Counseling Services

Hornet Counselors

Mr. Sefu Grady – Lead Counselor (8th Grade)
Mrs. Melissa Barksdale – 7th Grade Counselor
Mrs. Alita James-Nelson – 6th Grade Counselor
Mr. J. Greer – ATLAS Program Counselor (Grades 6–8)

Our Mission

The mission of the Peeples Middle School Counseling Department is to help every scholar feel supported, confident, and ready to learn. We remove barriers that may get in the way of success and work to make sure every Hornet has what they need academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our program is aligned with the ASCA National Model, which means we focus on building a high-quality counseling program that supports all scholars, uses data, and works in partnership with families, teachers, and the community.

We work to:

Teach important skills that help scholars succeed in school and in life
Support scholars when personal or academic challenges come up
Help scholars build positive friendships and make good choices
Connect scholars and families with helpful school and community resources
Encourage scholars to explore future careers, colleges, and life goals
Partner with teachers and parents to support scholars’ growth

What We Do

Classroom Lessons

Counselors visit classrooms to teach skills such as:

Organization and study strategies
Emotional management and problem-solving
Goal setting and planning for the future
Digital citizenship and online safety
Attendance, leadership, and positive behavior

Scholar Advisement

We meet with scholars to help them:

Understand academic expectations
Plan for high school and career paths
Set personal and academic goals
Stay focused and on track

Parent Support

Parents and guardians can meet with a counselor to discuss:

Academic concerns
Social or emotional needs
Attendance or behavior
Family changes
Helpful school or community resources

Responsive Support

Counselors provide support when a scholar is facing a challenge, including:

Personal or family crises
Conflicts with peers
School emergencies
Situations affecting learning or attendance

Small Group Counseling

Groups help scholars learn and grow in areas such as:

Managing emotions
Making and keeping friends
Handling family changes
Improving study habits and organization
Building confidence
Staying motivated and improving attendance

Individual Counseling

Counselors meet with scholars one-on-one for short-term help with school, friendships, feelings, or problem-solving.
Note: School counseling is not therapy, but we can help families find outside mental health services if needed.

Everything is kept private unless a scholar shares that:

They are being hurt
They may hurt themselves
They may hurt someone else

Why Do Scholars See the Counselor?

TALK!

To share what’s going on and get support

LISTEN!

To hear helpful advice and encouragement

LEARN!

To gain skills for school and life

EXPLORE!

To think about future colleges and careers

PLAN!

To set goals and prepare for success