Name: Michele D’Avignon
Role: Counselor
School: Diamond Valley Elementary School
District: Washington County School District
State: Utah
“Students need to know the tools required to be successful in life. Many students do not come to school armed with good coping skills to deal with issues and stresses. Teaching these skills can help them realize the resources available to them. We cannot just teach students the academic element without including the social and emotional facets. Students need to feel safe at school before learning can begin. Giving them the skills they need to function in society develops their ability to adapt, be flexible, solve problems, and learn how to work with different types of people. Social and emotional learning should be the root of the learning for every child.”
This is Michele’s fourth year as a school counselor. Previously, she worked for 10 years as a teacher in Special Education, English as a Second Language, Social Studies, and Language Arts. She observed a variety of groups and the struggles they encounter on a daily basis. As a counselor, Michele can supply the social and emotional skills they need to be successful.