taught how to self-refer at the start of each school year.  Students often refer themselves to the counselor by completing a form in their classroom (or by speaking with the counselor or teacher).  If your child talks to you about filling out a “referral” or making an appointment with Mrs. T., that is how they set up a time with me.  A concerned parent, peer, or teacher may also refer a student to the counseling office if they have a specific concern.  I often meet with students during lunch or recess and minimize missing learning time as much as possible.  Sometimes students are invited to a friendly “lunch bunch”.  Students enjoy this time to just share with me about what is happening in their lives.  Your child is not in trouble when he or she visits with the counselor.

DO COUNSELORS WORK WITH FAMILIES?

One of the most important roles of a school counselor is collaboration.  I believe strongly in working cooperatively with all of the key players in our students’ lives, specifically, parents and school staff.  We pride ourselves on the relationships that we develop with both our students and their families at Denver Elementary.  I am available to meet with parents as needed.  I am often invited to participate in parent/teacher conferences and I work alongside parents and school staff as part of the General Education Intervention (GEI) team. 

I am also available to you as a resource.  We understand that parents need information and support with the challenging job of raising children.  Therefore, we try to provide our families with information on topics that are pertinent to what they may be experiencing with their child.  We encourage you to call us with any questions or concerns you may have.  I hope that you have found this information helpful in understanding my role at school.

Emily Thilges

K-7 School Counselor

ethilges@denver.k12.ia.us