As school counselors, our mission is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of all students. Through advocacy, leadership, and collaboration, school counselors are professional student advocates who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement.

School Counselors

LaQuisha Brown

Hello BHESA Tiger Family!

My name is LaQuisha Brown, and I am one of your school counselors here at Benton Heights Elementary School of Arts. I started here at BHESA in January 2024 and am excited about what the school year has in store for us all. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in December 2018 from Bethune-Cookman University. I recently graduated from the University of South Carolina with an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling in May 2024. This will be my first full year as a school counselor and I look forward to meeting you all and building amazing relationships with the students, faculty, and parents. As school counselors, we are here to provide support to all of our students here at BHESA and their families! Providing classroom lessons, individual counseling, small group counseling, consultation services, 504 coordinators, and planning special events that help improve academics, attendance, and behavior. While promoting and supporting social-emotional needs. My goal as the school counselor is to help advocate for students and provide them with all the help and tools needed to be successful academically and socially. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email or phone.

Email: laquisha.brown@ucps.k12.nc.us

Phone: 704-296-3100

Emma York

Hi! My name is Emma York, and I am one of the School Counselors here at Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts. This is my first year at Benton Heights and as a school counselor! I received my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University and am currently in my master’s degree program for School Counseling at Liberty University. My goal as a school counselor is to be there for each student at Benton Heights and give each student the opportunity to learn. Students can meet with me individually or in small groups to work on feelings, behaviors, and academic issues. I will also be interacting with students through classroom lessons. Here I teach students how to be a successful and well-rounded student, how to manage emotions, and how to interact well with peers.

Please email me at emma.york@ucps.k12.nc.us or call me during school hours (704-296-3100) with any questions or concerns. You or your student can message me through ClassDOJO in your student's teacher's class. I look forward to getting to know each of you this year! 

School Social Worker

Kayla Ritchie

kayla.chapman@ucps.k12.nc.us

Mrs. Ritchie’s Website link: https://sites.google.com/ucps.k12.nc.us/school-social-worker-ritchie-k/home

I am a liaison between the school, home, and the community. You’ll often see me visiting classrooms, talking with students and families, or assisting staff so that we can offer your students the best education possible. 

Feel free to reach out about any of the following topics:

• Individual Counseling or Group Counseling for your child 
  • After the death of a loved one
  • During a big change or stressful time
  • Friendship and conflict resolution skills
  • Confidence and working towards goals
• Support for your family during hard times
• Food Program - Pantry Packs
• Bright Blessings Birthday Bags
• Housing insecurity 
• Community resources and school materials 
  • School supplies
  • Coats, gloves, scarves, hats
  • Hygiene Packets 
  • Shoes
• Attendance Improvement 

School counselors recognize their primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balance that obligation with an understanding of the family or guardians’ legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives (ASCA Code of Ethics).

The role of the school counselor in regards to confidentiality is:

• To support the students right to privacy and protect confidential information received from students, the family, guardian and staff members
• To explain the meaning and limits of confidentiality to students in developmentally appropriate terms
• To provide appropriate disclosure and informed consent regarding the counseling relationship and confidentiality
• To inform students and the family of the limits to confidentiality when: Student poses a danger to self or others, Court ordered disclosure, Consultation with other professionals in support of the student i.e. colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams, and other support personnel
• To keep personal notes separate from educational records and not disclose their contents except when privacy exceptions exist
• To seek guidance from supervisors and appropriate legal advice when their records are subpoenaed
• To assert their belief that information shared by students is “confidential” and should not be revealed without the student’s consent
• To adhere to all laws protecting student records, health information, and special services (i.e., HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA)