About Mrs. Beckham and the PRMS School Counseling Department

Julia Beckham

School Counselor, M. Ed., Ed.S, GCDF

Pine Ridge Middle School

735 Pine Ridge Drive

West Columbia, SC 29172

Mrs. Beckham graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1995 with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. Following this she continued her education at USC by attaining both a Masters in Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Counselor Education in 2001. She spent her first year employed by a grant and worked as a school counselor in two large middle schools in Lexington School District One in 2001-2002. When the grant ended in 2002 an opportunity arose to begin her own program in a elementary school in Sumter, South Carolina. Though her preference has always been to work in a middle school, this was an opportunity to build a better understanding of the development and student needs in the primary years. After four years as an elementary counselor, a position was offered to her at Pine Ridge Middle School which was much closer to home and in a middle school. Originally, Mrs. Beckham completed her practicum in Lexington School District Two at Airport High School and her internship at Fulmer Middle School as the final requirement for her preparation as a certified school counselor. This was a chance to return and give back to the district that first helped her complete her training, and to work with the age group best suited for her skills and interests. While at PRMS she has also attained the certification as a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF).

Mrs. Beckham began at PRMS in 2006 and replaced Dr. Lawther, the only counselor Pine Ridge Middle had since opening its doors in 1972. She maintains a comprehensive and developmental guidance and counseling program designed to meet the personal, social, academic and career needs of the students. Mrs. Bouknight, also a Global Career Development Facilitator (Career Specialist), assists in the delivery of the career component of the PRMS Guidance Program. This allows Mrs. Beckham to provide more Responsive Services related to crisis intervention and the counseling needs of middle school students. Responsive include brief counseling, small group counseling, consultation and referral. Strict adherence to student and family confidentiality is maintained as outlined by the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics and the State of South Carolina Code of Laws SECTION 40-75-190.

The PRMS Guidance Program also includes a Classroom Guidance Lessons and other large group guidance services to both students, parents and staff related to student and school needs. Classroom guidance lessons are conducted once a nine weeks in each grade. Lesson topics include: Internet Safety, Bullying, Peer Pressure, Conflict Resolution, Study Skills, and College and Career Readiness.

Mrs. Beckham also assists with:

*McKinney Vento Liaison (Homeless students)

*Student Assistance Team Member

*Community assistance information and referrals

*Truancy

About the PRMS School Counseling Department

The School Counselor’s primary role and responsibility is to oversee the implementation of the South Carolina Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model.

School Counselors fulfill this task through both direct and indirect services. Direct services are outlined as classroom guidance, individual counseling and small group counseling. Indirect services are outlined as consultation and collaboration with administrators, parents, faculty and support staff, district and community agency representatives and businesses. The counselor supports and oversees the work of the Career Development Facilitator whose primary responsibilities are derived from the state comprehensive model. The career aspect of the model is under the Learning to Work domain.

We believe that implementation of a comprehensive counseling and guidance program is an essential aspect of education for every student, at all levels. These supportive programs facilitate student development in educational, career and social/personal domains. Our program helps promote superior educational opportunities, lifelong learning, responsible, productive citizenship and successful students. We take pride in our commitment to introduce and prepare our students for college and career readiness.

College and career activities and guidance is facilitated by our Career Development Facilitator, Lynn Bouknight.

LINKS

American School Counselor Association - The Role of the School Counselor

South Carolina Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model

PRMS Parent/Teacher School Counseling Request Form

Student School Counseling Request Form