Counseling
Our Mission
The mission of the Sequoia Middle School Counseling Department is to empower all students to reach their fullest potential by promoting whole child social/emotional support, academic guidance, college/career advisement and community outreach/building opportunities. It is the objective of this department to promote a commitment to life-long learning, personal and academic growth, and to aid students in becoming responsible, culturally aware, and productive members of society.
Our Philosophy
The mission of the SMS Counseling Department is sustained by the following beliefs:
- We believe that each student possesses inherent self-worth and deserves respect and recognition, regardless of academic and/or physical needs, social, cultural, racial, ethnic, or socio-economic background, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity preference.
- We believe that each person fundamentally desires to be in relation with others, where stability and caring can lead to mutual growth.
- We believe that students and faculty alike can improve each other's lives and personal abilities through sharing unique perspectives and experiences with each other.
- We believe that counseling is an effective way to help students understand and clarify their authentic personal truths and styles of life.
- We believe that counselors are most effective in teaching students the lessons of understanding, acceptance, empathy, and caring when those qualities are modeled in the actions of an available, dedicated, and professional school counseling program.
Our Services
- One-on-on student counseling, check-in’s, and crisis assessment
- Small group counseling
- Academic advisement
- Personal development
- College and career exploration
- Peer relations and conflict resolution
- Parent/teacher/student facilitation
- Outside resource referrals
- Lunch time clubs/groups (GSA, Spirit Club, Lunch Bunch)
- Classroom guidance
- CARE team and 504 plan coordination and facilitation
Appointments/Drop-In's
Students may see a counselor at any time. While counselors have been initially assigned to students alphabetically, each student is free to see any counselor of his/her choice.
All Counseling is confidential. "Appointment Request Forms" are available in the B side of the office. Students are also welcome to come to the counseling office between classes.
Need somewhere fun to go during lunch?
Check out the Library!
Now open Monday - Friday.
Thursday/Friday - music, board games, cards and fun! A great place to meet new friends!
What parents should know about confidentiality...
"When it comes to their children meeting with a school counselor, some parents are reluctant to support such a decision. They may fear the child will share “family secrets,” which will then be spread throughout the school. Or that all the teachers in the faculty lounge will learn of their child’s specific problems and hold it against the student.
In fact, such concerns couldn’t be further from the truth.
A student’s right to privacy and confidentiality is the basis for an effective counseling relationship. Confidentiality ensures that school counselors won’t share students’ disclosures with others except when the student authorizes it or when there is a clear and present danger to the student and/or to other persons (Melton, B. 2008) "
If you would like your student to meet with our counselors, please contact them directly. Additionally, you need to complete, sign, and return the permission slip below:
Sequoia Counselors
Counseling Department
Mrs. Stewart (A-K):
I am Angela Stewart, your new school counselor for students with the last name A-K. This is my dream job! I absolutely love this school, our students, the staff, and parent community. I have been involved with the Sequoia community for two years as a parent, and PFC board member. I came into this field because of my passion to empower, motivate and inspire students to achieve their own personal BEST. My hope is to create a middle school experience where everyone feels safe, connected, and able to thrive.
I will be collaborating with teachers, administration and families, to ensure that we are creating a positive, safe, and effective learning community for all our students. I love working with students individually and in small groups, as well as teaching classroom guidance lessons. I am looking forward to meeting (and re-connecting) with all our students and families. I believe we are a TEAM, all working together to support your student. We are going to have an awesome school year!
Contact me: 925-682-8000 #5606 or stewarta@mdusd.org
Mr. Cormier-Knopp (L-Z):
Hello! My name is Nathan Cormier-Knopp (known to most students as Mr. CK) and I am the Sequoia Middle School counselor for students with last names between L and Z. I have been counseling students in various capacities since 2012 at both the high school and middle school levels. I am thrilled to be collaborating with Angela Stewart (my co-counselor) to shape and refine a vision for our school’s ever-expanding counseling department. I have found my work with young men and women to be a phenomenally rewarding experience and I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to serve the remarkable students of Sequoia Middle School!
Phone: 925-682-8000 #5685
Email: cormierknoppn@mdusd.org
