Counselor's Corner
Estelle Denbrook, Counselor
Hi! My name is Estelle Denbrook. I am the counselor at Center Hill Elementary School. This will be my second year as a school counselor and my second year in Mississippi! I was born and raised in Waconia, Minnesota. I graduated from Winona State University with a Bachelor’s in Special Education (dual emphasis in learning and developmental disabilities). I then worked for eight years as a high school special education teacher, but decided to change my focus within the education system. I completed my Master’s in Professional School Counseling at Minnesota State University Mankato in May 2021.
My favorite part of being a school counselor is getting to know all of the wonderful little Mustangs! Go Mustangs!
DeSoto County School District Mental Health
Classroom Lessons
About once a month, the school counselor visits each classroom to teach various social and emotional skills. These lessons include (but are not limited to):
- responsibility
- respect
- empathy
- kindness
- growth mindset
- career awareness
- conflict resolution
- test taking skills
Each month we also learn about a different value or character trait:
August: Meet the Counselor, Honor, Self Awareness
September: Trust
October: Grit, Red Ribbon Week, Unity Day
November: Courage, Gratitude
December: Joy
January: Knowledge, Goal Setting
February: Respect, Career Awareness
March: Forgiveness
April: Humility
May: Determination
Individual and Small Group Counseling
Individual Counseling -
Students may see the school counselor individually to address a specific concern or issue. Students can self-refer themselves, as well as, parents, teachers, administrators, or anyone who may be concerned about the student. Individual counseling with the school counselor should be intermittent or short term. Should there be a need for a longer length of counseling, the school counselor will offer resources to the family. Please email the school counselor or complete the online referral form (coming soon) for individual counseling with the school counselor.
Some areas of counseling include:
* Academic Development
* Emotional Difficulties
* Conflict Management
* Divorce/Changing Family Reaction
* Setting Goals
* Adjustment Issues
Small Group Counseling -
Students may also see the counselor in a small group. Small group counseling varies in frequency, in number, and in topics. This level of service is offered to support more students at one time that may have similar needs. Small group sessions are limited and occur over a several week period. Teachers, parents, and administrators frequently refer students for this service. Please email the school counselor or complete the online referral form (coming soon) for small group counseling with the school counselor.
Some areas of counseling include:
- anxiety
- behavior
- anger management
- social skills
- grief/loss
- divorce
- academic support