- Kenyon Woods Middle
- Counseling Department
-
Welcome to the Counseling Department! We are happy to have you!
-
School Counselor Vision Statement
The School Counseling Department at Kenyon Woods Middle School envisions a future where all students obtain success in their intellectual, social, emotional, and vocational lives. By actively engaging in a learning culture for all, students will be equipped with the skills necessary to be autonomous individuals who can contribute positively to their community and own personal growth.
-
School Counselor Mission Statement
The mission of the Kenyon Woods Middle School Counseling Program is to provide equitable opportunities to a comprehensive school counseling program to meet the academic, social-emotional, and career and college focused needs of each individual student. In collaboration with all stakeholders, the school counseling program strives to provide high quality support and interventions so that all students are empowered to ROAR in a diverse culture.
-
Mrs. Rook (A-G)
Hello and welcome!
My name is Sean Hardiman and I am one of three fabulous counselors at Kenyon Woods Middle School. The 2022-23 school year is my first school year working at Kenyon Woods. Prior to Kenyon Woods I completed my practicum and internship at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL. Before my internship, I worked as a teaching assistant in student services and as a one-on-one paraprofessional. I am incredibly excited to be a member of the Kenyon Woods community and to help students here prepare for life in high school and beyond. In 2016 I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago. After graduating I spent some time as the Store Manager of the Insomnia Cookies in Lincoln Park and a year working as a Sales Account Executive for a large logistics company in Chicago. I began to volunteer as a baseball coach within various camps and high schools within the Chicagoland area at this time. Working with young people proved to be my calling and in the spring of 2019 I applied to a CACREP accredited graduate program for School Counseling through Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. While enrolled full-time in graduate school, I received my first job within education at John Hersey High School while also continuing to volunteer as an assistant baseball coach for the freshman baseball team at JHHS.
My journey since I left high school has brought me down various paths toward different careers. I empathize with students who struggle to make large decisions regarding their futures when they are still developing their own identities. I believe that starting the process early and engaging in conversations about their future is the first step to finding what is right for them. I believe that I am an agent of change who can help students find and develop their own identity so that they will be prepared for high school and the world beyond high school. I provide a student-centered and strength-based approach to counseling with an emphasis on evidenced-based, solution focused techniques to help students. I also believe that building strong relationships with students and other stakeholders is the first step toward positive change for individuals, the school community, and the community at-large.
Email: SeanHardiman@u-46.org
-
Ms. Perdikaris (H-PA)
My name is Eve Perdikaris and I am a School Counselor at Kenyon Woods Middle School. The 2022-2023 school year is my first at Kenyon Woods, and first as a school counselor!
I am a very proud alumni of Augustana College (Rock Island, lL) where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Sociology. After graduating from Augie I spent three years studying Counseling and earned a Master of Education in School Counseling from Northern Illinois University. In addition to holding leadership roles on campus, I have presented research on student success & inclusion at the Illinois School Counseling Association’s Annual Conference.
While this is my first role as a full time school counselor, I have worked with students and families in a variety of settings including at the Elementary, High School and Higher Education levels. During my time at NIU I worked as an Academic Coordinator for NCAA Division I Athletes. As an avid sports fan (Let’s Go-Go White Sox!) I greatly enjoyed that role, however I am extremely excited to be back supporting young students’ academic achievement, social and emotional development, and college and career readiness. My hope is for each of our students to cultivate the confidence, empathy and determination to be active participants and agents of change in their communities.
I look forward to creating genuine connections with all students fostered by empathy and mutual respect. At the end of the day, I am an advocate for your students and I want them to know that they are an essential member of our Kenyon Woods community.
Email: EvePerdikaris@u-46.org
-
Mrs. Martinez (PE-Z)
Welcome!
My name is Jessica Ventrella and I am one of the three School Counselors at Kenyon Woods Middle School. I began working at Kenyon Woods in 2018 after spending a year employed as a Classroom Counselor at a therapeutic day school, and I have loved each and every day spent as a Panther! After receiving my Bachelors of Science in Psychology at Northern Illinois University (Go Huskies!), I continued my professional journey at NIU to obtain my Masters of Education in Counseling in their CACREP accredited counseling program. Throughout my time in the program, I was an active member of the International and Professional Academic Honor Society for Counseling Students as well as numerous professional counseling associations. Soon after graduating, I went on to receive my Licensure in Professional Counseling in 2017. My educational and professional experiences have prepared me well to support students who have both academic and social-emotional needs.
Throughout my whole life, I knew that I wanted to work with students. I consider it my goal and mission to assure that each student feels safe, welcome, and supported in the school setting. I believe that change occurs only when a positive relationship is formed through transparency, trust, and unconditional positive regard. I consider myself to be an active listener, promoting consistent self-reflection and assistance in guiding students to be autonomous and confident in their own decisions.
Email: JessicaVentrella@u-46.org
-
What does a School Counselor at KWMS do?
Academic and Educational Counseling: Students may seek support for academic or educational counseling services. At KWMS, the school counselor may provide students with strategies and information in the areas study skills, test taking, executive functioning, etc. The school counselor will likely guide students in exploring solutions and setting goals to assist in achieving academic success. Students may also wish to talk with their school counselor about scheduling appropriate classes for their academic level and interest.
Personal and Social-Emotional Counseling: Students may seek support for personal and social-emotional counseling services. At KWMS, the school counselor will assist students in developing skills to appropriately manage difficult situations. Further, the school counselor will guide students in developing skills to effectively communicate with others. This may be accomplished in a multitude of ways by providing coping skills, strategies, and tools in universally taught lessons, small group involvement, or short-term individual sessions. Among others, common topics discussed in the counseling office focus on peer relationships, self-identity exploration, and specific mental health or safety concerns. At KWMS, the school counselor works to provide a safe space for all students to seek support when feeling dysregulated in the general school setting. **Please be aware that if the school counselor does not feel that a student’s social-emotional needs can be met within the confines of the school setting, outside counseling/therapy resources and recommendations may be suggested and provided to the family.**
College and Career Counseling: Students may seek support in exploring potential college and career choices. At KWMS, school counselor will guide students through the early stages of college and career exploration. Much of this information and exploration will occur universally and school-wide throughout the student’s middle school experience using the Naviance platform. Student that want to explore further may request additional or more individualized information regarding their college and career interests, including potential High School Pathways, Academies, and Programs.
504 Plan Case Management: The school counselors are responsible for 504 Case Management for students enrolled at KWMS. For more detailed information and inquiries regarding 504 Plans, please contact your student’s school counselor directly.
How does a Student see a School Counselor?
At KWMS, we encourage students to remain involved and engaged in their academic classes throughout the school day. When a student would like to see their counselor during the school day, they should make an appointment by sending an email request or filling out an appointment request form. The school counselor will work to schedule an appointment with the student during their lunch period or during the least restrictive time in their day. If there is an urgent concern, a student should ask their teacher for a pass to see their counselor. Also, in the event of an urgent concern, the school counselor may have to seek out a student and pull them from an academic class.
How does a Parent/Guardian see a School Counselor?
Parents/Guardians are welcome to meet with their student’s counselor as needed. However, we ask that parents/guardians make appointments in advance, via phone or email, to assure that the counselor and any additional team or staff member(s) is available. Of course, the school counselor will work to meet as urgently as the situation requires.
-
Links and Resources
