Westland MS - Counseling

As an integral part of the International Baccalaureate World School community, it is the mission of the Westland MS Counseling Department to support the development of “inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.” We work in partnership with all stakeholders to promote every student’s academic success, personal, interpersonal and healthy development, and long term planning and goal setting.

Vision Statement

It is the vision of the Westland Middle School Counseling Department to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all students are empowered academically, socially and emotionally to reach their personal and academic potential.

Counselors

Counselor assignment can be found on your child’s schedule

	School Psychologist Ashley Boswell Hi! I am Dr. Boswell, your school psychologist. I was born and raised in Silver Spring, MD, and previously lived in NYC and NJ. I attended George Washington University for my undergraduate studies, and Rutgers University for graduate school. At Westland, I help students manage stress, regulate their emotions, and develop positive coping strategies. I am a co-sponsor of our Sexuality, and Gender Acceptance (SAGA) Club. My "virtual" door is always open! My schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 8:30 - 3 pm.
	Resource Counselor 6th Grade (A-L) Mrs. Fischer Mrs. Fischer graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in Psychology. She went on to earn a Master’s of Science degree in School Counseling from the University of Miami. She has been working in MCPS for more than 25 years as a Counselor at both the high school and middle school level. This is Ms. Fischer's 11^th year at Westland Middle School!
	Counselor, 6th Grade (M-Z) Sarah Cohen Mrs. Cohen received her B.A. In Elementary Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana (GO HOOSIERS!). After being a classroom teacher in MCPS for 9 years, she pursued a Master's of Science degree in School Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2012 and has been a school counselor ever since. Mrs. Cohen has either been a student in MCPS or working in MCPS for well over half of her life. This is Mrs. Cohen's first year at Westland and she is excited to experience Middle School education for the first time with the newest incoming 6^th graders!
	Counselor, 8th Grade Lauren Geissel Ms. Geissel received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Iowa and her Master's of Education in School Counseling from DePaul University. This will be Ms. Geissel's 6^th year as a school counselor and 3rd year at Westland Middle School!
	Counseling Secretary/Registrar Alva Montano Rivas Ms. Montano was born and raised in Montgomery County. This is her first year in the counseling department. Previously, she worked within other MCPS schools in Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Ms. Montano is excited to be working with our Westland community.
	Counselor 7th Grade Laura Williams Ms. Williams received her B.A. from Middlebury College in English and her master's and certificate of advanced studies in school counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This will be her eighth year as a school counselor, and she has worked at both the middle and high school levels in MCPS.

Delivery of Services

Our School Counseling Program supports academic, personal, interpersonal, career, and healthy development through individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom guidance. Counselors collaborate with Westland MS staff members, students, parents, and community professionals to identify student needs and to provide the support and resources necessary to maximize personal and interpersonal growth.