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Elementary Counselor

Hoffman Family 2023Meet the Counselor

My name is Jessica Hoffman and I am excited about being part of the Olney Elementary family!

I am a graduate of Windthorst High School and attended Midwestern State University for my Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  After teaching middle school math and coaching in WFISD for 10 years, I received my Master’s Degree in Counseling from Wayland Baptist University.  This will be my 13th year as a school counselor with experience at elementary, middle school, and high school.

My husband, Brad, and I have been married for 23 years.  We have 3 amazing boys:  Cade (20) who is pursuing a nursing degree from Vernon College, Levi (17) who is a senior at Windthorst High School, and Jace (7) who is in 2nd grade at Windthorst Elementary.

 

My Educational Philosophy:  “As your child’s school counselor, I am committed to developing a school climate that is respectful, positive, accepting, and safe for students of all backgrounds.  My focus is to foster student growth in academic, social/personal, and career development.  I embrace the diversity of each individual and family.  I will partner with the community, parents, guardians, administration, faculty, and staff to ensure that our students are given the best opporunity to thrive and become successful citizens.”

Counseling Forms:

Parent Referral for Counselor

Staff Referral for Counselor

Parent Permission Form to See Counselor

Parent Release of Information

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULUM:

Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.  SEL provides a foundation for positive long-term effects on children by influencing wise decision-making and teaching them to build positive relationships.  SEL fosters social awareness and empathy, and leads to acceptance of others.  Students who participate in SEL build self-awareness and a more consistent ability to regulate their feelings.
 
To promote SEL in the school and home environment, we will be focusing on a different emotional topic each month.  This will be accomplished with the following monthly activities:
  • Discussion Questions - over the morning announcements.  A copy will also be provided to the teachers.
  • Parent Letters - letters will be sent home monthly to encourage SEL at home.  The pages encourage parents to talk about, read about and practice the social emotional topics with their child.
  • Counselor Lessons - 30 minute monthly lessons will be given by me to help students learn about the topic.
  • Resource List - a list of videos, picture books, and teacher resources will be provided to staff that can be used to further explore the topic.
SEL topics for the school year:

Wellness Center:

Virtual Calming Rooms:

Do Nothing for Two Minutes

Parent Resources:

Monthly Counselor Newsletters:

 

Mental Health Parent Handout

Mental Health Resources Guide

Helen Farabee Resource Guide

Supporting Students with ADHD

Separation Anxiety Parent Handout

Parent Guidelines for Helping Children after a Tornado

 

These resources can be requested from the counselor:

 

  • Worry & Anxiety Parent Handout
  • Supporting Children & Students Resource Toolkit
  • After a Loved One Dies – How Children Grieve & How Parents & Other Adults Can Support Them
  • Surviving a Suicide Loss:  Resource & Healing Guide
  • Parent’s Guide to Substance Use Prevention​

National Mental Health First Aid Resources:

If you or someone you care about feels overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or like you want to harm yourself or others, call 911 or one of the national crisis resources below.

National Crisis Resources

 

988 Lifeline    The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention            and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.  If you or someone you know needs support              now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

 

 

The Trevor ProjectTrevor Project:

Call 866-488-7386 or Text “START” to 678678

https://www.thetrevorproject.org

Trained counselors available 24/7 to support youth who are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement free place to talk.  Specializing in supporting the LGBTQI+ community.

 

 

SAMHSASubstance Use & Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline:

Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.                 

 https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-days-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

NDV Hotline

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

https://www.thehotline.org

Provides free, confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information.  Trained expert advocates are available 24/7.

 

Sexual AssaultNational Sexual Assault Hotline:

Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

https://hotline.rainn.org/online

Connects those who have been sexually assaulted with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in their area that offers access to a range of free services.  Services available 24/7 via phone or online chat.

Contact Information:


Hoffman Bitmoji

Jessica Hoffman, Elementary School Counselor

jhoffman@olneyisd.net

940.564.5608  ext. 126 (phone)

940.564.3518  (fax)