School Counseling
Mt. Lebanon School District provides a comprehensive, developmental school counseling program at every grade level, kindergarten through twelfth. Grounded in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards and Pennsylvania's standards for student interpersonal skills, career education, and work, the program meets students' needs proactively through prevention and intervention at each stage of their education.
Department Chairs
Dr. Sarah Shaw
Principal, Jefferson Middle School
sshaw@mtlsd.net
Dr. Brett Bielewicz
Principal, Jefferson Elementary School
bbielewicz@mtlsd.net
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School Counseling
At every level, counselors collaborate with families, teachers, support staff, administrators, and the community to create an environment where students recognize their role in the school community and reach their full potential.
Elementary
At the elementary level, school counseling is a developmental, systematic program delivered by state-certified, professionally trained counselors. Counselors teach classroom lessons, facilitate short-term small-group counseling, and provide immediate individual and crisis support. They work closely with teachers and staff, consult with parents, contribute to curriculum development, and connect families with community resources. Families are encouraged to reach out with concerns about family changes, classroom performance, sudden shifts in behavior, peer relationships, self-concept, or social, emotional, and academic development.
Middle
In middle school, counseling becomes increasingly focused on the developmental needs of early adolescence. Offered at both Jefferson and Mellon Middle Schools, the program addresses academic, social, personal, and career development, with counselors advocating for students alongside families, teachers, support services staff, and administrators. Students are also introduced to Naviance, a career-exploration platform with detailed information on more than 1,500 career paths, helping them begin to think about their futures.
High School
At the high school, the 9–12 counseling department helps students build the skills, knowledge, and attitudes they need to become healthy, productive adults. Counselors support social/emotional, academic, and career development while guiding students through course selection, college and career planning, Naviance, and the transition beyond graduation. Through this comprehensive program, every student has the opportunity to maximize their educational potential and prepare for life after Mt. Lebanon.