Counseling

Supporting Student Development

The DMPS school counseling program positively impacts student achievement through curriculum, interventions, and equitable access to resources that empower students to acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills to successfully transition to the next stage of their lives. School counselors support the social/emotional, academic, and career development of all students through the delivery of a comprehensive program consisting of four major components: classroom counseling, responsive services, individual student planning, and system support.  Topics addressed through the school counseling curriculum include: self-regulation, problem-solving/decision-making, effective relationships, personal safety & well-being, college, career, and academic pathways, and transition to middle school and high school.  Through responsive services and individual student planning, school counselors support students individually or in small groups.  These interventions are designed to remove barriers and help students acquire the knowledge, attitude, and skills to improve attendance, behavior, and/or achievement.    Finally, through system support, school counselors work collaboratively with families, school staff, and community resources to create a systemic approach to supporting the needs of the whole child.

Four elementary programs (Madison, Findley, Brubaker and King) have earned the RAMP designation (Recognized ASCA Model Program) awarded by the American School Counseling Association. In addition, DMPS counselors are regular contributors to the Iowa School Counselor Association State Conference and are called on to serve, advise, or present at the local, state, and national levels on programming related to childhood and adolescent developmental issues.

DMPS counselors are professionals who hold a master’s degree and Iowa licensure in school counseling.

For more detailed information on school counseling services, please contact your child’s school or the DMPS School Counseling Department.

Elementary School Counseling Specialist
Heather Korte
Heather.Korte@dmschools.org
2100 Fleur Drive; Des Moines, IA 50321
515-242-7717

Middle School Counseling Specialist
Jennifer Blumberg
Jennifer.Blumberg@dmschools.org
2100 Fleur Drive; Des Moines, IA 50321
515-242-8508

High School Counseling Specialist
Amy Abler
Amy.Abler@dmschools.org
2100 Fleur Drive; Des Moines, Iowa 50321
515-242-8314