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School Counselor

A school counselors, are certified, trained, and caring professionals who works with students, parents, teachers, staff and the community, in order for each student to achieve academic and social success. School Counseling services are delivered in four specific ways:

  • School Counseling Lessons- I design and deliver lessons to all students, in all grades, in various classrooms. Lessons are based upon specific needs according to the school population in the following domains: personal/social, academic, and career.
  • Individual Student Planning- I assist students with goal formation/planning for their futures on an individual, as needed, appointment basis. All 8th graders will have an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP) meeting this school year.
  • Responsive Services- I assist students with their needs for brief counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, peer mediation, and other information. This is by appointment, and is brief in nature. If a student needs mental health counseling, I will refer a community counseling resource to the parents.
  • System Support- I assist in school-wide program planning, I consult with other professionals, and coordinate of various supports for students and their families.

Whale Branch Middle School Counselors Laverne Lawton and Cristina Gambrell can be reached at 843.466.3070/843-466-3088.  Email: laverne. Lawton@beaufort.k12.sc.us or Cristina.Gambrell@beaufort.k12.sc.us. To meet Ms. Lawton or Mrs. Gambrell in person, place an appointment slip or note in the lock-box outsider their office. Ms. Lawton and Mrs. Gambrell are available for individual or group appointments due to (but not limited to):

  • Friendship problems
  • New situations
  • Difficult decisions
  • Academic concerns
  • Family issues
  • Death or serious illness

Behaviors such as increased levels of anxiety, depression, or anger; a withdrawal from regular activities; or a reluctance to attend school may be signs that a student needs additional support beyond what the school counseling office can offer. Ms. Lawson will be able to put you in contact with the appropriate community agencies. If your family is experiencing an emergency that may effect your child at school, she can help you and the classroom teacher develop a plan to provide your child with some extra support until other services can be put in place.

Visit the American School Counselor Association and SC Career Clusters Activity for Students for more information.

Watch our videos to help students as they transition from 8th grade into  Whale Branch Early College High School, Battery Creek High School, or Beaufort High School.