Welcome to the WAT Counseling Department
To empower each student to reach their full potential as a member of society.
With the collaboration of community stakeholders, parents, and teachers, the program has been created to assist in the growth of each student's personal/social, career, and academic development while fostering a culture of acceptance, confidence, and success.
We Believe....
Each student is capable of reaching their full potential!
All students should be treated with respect!
In celebrating diversity!
All students are capable of being safe, respectful, and responsible!
In advocating for ALL students at Watauga Elementary!
We provide services to support students and families, including:
- Individual Short-Term Counseling: Assisting students in working through personal challenges.
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Group Counseling: Developing social skills and encouraging peer connections.
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Monthly Classroom Lessons: Teaching essential skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and setting goals.
Beyond core services, the counselor leads initiatives and provides resources, including:
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Overseeing the Cultural Competency Team and RTI²B (Response to Instruction and Intervention for Behavior) Team.
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Coordinating S-Team meetings, 504 meetings, and crisis response plans.
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Offering food bag assistance and organizing seasonal support for families, including Thanksgiving and Christmas aid.
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Facilitating referrals for long-term counseling services when needed.
Classroom/Small Group Guidance Instruction
Mrs. Lara will meet with each homeroom class once a month for classroom guidance lessons. Small groups will be conducted at various times throughout the school year for students that would benefit. The curriculum taught is age-appropriate and meets the TN Department of Education's standards for school counseling. The four domains are Social/Emotional, Academic, and Career Development. This is a time when students learn important life skills necessary for a successful, healthy life and career.
Individual Counseling
Students may see the school counselor on an individual and short-term basis. Intensive counseling is not appropriate for the school setting, but I am happy to give contact information to you for outside counselors in the area. The student may be referred by a teacher, parent, administrator, or themselves.
Do you have a student in mind who would benefit from short-term individual counseling? Please fill out Mrs. Lara's referral form here: https://forms.office.com/r/AeLdiU4iwM
If your student comes home and tells you they have met with the school counselor, please be assured they are not in trouble! School counselors do not punish and are often a step toward improving behaviors before discipline or consequences are required.
Meet the School Counselor
Mrs. Lara Flannery
Titles:
School Counselor
Email:
Biography:
Hello! My name is Lara Flannery, and I am the school counselor at Watauga Elementary School. This is my 3rd year at Watauga, and I so excited to serve our wonderful students and families! I graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in School Counseling. I have a passion for helping students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally while also having fun whenever possible along the way. I love getting to work with students every day and helping them reach their full potential!
If you have any questions about your child's success at school or are in need of immediate resources, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to serving you and your student!
Phone: (615)-859-5252
Additional Resources
Family Resources
Food, Clothing, Immediate Resources
For more information about immediate needs, contact Mrs. Lara at (615)-859-5252 or use the link below to contact our family resource office.
https://www.rcstn.net/parents-students/family-resources
School-Based Therapy
Through community partnerships with Robertson County Schools and TN Voices, your child may be eligible for school-based therapy. Please contact your school counselor, Lara Flannery, for more information! lara.flannery@rcstn.net
TN Relative Caregiver Program
For caregivers with noncustodial children in their home: (grandchild, sibling, niece/nephew, cousin, etc.)
Please see this brochure!
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/dcs/documents/prevention-in-home/RelativeCaregiverFlyer.pdf
Robertson County Contact: 615-445-8711