Heather Ginn (A-D)/Department Head ginn.heather@westada.org
Michelle White (E-K) white.michelle@westada.org
Megan Shaw (L-Rh) shaw.megan@westada.org
Yvette Melbihess (Ri-Z) melbihess.yvette@westada.org
Sierra Teseo (College/Career) teseo.sierra@westada.org

West Ada School District Counseling Services

School counselors are vital members of the education team found in each West Ada school building. Through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors assist all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, to ensure that today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors provide short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and guidance curriculum. School counselors also help connect students and their families to a variety of community resources. 

Each school counselor or school social worker has a Pupil Personnel Certificate from the Idaho State Department of Education. The minimum education requirement for this certificate is a master’s degree in school counseling or social work. 

School Counseling

The School Counselor:

• Promotes a safe, caring, climate and a positive school experience for all students

• Guides and supports students with personal, social, and academic goals

• Encourages students to have healthy perceptions of themselves

• Inspires students to show kindness, respect, and empathy toward others

• Advocates for students, and empowers students to make positive choices, by using appropriate tools for problem-solving and decision making

The Role of the School Counselor:

• Offers short-term, solution focused, individual and group counseling (group counseling is based on availability).

• Teaches whole group class lessons with district approved curriculum

• Observes students in various settings

• Consults and collaborates with parents, staff, students, and community agencies

• Provides community referrals and resources for families

• Coordinates Section 504 Accommodation Plans

• Provides support during a crisis

The School Counselor's Referral Process:

• Referrals typically come from parents, staff, and students

• Students can stop by the counselor’s office (with teacher permission), and fill out a request slip, or bring their own note, and place it in the counselor’s confidential mailbox. Or, students can ask their teacher to contact the school counselor for them

• Staff and parents may contact the counselor at any time via phone or email

Confidentiality Policy:

What you say in here stays in here UNLESS:

• Someone is hurting you...

• You want to hurt yourself and/or someone else...

• Something illegal happened...

• You give us permission to share with another trusted adult...

• You or someone else tells us about consistent and/or persistent changes in your behavior or the way you feel...

• We are asked to testify in a court of law or to other legal authorities...