School Counseling
Hello, families of St. Catherine’s!
My name is Kevin Ward, and I am your student’s school counselor. After spending time in Chicago, where I received my MEd from DePaul University, it is good to be back home in the PNW. Before moving to Chicago, I attended Gonzaga University, (Go Zags), and then volunteered for a year in the Boston Public Schools through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I am a big believer in Catholic education and the value of mental healthcare, social/emotional learning, and strong community.
What is the role of a school counselor?
I am grateful for the opportunity to be here full-time as St. Catherine’s school counselor. Through this opportunity, I am able to offer a comprehensive school counseling program to all students at St. Catherine’s. This program will be driven by student data and include a multitude of interventions regarding the student’s development in three domains: social/emotional, academic, and college/career. Students will see me in the classroom teaching lessons that fall into these three domains, leading small groups, and meeting with students on an individual basis when needed, (as well as on the playground every day!). I have an open-door policy for any student who needs a quiet space to vent, work out conflict, reflect, or simply take some time for themselves.
Mental health is something we all need to care for. Even when we feel our best, it is important to exercise our brains and care for our well-being. Teaching students the value of this at a young age is highly beneficial. Please feel free to contact me with anything regarding your students’ mental and emotional health within the context of their academic success and social/emotional development.
Confidentiality
Students are invited to speak openly and honestly in my office space. I tell each student that I will only break confidentiality if they disclose one or more of three things to me:
1) Someone is hurting them. 2) They want to hurt themselves. 3) They want to hurt someone else.
If you would like to learn more, please refer to the ASCA Position on Confidentiality.