Counseling
Our counselors contribute to your child's academic success by utilizing various counselor strategies, including:
- Cultivating hope and optimism
- Supporting emotional identification, expression, and regulation
- Building social awareness and interpersonal skills
- Teaching effective coping strategies
- Promoting career exploration and awareness
- Encouraging positive self-talk and self-confidence
- Recognizing and managing stress, anxiety, and fear
- Setting realistic and achievable goals
- Fostering positive and realistic expectations
Our programs modeled after the ASCA National Model. The ASCA National Model guides school counselors in the development of school counseling programs that:
- are based on data-informed decision making
- are delivered to all students systematically
- include a developmentally appropriate curriculum focused on the mindsets and behaviors all students need for postsecondary readiness and success
- close achievement and opportunity gaps (see how equity is woven into the ASCA National Model)
- results in improvement student achievement, attendance and discipline
Meet Our Counselors
Ms. Sherry Ferguson
Ms. Sherry Ferguson serves as the School Counselor for students in grades PreK, 3, 4, and 5 at Ferguson Elementary. She is dedicated to fostering students' academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and college and career readiness through a comprehensive school counseling program.
Using the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model as a framework, Ms. Ferguson delivers a Comprehensive School Counseling Program that supports the development of all students through classroom counseling lessons, small group counseling, and individual student support. She collaborates with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community stakeholders to help remove barriers to learning and ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Ms. Ferguson is passionate about helping students develop self-confidence, resilience, emotional regulation, positive relationships, and responsible decision-making skills. She believes every child deserves to feel valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Ms. Ferguson holds an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Education, School Counseling and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling. She is committed to lifelong learning and advocating for the academic, career, and social-emotional success of all students.
When she is not at school, Ms. Ferguson enjoys spending time with her family and friends. During the fall, you can often find her in Athens cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and enjoying all the excitement of football season. Go Dawgs!
"Every child deserves to be seen, heard, supported, and empowered to succeed."
Ms. Lauren Danish
Hello! My name is Lauren Danish, and I am the K-2 School Counselor at Ferguson Elementary. I am currently in my 12th year as a school counselor and my 11th year at Ferguson. I am passionate about supporting students and helping them develop the social, emotional, academic, and career readiness skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and both my Master of Education and Education Specialist degrees in Professional School Counseling from the University of Georgia. I am currently pursuing my Doctor of Education (EdD) in Professional Counseling and Supervision at the University of West Georgia.
When I am not at school, I enjoy reading, crocheting, traveling, and spending time with my family and friends. I feel fortunate to be part of the Ferguson Elementary community and look forward to supporting our students and families each year.