Counselor's Corner

Introducing . . . Maria Sherrod, Your School Counselor

        My name is Maria Sherrod and I am your School Counselor at Fayetteville Intermediate School.  A cheerleader and advocate for children, I came to Fayette County by way of Northwest Atlanta.  A product of Atlanta Public Schools, I went on to further my education at South Carolina State University (SCSU) where I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education.  Immediately after graduating from SCSU, I entered the University of Georgia’s School Counseling Program where I soon received my Master’s of Education degree.  While in my third year at FIS, I decided to get more education and returned to UGA for my Educational Specialist degree in School Counseling.  Throughout my undergraduate and graduate career I have continued to be a part of programs and organizations that promote the educational and emotional welfare of children.

Continuing in my effort to promote positive programs for kids, I would like to encourage all individuals who have free time to dedicate to our children to participate in the Mentor Program.  To become a mentor one must complete an application and background check.  Mentors are asked to make a one-year commitment and spend at least one hour per week at the school with their student. 

We also have a plethora of other programs at Fayetteville Intermediate that assist in the development of kids socially and emotionally, such as Rainbows and Second Step.  RAINBOWS is a support group for students who are experiencing grief, loss, or divorce.  If you are interested in checking out a book to read to your child about death, grief, and loss, please feel free to stop by FIS and check out the two books we have available for loan.  They are Saying Goodbye by Jim Boulden and When a Friend Dies by Marilyn E. Gootman.  We encourage you to read these books WITH your child so you may answer any questions they have, comfort them as they read, and reassure them of any fears they may have.  Second Step is our school-wide character education program that is taught by our teachers.  The purpose of the programs at our school focus on prevention; we believe that if we teach our students the skills they need to be productive citizens they will already have the tools to “do the right thing” at all times.  We welcome your questions and your time as we move forward in this effort.  Please contact me if you wish to participate in any of these initiatives as we continue “Pursuing Excellence in Academics and Character.”

Download Grief Handout Here

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