Guidance and Counseling Department Downtown Elementary Magnet Academy

AE Johnson / Counselor                                                           Candice Walsh / CSU Intern Student

        Welcome to Downtown's Guidance and Counseling site! It is a new year with a plethora of new adventures just under each sunrise! I am very excited about sharing new journeys with kids, teachers, families and our community as the highway of life rolls on!

     One service this department offers for students is classroom guidance. Candice and I will be going into each classroom once a week through December. We will discuss with students way cope with life stresses as well as personal safety tips. We will also cover test taking and study skills. I do want to mention this...check out the testing schedule on the next page. This is the schedule for all grades this 2009-2010 school year.

     For individual sessions, students may be referred to me by their parents, by teachers or themselves. Issues we discuss in my office remain confidential unless someone is in danger.

     This year as we do individual sessions,  students will be keeping a portfolio of their work as we discuss personal or scholastic problems. We will do a lot of art and writing therapy. With portfolios, students have the ability review their work and monitor personal progress.

     As a counselor, I have been lucky enough to have served kids, families, faculty and our community here at Downtown Elementary for 10 years now. Gosh! Time just flys!!! I earned my Master's and then Educational Specialist degrees at Troy State. I also am a certified classroom teacher and have a degree in Art from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. 

     I live with my husband Rick, two cat children Trouble and Smoochie, and a new sweeeeeet third child, a coonhound pup named Maizy. We have just moved Downtown from North Columbus and LUV it! I hope to see you around the neighborhood! I will be the girl with a camera and Maizy in tow. If there is any way I may assist you...please do not hesitate to contact me.

Amy Johnson