Ms. Hannah Smith
Hey everyone! My name is Hannah Smith, and I am the school counselor here at LCPS. I am thrilled to be a part of your students’ support team! This is my 5th year working as a school counselor. I wish I could say that I chose to be a school counselor from my own experiences with mine throughout school, but I chose to pursue my degree in school counseling because of the impact that my little sister's school counselor had on her. I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else just as she was to my sister. I am so excited to work alongside the students at LCPS this year, and I am thankful that you will be sharing them with me! My philosophy to counseling is to keep moving forward. No matter the circumstances, each day is a new day, and no one day or situation defines a child. I plan to love, impact, and advocate for your child in various ways throughout my counseling program. I am honored to be entrusted with your child. Please know that I am just a phone call or email away if I can assist you and your student in any way.
A few things about me:
My Family: My little family is made up of myself and three dogs, Rosie, Ginger, and Mama girl. I also have a cat named Mango.
Education: I graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. I received my Master's of Education in School Counseling from Albany State University. I received my Specialist of Education in Professional School Counseling from Fort Valley State University.
Hobbies: I enjoy going for runs with my dogs, hanging out by the pool with friends, and going golfing with my boyfriend, Chase.
My Childhood Dreams: I wanted to be a veterinarian and have a farm full of animals when I grew up.
School Counselor’s Role (per American School Counselor’s Association)
To help all students
- Apply academic achievement strategies
- Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
- Plan for post secondary options (higher education and work force)
- With goal planning
- With school counseling guidance lessons based on student success standards
- With short-term small group counseling lessons as needed and based on referrals
- By collaborating with families, teachers, administrators, and the community for student success
- By reviewing and analyzing data to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
All students at LCPS are provided counseling services through the following:
Classroom Guidance
At LCPS, our counseling program is prevention focused. We utilize the Second Step Curriculum. This curriculum teaches children how to have empathy towards others, impulse control and how to manage feelings, how to make decisions and how to problem solve.
Small Group Counseling
Small Group Counseling services are provided to students throughout the school year. Groups are needs-based and vary year to year. Typical groups offered include; divorce care groups, grief care groups, friendship groups, anger management groups, and new student groups. Students are referred to small groups by teachers, administrators, parents and student self-referrals.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is offered to those students who would most benefit from one on one counseling. Again, individual counseling is needs based and varies from year to year. Typical issues that may result in individual counseling may include friendship issues, behavioral issues, classroom/bus difficulties, and social skill issues. Students are referred for individual counseling by teachers, administrators, parents and student self-referrals.