Counseling Department
South Effingham Middle School Student Services
Counseling Department
Supporting every Mustang through academic growth, career exploration, social-emotional development, problem solving, and the many transitions that come with middle school.
We're Here for Students.
The SEMS Counseling Department provides a safe, encouraging environment where students can ask for help, develop skills, solve problems, plan for the future, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school and beyond.
Request to See a Counselor
Students who would like to meet with a counselor should submit
a SmartPass request to the Counseling Department.
ParentSquare
Families can send a private message directly to the counseling team.
Family Resources
Find resources for emotional wellness, digital safety,
social media, and middle school support.
ClassLink
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SmartPass
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Counseling Department
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Send Request
Meet the Team
SEMS Counseling
Terah Cannon
Professional School Counselor
Students AāK
Students AāK
B.S. Sociology, Columbus State University
M.Ed. School Counseling, Georgia Southern University
Sherri Hall
Professional School Counselor
Students LāZ
Students LāZ
L.A., Corning Community College
B.A. Psychology, St. Bonaventure University
M.S.Ed. School Counseling, St. Bonaventure University
Amber Barnes
Counseling Administrative Assistant
Supporting students, families, and the daily work of the SEMS Counseling Department.
Our Foundation
Mission, Vision & Purpose
Our Mission
To provide all students with a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes achievement and growth in the academic, career, and social-emotional domains. Through partnerships with families, teachers, administrators, and our community, we help students develop the skills needed for future success.
Our Vision
Every SEMS student will be supported in reaching their full potential in academics, social-emotional development, and career readiness within an accepting and safe learning environment.
Our Purpose
School counselors serve as advocates for students, partners with families and teachers, and a bridge between school, home, and the resources students need to thrive.
What We Believe
Every Student Matters
Every student can achieve and deserves support in reaching their full potential.
Every student deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
Every student has unique gifts that can be discovered and developed.
Every student has the right to a safe and supportive school environment.
Every student should have access to a comprehensive, data-informed counseling program.
Strong partnerships between students, families, educators, and counselors improve student success.
How We Support Students
School Counseling Services
Classroom Counseling
Counselors provide classroom lessons focused on academic, career, and social-emotional knowledge and skills.
Individual Counseling
Students may meet individually with a counselor for brief, solution-focused support with concerns affecting school, relationships, or well-being.
Small Groups
Small-group counseling may be offered based on identified student needs and available programming.
Family & Teacher Consultation
Counselors collaborate with parents, guardians, teachers, administrators, and support staff to help students succeed.
Responsive Services
Counselors provide conflict resolution, crisis response, consultation, collaboration, and assistance during challenging situations.
Academic & Transition Support
Counselors assist students with scheduling, school transitions, academic planning, goal setting, and preparation for the next stage of their education.
Understanding the Role
What School Counselors Do
A School Counselor Does...
- Work with all students.
- Provide brief, solution-focused counseling.
- Deliver counseling lessons aligned with professional standards.
- Facilitate appropriate small groups.
- Support positive behavior and problem solving.
- Collaborate with families and school staff.
- Provide information about students' social-emotional needs.
- Help maintain a safe school climate.
A School Counselor Does Not...
- Provide long-term therapy.
- Serve only students experiencing problems.
- Assign school discipline or consequences.
- Teach academic classes or assign grades.
- Share private student information simply because someone asks.
- Replace outside medical or mental-health providers.
Confidentiality Matters
School counselors work to protect the privacy of students and families, and information is shared only when there is an educational or safety need to know. Students are also taught that confidentiality has limits. Counselors must seek additional help when someone may be hurting them, when a student may hurt themselves or someone else, or when disclosure is required by law.
School Ambassadors
Student leadership can make a tremendous difference during the middle school years. The School Ambassadors program provides opportunities for students to help welcome others, demonstrate positive leadership, and strengthen the sense of belonging within the Mustang community. Program-specific opportunities and announcements will be shared as they become available.
Welcome
Help students feel connected and comfortable at SEMS.
Lead
Practice communication, responsibility, and positive leadership.
Belong
Help build a supportive school community where every Mustang matters.
Student & Family Support
Resource Center
š School & Academic Support
ā¤ļø Emotional Wellness & Coping
Healthy Coping Strategies
Practical strategies for managing emotions, stress, and challenges.
Identifying & Expressing Feelings
Help students build the language and skills to understand
and communicate emotions.
Middle School Emotional Wellness
Resources focused on resilience and emotional wellness
during the middle school years.
ECSD Mental Health Resources
Current district-supported mental-health information
and community partnerships.
š± Digital Safety & Social Media
Digital Safety Resources
Digital-safety guidance from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
NetSmartz Online Safety
Online-safety resources for students, teens, parents,
and educators.
Guide to the Tween Digital World
Family guidance for devices, privacy, online behavior,
and digital independence.
Parent's Guide to Social Media
Guidance for discussing social media and building healthy
digital expectations.
š Family Controls & Device Safety
Snapchat Family Center
Snapchat's parental tools and family safety information.
Google Family Link
Official Google tools for app access, screen time,
content controls, and supervised accounts.
Apple Family Sharing & Screen Time
Apple tools for communication, content, privacy,
and Screen Time controls.
Snapchat Parent Safety Resources
Information about privacy, reporting, location sharing,
and teen safety.
Need Immediate Help?
A SmartPass request to the Counseling Department is not an emergency service. If a student or family member is experiencing a mental-health crisis, emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or concerns about self-harm, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineQuestions for the Counseling Department?
SEMS families should use ParentSquare to communicate directly with the Counseling Department. After signing in, search for Terah Cannon or Sherri Hall to send a private message.
Contact the Counseling Department via ParentSquare Terah Cannon ā¢ Students AāK Ā | Ā Sherri Hall ā¢ Students LāZ