Department members pictured L-R include Dr. Rachel Loving, Erin Ortiz, Kelly Ndayizigiye, Joy Cobb, and Kimberly Forquer. Not pictured: Lucas Veale, Registrar.
Our Counseling team is both committed and caring. One of our largest new projects includes helping to launch the new Dragon Advisory program in partnership with Mr. Ed Coleman – English Department. This year, Ms. Ndayizigiye is joining Dr. Loving as a National Honor Society (NHS) co-sponsor, and 79 NHS members are serving as “Bonsai Mentors” to the freshmen, with three student co-coordinators. We have been making sure that these student volunteers are well-informed and ready to lead the Dragon Advisory meetings that take place on most Fridays.
Dr. Loving led the freshman experience committee last year in its developmental stages, and now the committee is spearheaded by Mr. Coleman. Additionally, Ms. Cobb has been working with the MLWGS 101 team to help reinvent the logistical process of our foundation’s curriculum (formerly FIRC). Finally, Ms. Forquer has taken the lead on organizing college visits and has strengthened the student “college ambassador” volunteering component by asking the student in charge of greeting the college rep to take notes on the meeting.
This year, Ms. Forquer and Dr. Loving led the college boot camp in August, just before teachers returned to the building. We have since met with all senior English classes and plan to meet with all seniors individually about their future plans and college applications by the end of September. Ms. Cobb is in the process of planning the PSAT testing on October 18th. Ms. Ndayizigiye and Ms. Cobb are looking forward to reaching out to the 8th-grade community and sharing about Maggie Walker as a part of the middle school visit program. Veteran counselors Lisa Ebeling (School Psychologist) and Cindy Barnes (LPC) are sharing the responsibilities of substituting for Ms. Ortiz with social-emotional counseling and managing student needs in the mindfulness room. Mr. Veale is looking forward to coaching Varsity Girls Soccer again in the spring, in addition to serving as the “command central” for the Counseling Office.
Personally, Ms. Ortiz recently gave birth to a baby girl and will be on maternity leave until sometime in November. Ms. Ortiz has also been working on her LCSW licensure. Ms. Ndayizigiye has been working on her LCP licensure. Ms. Forquer has recently earned her “Specialized Certificate in College Counseling” through UC San Diego!
What a great team to support our Dragons!
