Congratulations to the Kearns Jr. High Counseling Team for being recognized by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) in the Utah School Counseling Monthly Highlight!
Read the highlight below.
“A growth mindset is the belief that skills, intelligence, and talent can be developed through effort, support and strategies, rather than being fixed qualities.”
The Kearns Junior High Counseling Team epitomizes this belief and fosters a growth mindset in everything they do. Kearns Junior High is one of Granite’s most highly impacted schools with over 80% students impacted by poverty. The counselors have long recognized that focusing on students’ strengths and the growth that occurs is the key to academic success and, even more importantly, provides hope. I have repeatedly heard from the Kearns Junior team these sentiments: “We cannot change the experiences that our students have once they leave the building, but we do our best to provide students with a safe environment, resources and the opportunity to grow and learn while they are here.”
Corianne Reynolds is the counseling center lead. Her dedication to KJH students and the school community is unmatched. She is a tireless advocate for students. She keeps everyone laughing, moving forward and changing to meet the needs of all students. She is proactive, searching out the latest evidence-based practices to support the students. Her enthusiasm and positivity is contagious and always adds a person touch to interactions with parents and students.
Anya May is masterful at systematizing and organizing processes and events. Her problem solving skills and creative solution finding abilities make valuable impacts on student success at KJH. She is a data guru and firmly believes “there is a spreadsheet for that!” In fact, this team’s strength is systemizing their program and supports for students school wide.
Dylan Ball joined the team just a few years ago. He has quickly gotten up to speed with the team and the multi-tiered impacts the KJH counseling team is involved in. His super power is connecting with students in meaningful and life changing ways. He is positive, compassionate, and caring. He demonstrates these characteristics in his work with students, families, and faculty.
The team is fearless when it comes to serving students and have adapted empty classrooms or relocatables to a food pantry, clothing distribution site and calm spaces. Their work during the holiday season to provide meals, Santa Sacs, a Santa Shop, and other holiday supports is an example of their awareness of service to the whole child and to their community.
Due to the high needs of the students the counseling and administrative team long ago recognized the importance of collaborating and partnering with the community. The Kearns Coalition meets regularly to provide community and school resource updates and is constantly searching out better ways to impact the learning of students. Counselors are key people n this partnership and guide conversations towards intentional supports for all students and their families whether that be food, clothing, school supplies, mental health supports, housing and even items such as mattresses.
While every year brings new challenges, the focus at Kearns Junior has always been to create a strong sense of belonging among students and staff. Corianne, Anya and Dylan are at the heart of that initiative. They are a shining example of the impact a strong Comprehensive School Counseling Program can have on a school and its community.