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Guidance, Counseling, and Mentoring

email link icon Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley [ vasanne_s_tinsley@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us ], Assistant Director
5839 Memorial Drive
Stone Mountain, GA  30083
678.676.1883
678.676.1888 (fax)

The mission of the Guidance, Counseling, and Mentoring department is to support the development of student competencies in the academic, personal/social, and career domains (learning to learn, learning to live, learning to work) ensuring that students achieve success and are prepared to be productive members of society.

Goals

  • alignment of each professional school counseling program with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model for Comprehensive School Guidance
  • assisting all students in acquiring the appropriate attitude, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span
  • assisting all students with the identification of the appropriate resources needed for academic preparation and post-secondary options
  • assisting schools with school improvement and achievement of adequate yearly progress (AYP) status by supporting students, reducing dropout and academic failure rates, and increasing the attendance and high school graduation rate of students

Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (RAMP) Recognition

Thirteen of our school counseling programs have received recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Program distinction from the American School Counselors Association. We are extremely proud of the following schools for receiving this national recognition:

  • Browns Mill Elementary School
  • Cedar Grove Middle School
  • The Champion School
  • Chapel Hill Middle School
  • Chesnut Elementary Charter School
  • DeKalb Alternative School
  • Lithonia Middle School
  • M.L. King, Jr. High School
  • Midway Elementary School
  • Miller Grove High School
  • Snapfinger Elementary School
  • Towers High School

Preparing Our Students for Smooth Transitions

The Guidance, Counseling and Mentoring department provides professional development, resources, advocacy and technical support to professional school counselors, graduation coaches, administrators, parents, students, and community members throughout DeKalb County. School counselors are housed in all schools and centers.

Elementary Schools

School counselors work with students on all grade levels to ensure a smooth transition from one grade level to the next. In the elementary school environment, students are taught study and organizational skills that will prepare them for future schooling. Career exploration and peer relations are important components of the elementary guidance program. As students approach the fifth grade, they are exposed to the prerequisites for middle school success. Students learn about the scheduling differences, the importance of organization, class structuring, and the peer dynamics that they will encounter upon entering middle school.

Middle Schools

Upon entering middle school, students begin a major transition from the elementary environment to the middle school from the changing of classes, increase in homework, extracurricular activities and the physical changes of adolescence and puberty, students must learn to navigate the middle school environment. School counselors work collaboratively with parents, teachers and students to address adjustment concerns, peer relations and academic advisement to help prepare students for high school. During the 8th grade year, students meet with their school counselor to plan for their high school experience. Close monitoring of grades and exploring career interests is essential for student success at the middle school level.

High Schools

The high school experience is the final level towards graduation. The school counselor serves as a critical person in navigating a successful high school experience. Individual academic advisement occurs annually with freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior students. With graduation as the goal, school counselors work to ensure that students are aware that every grade counts.

Middle and High School Graduation Coaches

Middle and high schools in the DeKalb County School District have graduation coaches who are dedicated to providing additional support for students to move towards successful high school graduation. Graduation coaches work collaboratively with school counseling and administrative departments of schools to identify sources of support for at-risk students.