Elementary Counselor's Corner

Mrs. Westfall is married with 2 children, a dog, a cat, and multiple favorite cows. This is her second year at Mineral Springs where she serves as the District K-12 Counselor, Parental Engagement Coordinator, Military Education Coordinator and Homeless Liaison. Mrs. Westfall has 22 years experience in public education.

My vision is to empower every K-12 student to become a self-aware, resilient, and intentional decision-maker. I envision a community where all students recognize the power of their choices, cultivate deep self-awareness, and confidently navigate their unique academic, social-emotional, and career paths. No matter their background or barriers, our graduates will step into the world as empathetic, accountable citizens equipped to break generational cycles and advocate for their own futures.

By delivering targeted classroom guidance, responsive individual and group counseling, and community-aligned resources, we strive to: • Cultivate Intentional Awareness: Teach students to recognize that every choice has a consequence, helping them develop critical problem-solving and proactive decision-making skills. • Remove Barriers to Access: Mitigate rural socioeconomic limitations by ensuring all students have equitable access to mental health support, academic enrichment, and post-secondary exposure. • Foster Whole-Child Development: Nurture social-emotional resilience, self-advocacy, and emotional regulation from kindergarten through graduation. • Bridge School and Community: Partner deeply with local families, staff, and rural stakeholders to build a safe, supportive network that champions every student's potential.

• Every student possesses inherent value and deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and unconditional positive regard. • A student’s environment does not define their potential; our program must actively champion equity, access, and opportunity. • Self-awareness and accountability are foundational skills that can be taught, practiced, and mastered over time. • Effective school counseling requires systemic collaboration between the counselor, educators, families, and community partners.