Counseling Services
At Lakota, the counselor's role is an integral part of the educational experience of each child. Our mission is to serve each student's individual, academic and developmental needs.
School counselors at every Lakota school assist in the development of the whole child through personal, social, educational and career counseling. The foundation for this begins in elementary school and continues throughout the student's school career. Elementary counselors are highly involved in fostering safe, healthy, nurturing environments for children and participate in their school building goals and strategies that support an optimal learning environment.
Counselors help set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills children need to become healthy, competent, and confident learners. Teamwork is essential as counselors work with students, staff, parents, and community resources to provide support for students to achieve their goals.
To meet licensure requirements, Ohio School Counselors must obtain a Master’s degree in the field of counseling and a license/certificate from the Ohio Department of Education. School counselors remain current in their field by meeting continuing education requirements.
School guidance curriculum areas include:
- Academic Support, including organizational, study and test-taking skills;
- Goal setting and decision-making;
- Career awareness, exploration and planning;
- Education on understanding self and others;
- Peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills;
- Character education;
- Multicultural/diversity awareness;
- Dealing with loss and grief;
- Transition support/adjustment to change; and
- Problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Counselors assist student, staff and parents in a variety of ways.
Students
- Individual counseling
- Group guidance and counseling
- Academic support
- Peer education
- Peer support
- School climate
- Transition to new schools
- Crisis intervention
- Support groups
- Career education
Staff
- Classroom guidance activities
- Academic support and addressing underachievement
- At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
- School climate
- Behavioral management plans
- Student data and results
- Student assistance team building
- Classroom speakers
Parents
- Communication & Networking
- Academic planning
- Parent education
- Career awareness programs
- One-on-one parent conferencing
- Interpretation of assessment results
- Referral to community agencies and resources
Counselor Directory
Tara Bessler
Guidance
East High
Andrea Bryant
Guidance
East High
Amy Burns
Guidance
Union Elementary

Kelly Carstens
Guidance
Ridge Junior
Marty Cieslak
Guidance
West Freshman
Michelle Durling
Counselor
West High
Bob Emig
Counselor
West High
Angela Fisher
Guidance
East High
Bob Gelter
Guidance
West Freshman
Jennifer Gillum
Guidance
Wyandot Early Childhood School
Dana Hallgarth
Guidance
Liberty Early Childhood School
Dawn Hill
Counselor
Heritage Early Childhood School
Nina Inzero
Counselor
East High
Mary Jones
Guidance
East Freshman
Jason Kennison
Guidance
Cherokee Elementary
David Klaserner
Guidance
East Freshman
Andria Lapthorn
Guidance
Hopewell Junior
Allison McIntosh
Guidance
Hopewell Early Childhood School
Jennifer Millard
Guidance
East High
Amy Moorman
Guidance
Independence Elementary
Kira Murphy
Counselor
Lakota Central
Brenda Paget
Guidance
Plains Junior
Demarco Robinson
Guidance
Liberty Junior
Erin Roessner
Guidance
Woodland Elementary
Jordan Rosenfield
Guidance
West High
Bradley Rubin
Guidance
West High
Jennifer Russell
Guidance
Creekside Early Childhood School
Rachel Smith
Guidance
VanGorden Elementary
Nicole Stewart
Guidance
West High
Audrey Young
Guidance
Lakota Central