Counseling & Social Work
Social and emotional well-being for every student in the Pea Ridge School District is an important priority to our staff.
The Role of Counselors
Pea Ridge School Counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development. Our counselors work with students individually and collectively to create a school climate that leads to healthy learning, living, and growth. Pea Ridge Counselors offer individual counseling and assist students in resolving personal or interpersonal problems. We offer small group counseling to help students enhance listening and social skills, learn to empathize with others, and find social support through healthy peer relationships.
In returning back to school, Pea Ridge School Counselors are collaborating with administrators and teachers to align Social Emotional Learning with academic standards throughout all Pea Ridge Campuses. Counselors are implementing SEL (Social Emotional Learning) competencies to include awareness of one’s own strengths and limitations, emotional self-regulation, respect for others, communication skills, collaboration skills, problem solving skills, respect for others, and intrapersonal and interpersonal skills that are critical for academic and personal success. Social and emotional development is a continual process as students learn to apply skills. Counselors are aligning social emotional goals with academic goals to help support healthy social and academic development in all Pea Ridge Students.
Supports and Services
- Individual School Guidance Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Vocational and Career Guidance
- Classroom Guidance
- Collaboration and Consulting with Administrators, Teachers,Students, and Community
- Crisis Counseling and Responsive Services
- Student Advocacy
- College Applications, Jobs, and Scholarships
- Needs Assessments Clinic (479-256-5080 ext. 6145).
Holiday Resources During a Pandemic
Events & Announcements
Mental Health Services
If interested in services for your student, please contact your counselor.
Team
It’s such an honor to work with this amazing group of counselors. It’s exciting to see the difference they can make in the lives of the students and the connections they make with parents and community. I am positive that each counselor will go above and beyond to assist any child in being academically successful and meeting their social emotional needs. The counseling department and social work department believe that school is where students often start developing the skills needed to become happy and healthy as well as realize their incredible potential. We are always here to help and our doors are always open.
I have been in school counseling for over 20 years. My passion is in building relationships with families, students, and the Pea Ridge Community. I have my B.A. from Northeastern State University, an M.Ed. from University of Arkansas, and my Ed.S. from Harding University in Clinical Mental Health. I worked in the Oklahoma Prison System, Moss School System in Oklahoma, and the Springdale School System before I became the Counseling Coordinator for the Pea Ridge Public School System. I love the town, the schools, the community, and the students. I feel like I became an official part of the community when I attended the Mule Jump, which has become one of my favorite events!
I have three grown children and beautiful granddaughters. One of my granddaughters attends Pea Ridge Primary School and I have another who isn’t far behind. My husband Patrick and I enjoy family and friends, cookouts, live music, and biking in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Over the course of her career as a social worker, case manager, therapist, and program administrator working with children and families, Amanda has learned that school is often the place where children find the safety, security and connection necessary to develop the necessary skills to have happy, healthy, and successful lives. Amanda is excited to be a part of a team of staff and administrators that are dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for each and every student.
Holly Dayberry
High School Counselor
I received a BSE in Mathematics at Arkansas State University, a M.Ed in Administration from the University of Arkansas, and a M.S. in School Counseling from the University of Central Arkansas. I have been in education for 22 years, and 21 of them have been in Pea Ridge. I have served as a high school math teacher, principal, and currently a high school counselor. I am from Northcentral Arkansas but Pea Ridge has become my home, where I raise my five children who are all Blackhawks. My children have participated in various sports activities and I enjoy being a part of their programs to not only watching them, but also my students grow and excel in athletic events. The students and staff at the high school are family, and my door is always open to them and my community.
Cathy has thirty years experience as a school counselor from grades K-12 and has also taught 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, special education and ESL. Cathay is particularly excited to be the counselor at the new Pea Ridge Junior High School and looks forward to working with all the students, incredible staff and parents.
While a new counselor in the district, Taylor isn’t new to the Pea Ridge community! He has worked as a Literacy teacher the past three years, making this his fourth year in the middle school building. Taylor is excited to use his expertise as an empathetic educator in his new role as a counselor and can’t wait to help the 5th & 6th students in Pea Ridge!
We are so happy to live here in Pea Ridge and be a part of this wonderful community, excited that both of us now serve the Pea Ridge School District, and proud that our children are Blackhawks! I’m looking forward to meeting you all and having an amazing year with my school family!
Kesley grew up in Rogers, AR and loved it so much she had to move back to NWA. Kelsey has a bachelors in Psychology from the University of Arkansas and a masters in School Counseling from John Brown University.Kelsey loves all things outdoors and exploring the natural state!
Otis Wayne Woods
Pea Ridge Therapy Dog
Otis loves to come to school and absolutely adores the students at Pea Ridge. Although Otis isn’t your average looking therapy dog, he has the unique talent of knowing when he is needed to help calm, reward, and simply be there for our students. Otis, in return, is given so much love by everyone in the Blackhawk Family.
Monday - Thursday: 7:30-4:00
Friday: 7:30-3:30
Local: 1-479-451-8181
TF: 1-800-451-0032
Fax: 1-479-431-6095
Pea Ridge School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin or disability in any of its policies, practices or procedures.