School Counseling
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Our Mission
"Guiding Your Child To A Brighter Future." Our mission at Health Science Academy at Monroe Middle School is to develop students who are independent problem solvers that understand their strengths and how to align them with good choices. In doing this, we hope to promote good character and bring forth success and happiness. In order to fulfill this mission the counseling department has developed a comprehensive school counseling program. With the collaborative effort of school personnel, families, and community resources, the school counseling program will provide every student opportunities to become productive citizens of a global society.
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Academic Achievement
- Provide more on task time
- Reduce disruptive behavior
- Build confidence to achieve success
Our counselors collaborate with administrators to fulfill the mission of the school.
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Career Development
- Discuss child's goals
- Build on their personality and interests
- Explore job opportunities
Middle grade students are not too young to begin an understanding of their work world. The door to the future is open. Our goal is to empower our students by identifying options to what lies ahead.
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Personal Development
- Self Esteem
- Relationship Development
- Skills for Coping with Change
Believing in you and in others can lead to satisfying relationships at school, home, and eventually the work place. Preparing your child for various situations is essential.
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Services Provided
- Individual Counseling
- Small Group Counseling
- Consultation
- Collaboration
- Referrals
Confidentiality Statement
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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)
Meet Our Counselors
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Cassandra Davis (6th Grade)
My name is Ms. Davis. I am the sixth grade counselor at Health Science Academy at Monroe Middle School. This is my 6th year as a school counselor at Monroe.
I grew up in Greenville, Pennsylvania and graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Psychology. In 2004, I relocated to Charlotte, NC where I began advocating for the success of students by empowering them and their family. I graduated from Liberty University in December 2018 with a Masters of Education. In August 2018 I became employed with Union County Public Schools. I am a Nationally Certified Counselor, as well as a member of the American School Counselor Association.
- Email: cassandra.davis@ucps.k12.nc.us
- Phone: 704-296-3120
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Jelissa Conway (7th Grade)
Ms. Conway has been a school counselor in UCPS since 2016 and began working at Monroe Middle during the 2020-2021 school year. She received a Bachelor’s in Sociology in 2008 from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. She graduated from Stetson University in DeLand, FL in 2012 with a Masters in Family Counseling. Ms. Conway is from Jefferson, SC where she still resides.
Ms. Conway has worked with kids in some capacity since she was a teenager, volunteering in local schools. She enjoys helping kids in various ways including finding their passion in life and making plans for their future as well as growing socially, academically, and emotionally. Ms. Conway is passionate about understanding trauma and operating as a trauma-informed educator, helping students regulate emotions, crisis resolution, and advocating for students and populations without a voice. Ms. Conway is also the head cheerleading coach at Monroe Middle and an assistant softball coach at Monroe High School. Ms. Conway loves working with her students and their families. She can always be found cheering the loudest at any RedHawk sporting event!
- Email: jelissa.conway@ucps.k12.nc.us
- Phone: 704-296-3120
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Jamori McNeil (8th Grade)
I am super excited to be working with 8th graders at Health and Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle School for the 24-25 school year! While this is my first year working with middle school, this is also my 7th year working within education.
I began as a Kindergarten teacher assistant at Movement Charter School and then Sardis Elementary. After obtaining my Masters degree in School Counseling, I began my school counseling tenure at Wingate Elementary and then transitioned to Shamrock Gardens Elementary.
Throughout my many years of experiences in different schools, Union County has always been home to me. I grew up in Indian Trail and attended Shiloh Elementary, Sun Valley Middle and Sun Valley High. Being able to give back to a community so close to home, means a lot to me, and I am looking forward to a great school year!
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, traveling, and reading. I also help take care of dogs at a daycare/boarding facility called PetSuites. I have a huge compassion for dogs and even have a 60 pound, 2 year old Labradoodle of my own named Behr (Bear). He is super sweet and loving, but also very hyper and requires a lot of attention and maintenance!
- Email: jamori.mcneil@ucps.k12.nc.us
- Phone: 704-296-3120
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Alex Lago (ESL Counselor)
- Email: alex.lago@ucps.k12.nc.us
- Phone: 704-238-1190, ext. 2225
