Meet Your Counselors

Introduction to the School & the Role of the Professional School Counselor

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	Erik Esparza 120 Castlegory Road Houston, Texas 77015   nsms.galenaparkisd.com
@gpisdNSMS	Galena Park ISD	@NSMS_Mustangs

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Demographics of NORTH SHORE MIDDLE School

Enrollment: 1299 504: 5.4% Special Education: 12.5% At-Risk: 77.9%

English Language Learners: 48.5% Gifted/Talented: 7.6% Economically Disadvantaged: 86.9% McKinney-Vento: 0.6%

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Our Amazing Counselors & Crisis Intervention Specialist

Mrs. Dana Peters Email: dpeters@galenaparkisd.com Masters in Education	Mrs. Avery Smith Email: avwilsonsmith@galenaparkisd.com Masters in Educational Leadership and Counseling	Ms. Shunique Mayo Email: symayo@galenaparkisd.com Masters in Education

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The Role of the Counselors

The role of the counselors at North Shore Middle School is to contribute to students' overall success through methods of individual planning, guidance curriculum, responsive services, and system support.  The counselors collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students are met. 

Leadership  & Advocacy

At North Shore Middle School, the counselors take a leadership role as liaisons with communication between parents and the school.  With 48.5% of our school population as English Language Learners, the language barrier can cause parents to feel uncomfortable or unable to trust communicating with the school.  The counselors make it a priority to maintain school/home partnerships by hosting several parent involvement meetings throughout the school year.  The counselors lead staff trainings such as student engagement, family friendly schools, and suicide/self-harm that educates staff and advocates for equitable services for all students.