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Guidance

Angie McGinnis

Elementary Guidance
Mohawk Elementary School

 

Nurturing Every Student: Elementary School Counseling & School Facility Dog Program

The Role of the Elementary School Counselor

At Mohawk Local School District, the School Counseling Program plays a crucial role in supporting the goal of Ohio’s Whole Child Framework; “When students are healthy, feel safe, are supported through strong systems and relationships, are challenged and experience success, and are engaged in learning that is relevant and meaningful, they are more likely to achieve greater success.”

At the elementary level, Mrs. McGinnis collaborates with staff, families and community partners to create a positive and inclusive school environment and promote students’ academic, social and emotional growth. Her goal is to help students feel safe, supported and ready to learn every day.  Research supports that when students feel emotionally safe and supported and are supplied with the tools needed to regulate their emotions and develop healthy relationships, they are more likely to flourish academically and socially.  This support is supplied through the following:

  • Classroom lessons on empathy, resilience, problem-solving, bullying prevention, career development and personal safety
  • Small-group sessions on topics such as managing feelings, social skill development, coping with worry/anxiety and executive functioning skills
  • Individual support for students experiencing anxiety, grief, school stress, or challenges with peer relationships
  • Family resource connections including community mental health, crisis support and connections to a variety of local resources.

The above is taken from the article,  “The Essential Role of Elementary School Counselors,” American School Counselor Association

 

Our School Facility Dog, Harry!

Our School Facility Dog, Harry, not only enhances the school counseling program at Mohawk, but he reaches students, staff and families in a way that only a dog can!

Harry began his career at Mohawk in the fall of 2020, a crucial time for a new kind of social-emotional support.  He brought an ease and connection to our district just walking the halls.  But Harry does so much more!  He provides comfort, levity, unconditional acceptance and an example of unconditional love and acceptance.  He provides a disarming presence that can open communication with a resistant or dysregulated student and provide comfort in moments of anxiety or grief.  

Harry also helps to support the academic, social-emotional, behavior goals of our school.  He accompanies Mrs. McGinnis to classroom lessons, small groups and individual counseling.  He is regularly used as a point of reference during those interactions to exemplify emotional regulation, empathy, and acceptance of others.  

Harry is often chosen by students as a reward for achieving behavior and academic goals.   Students can play fetch or read to Harry, or brush him and play hide and seek with his special toy.  In this way, Harry helps them work hard to reach their goals.

According to a 2024 article from The Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, “Therapy dogs enhance learning for young children,” Student interaction with School Therapy/Facility Dogs result in improvements in children’s behavior, reduced anxiety, increased self-esteem, enhanced motivation and overall well-being. Those improvements in turn can facilitate learning and contribute to gains in learning outcomes, such as reading.

How the therapy dog program supports students:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety during challenging moments
  • Encourages communication and trust
  • Builds confidence in students who may struggle with reading, social interactions, or transitions
  • Creates a welcoming and comforting school environment
A black dog wearing a donut-shaped toy on its head, surrounded by various colorful and decorated donuts in the background.
A brown dog wearing a red and white striped hat and a red bandana is sitting in a room with various colorful posters and decorations on the walls.
A smiling person in a food truck window interacts with a large brown dog in the foreground, with a menu board visible in the background.
The image shows a decorated vehicle with various Halloween-themed characters and decorations, including a smiling pumpkin, a black cat, and other colorful figures. In the foreground, a dog is sitting in the vehicle, appearing to be part of the display.
A black Labrador retriever wearing a red and black plaid shirt sits in front of a large window overlooking a snowy winter landscape, with a Christmas tree and other holiday decorations in the foreground.
A young girl in a colorful costume is smiling and interacting with a black dog in the foreground, while various items and decorations can be seen in the background.
A green, Grinch-like character in a red Santa outfit is sitting on top of a black dog wearing a striped scarf and sneakers, in what appears to be a school hallway setting.
A group of five smiling young women, some with long hair, are gathered around a brown dog in what appears to be a classroom or study area with various items on a table in the background.