The elementary counselor works with individuals, groups and classes to help students acquire social and communicative skills, and to build the confidence and self-esteem necessary for productive interaction with teachers, peers, and families. The counselor provides students with the skills they need to solve their problems, enhance their lives and help them learn to relax and cope when confronted with stress-producing situations. The counselor is also available for consultation with teachers and parents.

My name is Leslie Dempsey and I have a Masters Degree in School Guidance and Counseling from Angelo State University. I have been in the education field for 29 years and look forward to spending this my 30th year with your children. You may contact me through the offices of either school.

*Works with individuals, groups of students and parents.
*Consults with school staff to assist students.
*Provides programs on topics such as problem solving, development of self-esteem and coping strategies, social skills training, changing families, teamwork, conflickt management and character education.
*Assists parents in making use of community resources.
*Provides crisis intervention for children faced with stressful events such as divorce, abuse, death, family breakdown, peer problems, etc.
*Reviews test results and offers insights into student's abilities, needs, interests and strengths to facilitate academic planning.