Guidance and Counseling
Director of Guidance and Counseling
Janet Mattern, BA, MS, M.F.T.I.
St. Thomas University
Masters in Guidance and Counseling
Telephone: 305-226-8152 ext. 251
E-mail:janetm@floridachristian.org
Director of College Counseling, CAP Counselor
Griselda Bain, BS, M.Ed.
Florida International University
Union Institute and University
Masters in Guidance and Counseling
Telephone: 305-226-8152 ext. 282
E-mail: GBain@floridachristian.org
The Guidance Department at Florida Christian School was formally established during the 1999-2000 school year. Since its inception, its goal has been to provide comprehensive guidance services to students in kindergarten through high school. At the present time, the department is staffed by two full- time counselors. They provide a variety of guidance services that include counseling, consultation, referral, and educational/ career planning.
The counseling services encompass individual counseling, group counseling, classroom observation of students, and developmental guidance in the classrooms. The counselors are available to students on a daily basis for individual counseling. In addition, both counselors visit the classrooms and teach guidance lessons. Some of the topics addressed through classroom intervention include social skills development, bully prevention, and career and college planning.
The guidance counselors also provide consultation to parents, teachers, and administration on psycho-educational issues. Very often the counselors serve as a liaison between faculty, parents, students, and community mental health professionals. The Guidance Department offers a variety of services to the parents. These include: parenting seminars, counseling, consultation, and referrals. The Guidance Department also publishes articles regularly on a variety of parenting issues in The Declaration, the Florida Christian School newsletter.
Educational and career planning is addressed through various means. The guidance counselors meet with each 9th grade student. At the session, the student takes a vocational and career placement test and discusses the results with the counselor. A pre-college planner is also given to the student and discussed at this time. Students begin a portfolio in 9th grade with the assistance of the counselor. The guidance counselor also visits each 9th grade class and does a presentation on career and college planning. Throughout the high school years, the students add to their portfolio. The English Department works in conjunction with the Guidance Department to assist the students in this project. The guidance counselor continues to provide assistance to the students throughout the four years of high school through classroom presentations and information that is distributed on financial aid and scholarships. College and academic counseling is also provided through other professionals at Florida Christian School. The High School Principal, the Media Specialist, and the Athletic Director all assist students in this area.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING
Mrs. Janet Mattern has been head of our Guidance and Counseling Department for the last 6 years. Continuing in this capacity and to better serve our families in August 2005, Mrs. Mattern completed a post Master's Degree program and received a Graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Thomas University. As a result of the completion of the program, and fulfilling all of the requirements for the State of Florida, Mrs. Mattern is now a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with the State of Florida Department of Health, under the supervision of Mr. Walt Liebman, ED.S.
During the school year, Mrs. Mattern's office hours are from 7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. here at Florida Christian School. After school, evening and summer appointments can be arranged at your convenience.
