Youth Development Team

  

Meet Ms. Campbell (Social Worker)

Ms. Campbell, a Flatbush-Brooklyn native, joined Teachers Prep in October 2021 as one of the School Social Workers. She is a graduate of CUNY York College where she completed her Bachelors in Sociology with a minor in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Forensics from LIU Brooklyn. This is the second year working for the Department of Education, but she has ten years of experience working with children of all ages along with their families throughout New York City.

Ms. Campbell is currently working with the entire student body from grades 9-12. She specializes in at-risk counseling, crisis intervention, workshop development, social and emotional wellness, abuse, neglect, mental health support, educational goals and skill building.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling around the world, spending time with friends and family, attending New York Jets football games, basketball games, concerts, museums, exploring new restaurants and much more.  

Meet Mr. Argento (School Counselor)

Mr. Argento, a Queens native, joined Teachers Prep in November 2016 as the second of three Single Shepherd staff members to come on board. He is a graduate of CUNY Queens College where he received his Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Education as a Guidance Counselor. This is the start of his seventh year working for the Department of Education, but he has thirteen years of experience working with high school students throughout the city.

Mr. Argento is currently working with our 9th and 10th grade students. He specializes in job development, especially summer internships, and has been assisting many of our students to secure summer jobs through the SYEP Ladders for Leaders Program.

In his free time he enjoys attending New York Mets and Brooklyn Nets games.  His favorite music is rock.

 

Meet Mr. Glaude (Mandated Counselor)

Mr. Glaude, a graduate of Long Island University, is our mandated counselor and works with students of every grade at Teachers Prep. If you need someone to talk to, this is the guy. Mr. Glaude is easy to approach and always walks around with a smile. 

  

Meet Ms. Montgomery (School Counselor)

Ms. Shaquana Montgomery is a Brooklyn Native that  currently resides within the school's community. She has been employed by the New York City Department  of Education since 2000. She is passionate about assisting youth with setting academic goals and their social well-being. Ms. Montgomery holds an Associates degree in Human Services. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the City University of New York in Human Services, child welfare with a minor in Adaptive Physical Education in 2008. In 2011, she earned a Masters degree in school counseling from Mercy College where she graduated with honors and was inducted into Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society. In 2015 she earned a certificate in Addiction Counseling enhancing her ability to provide counseling services to students, and resources to teachers and families. In addition to serving as a mandated counselor and college advisor, she coaches the Lady Tigers Step Team.  Ms. Montgomery, enjoys spending quality time with her husband, three children, family and friends. She loves to participate in community service and travel. 

Guidance Department

The Guidance Department’s mission is to provide services and support to students and their families for the greatest level of academic, social and emotional success.

New York City Public School Guidance Counselors are professional educators certified by the New York State Department of Education and licensed by the New York City Department of Education.  School guidance counselors serve the entire 9 to 12 school community, including students, families, staff, and school leaders.  They work with school administrators to advocate for programs and services that are aligned with New York State Learning Standards for academic achievement, social and emotional development, preparation for higher education and career readiness.  The framework for school counseling practices and service delivery is guided by the models of the American and New York State School Counseling Associations and the ASCA ethical standards.

The Guidance Department, also known as Pupil Personnel Services, offers a comprehensive support program to assist the student in all aspects of student life and to enhance opportunities for personal, educational and career development. Students are assigned a guidance counselor when they enter in grade 9. This guidance counselor will remain with the student throughout their high school career until graduation.  Students will meet with their guidance counselor at least once each term with the purpose of assessing their academic progress to date and plan for the progression of courses for the following terms. Counselors are also available to meet with students if an individual problem or concern arises. Students should see their counselor during their lunch period, after school ends, or make an appointment, if the need arises. Parents/Guardians are also encouraged to take an active part in their child’s academic career and are welcome to meet with the counselors to discuss their child’s progress.

Guidance Counseling provides students with assistance to successfully earn a diploma and make plans after graduating.  Your counselor’s name appears on your program card and report card. During the first few weeks of the term, your counselor will meet with you to discuss any concerns you may have about beginning in a new school.

