The JES student support staff is available to help with the academic and personal well being of every Jordan Elementary School student.
What is a School Social Worker?
School social workers are trained mental health professionals who provide services related to students' social and emotional well-being. We also provide support and resources to parents, guardians and teachers to help maintain the emotional health of children and their families.
School social workers provide direct services to students, families, and school personnel to promote social and academic success. We are licensed through the Minnesota Department of Education, as well as the Minnesota Board of Social Work.
What is a School Psychologist?*
School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.
School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. They help schools successfully: improve academic achievement, promote positive behavior and mental health, support diverse learners, create safe and positive school climates, strengthen family-school partnerships, and improve school-wide assessment and accountability.
All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.
(*adapted from the NASP brochure, “Who Are School Psychologists?”)
What is a Behavior Specialist?
Ms. Sarah Miller, JES Behavior Specialist and district Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Specialist. Ms. Miller supports our students, staff and families in numerous ways throughout the school day, as well as after hours. She works in classrooms co-teaching with teachers on culturally responsive pedagogy practices. She is the main staff member who has conversations with students when they have difficulty making positive choices, and discusses how their behavior is impacting the classroom and school community. It may stay at the conversation level, or it may result in consequences at school. If the behavior is extensive or has happened frequently, the student may need to also meet with the principal. Our goal is to teach positive behaviors expected in the classroom, on the bus, or in other areas of the school. She works directly with teachers, school social worker, Ms. Nefstead, Mr. Burrill, Benjamin Bus Manager, Mr. Malik Peer, JPS Equity and Outreach Specialist, as well as Ms. Barnett, in supporting our students, families and staff. Her twenty-plus years in our district as a classroom teacher at JMS and her certification in culturally responsive pedagogy, brings a great amount of knowledge and experience to our school.