PHILOSOPHY

Guidance services are an integral part of the school program. It is the philosophy of the Pemberton Township School District Guidance Department to provide comprehensive guidance and counseling services responding to the developmental needs of elementary, middle and high school students in the areas of personal & social growth, academic performance and post-secondary education/vocational planning.  The program also recognizes the unique qualities of each individual student and provides them with opportunities to acquire or improve competencies in the areas of school adjustment and achievement, career planning and exploration, decision making and knowledge of self and others.

The Guidance Department is dedicated to creating a collaborative partnership with students, parents, teachers and administrators. The collaboration and mutual support of these groups is essential in the development of the educational process.  An effective counseling program is important to our school climate and a crucial element in improving student achievement and overall well-being.

CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

As professional school guidance counselors, we will respect the rights of confidentiality of personal information disclosed during the course of conversation between ourselves and students except in the following cases: If the student presents danger to him or herself, if the student presents danger to others, if the student has been abused by others, if the student needs hospitalization or if required to do so by court order. We are bound by Federal and State law to break confidentiality in the above so mentioned situations and will do so to protect our students and to remain legally and ethically true to our profession.

Jessica Knier was appointed Director of Counseling & Health Services in July, 2023. Dr. Knier comes to Pemberton Township Schools from Pennsylvania, where she served as an Assistant Principal at Patton Middle School in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for 5 years and an Assistant Principal at Garnet Valley High School in the Garnet Valley School District for 4 years. Her previous experience includes working as a School Counselor in the Downingtown Area School District, Kennett Consolidated School District, Garnet Valley School District, and William Penn School District. Dr. Knier earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University, her M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of Delaware, and her BA in Psychology from Bucknell University.