 Counselors work individually with students, in small groups, in class group guidance sessions, and occasionally, in entire grade meetings. Your counselor is available to assist you with:

  • Academic and Technical course selection
  • Personal and family issues
  • Personal growth and development
  • Crisis intervention
  • Referrals to a variety of outside agencies for more in-depth counseling and/or academic assistance.
  • Substance abuse issues

Visit Your Guidance Counselor
Students see their counselors before or after school, or during lunch hours.  Students may also be referred to their counselor through initiation by their teachers and/or deans.  If you have an emergency, an appointment isn’t required.  Go immediately to your counselor.  Parents/guardians who wish to see their child’s counselor are to call the receptionist in the guidance office or their child’s counselor directly. Click here for directory.  To ensure that a counselor is available to meet with a parent/guardian, it is best to make an appointment, and arrive at the scheduled time. 

Keeping Student Records
It is very important for students and parents/guardians to keep their own cumulative file of important educational documents, in a safe place at home. Such documents are

  • Report cards
  • Transcripts
  • Schedules
  • Diploma Worksheet
  • Summer School and Evening School courses taken and grades received
  • Community service documentation
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Saturday School documentation of courses taken
  • College Now courses taken and grades
  • College applications

Students must be very aware of their educational plan:

  • They should be familiar with promotional and graduation requirements
  • To plan along with their counselor in formulating the path they will take in fulfilling these requirements as they move towards graduation.

You should visit a counselor if:

  • you are unsure of your schedule
  • you are having a school, home, or personal problem
  • you are interested in a special program
  • you need academic help/support

WHAT DOES A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR DO?

The Guidance Counselor

  • is a specialized professional
  • is committed to the educational and emotional development of children
  • helps every student to master the standards
  • delivers a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program to every student
  • aligns the school counseling program with the mission and vision of each school’s Comprehensive Education Plan (CEP)
  • conducts staff and community workshops
  • facilitates Crisis Management and Intervention
  • enforces the mandates of Child Abuse and Maltreatment
  • helps ensure the rights of Students in Temporary Housing (STH)
  • educates and upholds rules and regulations as stated in the Chancellor’s Regulations

School guidance counselors collaborate with all members of the school community to develop and deliver a data driven program that supports every student’s academic, career and personal/social development, as follows: 

Academic Development

  • Supports student success through study and test taking skills
  • Contributes to improving student attendance
  • Ensures students receive Academic Intervention Services (AIS)
  • Assures students have knowledge of and access to promotion and graduation requirements
  • Focuses on increased graduation rates
  • Uses data informed practice to increase opportunity and promote achievement
  • Supports teachers in their work with students

Personal/Social Development

  • Focuses on reducing disciplinary referrals and suspension rates
  • Positively impacts school climate
  • Helps students acquire resiliency skills
  • Promotes successful student transitions from grade to grade
  • Teaches students mediation and conflict resolution
  • Facilitates access to community resources
  • Encourages positive motivation and aspiration

Career/Post-Secondary Development

  • Helps students explore post secondary options, including college and career choices
  • Facilitates the college application process
  • Engages parents in educational and career planning for their children
  • Helps parents to navigate the school’s role in the educational process
  • Provides skills necessary for student success in school, community and the world of work
  • Connects career goals to educational goals

From School Guidance Counselors in NYC Public Schools – Making the Difference for 21st Century Students and Schools prepared by NYC DOE and UFT 2008

FREQUENTLY ASKED GUIDANCE QUESTIONS

Q: CAN A COUNSELOR SOLVE ALL MY PROBLEMS?

A: No one person has all the answers.  However, your counselor will always help you find answers and help you to the best of their ability.

Q: IS THE NINTH GRADE TOO EARLY TO START THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE?

A: This is an individual matter. For some students, it is not too early.  Others may wish to think about college, but at the very least each student should plan programs that keep doors open.

Q: DOES A COUNSELOR TELL ME WHERE TO GO TO COLLEGE OR HELP ME WITH FINANCIAL AID? 

A: No, although, your counselor may offer suggestions or recommendations.  Your Counselor is here to help you and your parents/guardians to research colleges in terms of your interests, location, selectivity, etc., but the final choice is up to you and your parents/guardians.  In addition, there are numerous local, state, and national scholarships and the Counseling Office is one place to check for postings and applications.  Information is announced and posted.  LOOK! LISTEN! ASK!

Q: HOW DO I SEE MY COUNSELOR?

A: The counselors at TPS average 100 students in their caseload and each and every student is entitled to our services.  Sometimes it is not possible to get immediate attention.  However, you can always make an appointment with your counselor or drop in to see if they are free.  We do request that you have a pass from a teacher to see your counselor.  Also, be sure to keep your appointment when your counselor sends you a pass.