Yerger Middle School

HOPE – The school guidance counselor corps of the Hope Public Schools has brought more than two centuries of public education experience to aid the students of the HPS recognized during National School Counseling Week, Feb. 1-5.

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Hope Mayor Don Still declared the week of Feb. 1-5 as Arkansas Public Schools Counselor Week in Hope to salute HPS counselors Varonica Kennedy, Kayla Jones (career coach), Hope High School; Joyce Smith, Yerger Middle School; Marilyn Marks, Hope Academy of Public Service; Christi Sullivan, Beryl Henry Elementary School; and Shauntelle Jarvis and Paige Bobo, Clinton Primary School.\r\n

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The proclamation notes the active commitment of school counselors to help students explore their potential and consider their future while working with teachers and other educators to help students set realistic goals for that journey.\r\n

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“Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school,” the proclamation states.\r\n

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Among the seven counselor positions on the five main campuses of the HPS there is a total of 230 years of educational service experience. Of that total, there are 84 years of experience in counseling services specifically. The difference marks the importance of a background in public school classrooms for the HPS counselors.\r\n

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Native to Washington in Hempstead County, Joyce Smith graduated as valedictorian from Lincoln High School there in 1976 at age 16. With a BSE in special education from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, she taught for 11 years in California, Texas, and Arkansas before taking her MSE in counseling from East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas. Smith is the dean of the counselor corps for the HPS and has served as counselor at Yerger Middle School for 30 years.\r\n

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“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, postsecondary options and social/emotional skills,” American School Counselor Association Executive Director Jill Cook said. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”\r\n

Smith was recognized by YMS administration, faculty and staff with a reception in the Yerger library on Feb. 5.