About the Counseling Program
The School Counseling program promotes academic, emotional, social, and career growth for each student. We work to build a rapport with the students, teachers, families, and community members to better Garrett Park Elementary School as a whole. Through the school counseling program, students will achieve a positive, healthy outlook towards themselves and others as they move through their developmental stages.
The School Counselor's Role:
The School Counseling program provides support in the following capacities:
Whole Class Lessons
Classroom instruction is provided to all students in each of the classrooms .
Possible Guidance Lesson Topics:
Small Group Counseling/Lunch Bunches
Small Group counseling offers the opportunity for students with similar concerns to learn and talk with each other in a safe and fun environment. Permission slips will be sent home prior to a student participating in a small group. Students love participating in these groups!
Possible Group Topics:
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available to all students to discuss academic, personal, and social issues. School counseling is not therapy but rather brief, short-term support for a student during a crisis situation, an immediate personal concern or a problem that may be affecting their academic success and their ability to focus in school.
The School Counselor's Role:
- Counsel individually with students in brief solution-focused counseling sessions
- Teach monthly guidance lessons in classrooms
- Conduct small group counseling sessions
- Consult with parents and families regarding concerns
- Consult with teachers
- Provide information on community resources for families
- Provide support during personal crisis
- Promote a positive and safe school climate
- Be a visible, proactive, positive support for ALL staff and students
The School Counseling program provides support in the following capacities:
Whole Class Lessons
Classroom instruction is provided to all students in each of the classrooms .
Possible Guidance Lesson Topics:
- Personal Body Safety
- Feelings/Emotions
- Bullying
- Empathy
- Tolerance/Diversity
- Honesty
- Personal Space
- Conflict Resolution
- Bucket Filling / Bucket Dipping
- Friendships/Social Skills
- Personal Safety
- Stress & Anger Management
- Character Education
- Study Skills
- Decision-Making
- Career Exploration
Small Group Counseling/Lunch Bunches
Small Group counseling offers the opportunity for students with similar concerns to learn and talk with each other in a safe and fun environment. Permission slips will be sent home prior to a student participating in a small group. Students love participating in these groups!
Possible Group Topics:
- Changing Families/Divorce
- Anger Management
- Social Skills
- Stress/Anxiety Management
- Friendship Club
- Good Grief (Grief/Death)
- Test-Taking Strategies
- Self-Esteem & Confidence
- New Student Groups
- Problem Solving /Making Good Choices
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is available to all students to discuss academic, personal, and social issues. School counseling is not therapy but rather brief, short-term support for a student during a crisis situation, an immediate personal concern or a problem that may be affecting their academic success and their ability to focus in school.
About the Counselors
Ms. Leslie Karbeling
I am so excited to be working with all of you here at Garrett Park ES for my first year as an Elementary School Counselor! I already feel so welcomed by this community and look forward to meeting all of you!
A little bit about me: I am a MCPS alum (graduated from Gaithersburg High School), then continued on to Penn State where I received my degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology. After undergrad, I attended Johns Hopkins University and obtained my Master’s degree in School Counseling. However, over the past three years I was a teacher in an early childhood center! I am very excited to be in this role and help support students, staff, and families at GPES!
Mrs. Loren Kemp
I am thrilled to be returning to Garrett Park as the part-time School Counselor. This is my thirteenth year working for MCPS. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and worked at Bells Mill Elementary for nine years as both a 5th and 2nd grade teacher. I loved being in the classroom, but had a passion for the social-emotional well-being of children. I feel it is key to their success! I earned my Master's degree from Hopkins in School Counseling . I was a Counselor at Maryvale Elementary for one year prior to coming to Garrett Park.
When I am not at work, I spend a lot of time with my family, including my three daughters, Charlotte (6), Laney (4), and Claire (8 months) and husband, CJ. We have a large extended family that keeps us busy, too! I spend lots of time at Lake Wallenpaupack in Pennsylvania, where I am from, and I also love the beach! Hobbies of mine include reading, cooking & baking, exercise, and anything on the water!
I am so excited to be working with all of you here at Garrett Park ES for my first year as an Elementary School Counselor! I already feel so welcomed by this community and look forward to meeting all of you!
A little bit about me: I am a MCPS alum (graduated from Gaithersburg High School), then continued on to Penn State where I received my degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Psychology. After undergrad, I attended Johns Hopkins University and obtained my Master’s degree in School Counseling. However, over the past three years I was a teacher in an early childhood center! I am very excited to be in this role and help support students, staff, and families at GPES!
Mrs. Loren Kemp
I am thrilled to be returning to Garrett Park as the part-time School Counselor. This is my thirteenth year working for MCPS. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and worked at Bells Mill Elementary for nine years as both a 5th and 2nd grade teacher. I loved being in the classroom, but had a passion for the social-emotional well-being of children. I feel it is key to their success! I earned my Master's degree from Hopkins in School Counseling . I was a Counselor at Maryvale Elementary for one year prior to coming to Garrett Park.
When I am not at work, I spend a lot of time with my family, including my three daughters, Charlotte (6), Laney (4), and Claire (8 months) and husband, CJ. We have a large extended family that keeps us busy, too! I spend lots of time at Lake Wallenpaupack in Pennsylvania, where I am from, and I also love the beach! Hobbies of mine include reading, cooking & baking, exercise, and anything on the water!