Counselor's Corner Google Site
Counseling
Esme Pierzchala
Professional School Counselor
My name is Ms. Pierzchala and I am Tulip Grove’s Professional School Counselor! Tulip Grove’s school counseling program supports our whole school and is focused on enhancing your students’ academic, social, and personal development. Some of the key values of our school counseling program include inclusivity, community, and growth.
See below for key elements of the school counseling program:
Classroom Lessons
I conduct monthly lessons in every classroom. Guidance topics include: T.I.G.E.R Character Education, social skills development, mental health, anti- bullying, personal safety, problem solving, and college & career readiness.
Small Groups
I host a rotation of small groups throughout the year to support new students, manage conflict resolution, and build social skills. If your child is invited to participate in a small group this year you will receive a permission slip and more information.
Individual Support
This takes place during the school day and is brief, solution-focused counseling. Students may meet with me at any time during the year, as needs arise and as students are referred.
Peer Mediation
The Peer Mediation program consists of 5th grade leaders who demonstrate excellent listening skills, empathy, and confidence to assist their peers and younger students in resolving conflict. We are piloting the program this year and are excited to see our students learn important skills to mediate and solve conflict independently.
Other Notes
This year I am pleased to be supervising University of Maryland School Counseling graduate student interns. The interns will work alongside me in supporting our TIGERs as they prepare to become certified school counselors. Your student may be invited to meet with an intern, with your permission, to allow them to practice individual and group counseling skills.
My Counselor’s Corner website and counselor referral form are linked here, and in my email signature with more resources. Please also take a moment for the Family Survey. Students may also self-refer using the appointment request forms outside of my office. I look forward to working with the students and families of Tulip Grove and helping every student develop a strong character, good life skills, and positive relationships!
Confidentiality
Information shared with the School Counselor will remain confidential unless a student reports (a) hurting self, (b) hurting others, (c) someone has hurt them or (d) the student gives permission to share. Confidentiality is the hallmark of the counselor-student relationship and will not be broken unless the aforementioned exceptions are determined.