Celebrating our Staff: International School Counselors Week

Our ICS counselors are dedicated to making impactful contributions in creating safe school environments, building strong programs, and promoting mental health for our students.

Their mission is to advocate for all students regardless of race, ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status, or gender identity. They work to create an equitable and inclusive school environment, and they support students developing long-term self-directed, realistic, and responsible decision-making skills that will help them to achieve their future goals, hopes, and dreams.

At ICS Addis we provide counselors for the Early Years, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools.The school psychologist assists students at all levels, from Early Years through High School. The school psychologist acts along with school counselors as an advocate for students’ well-being, and as a resource for their educational and personal advancement.

School counselors are vital members of the educational team in the ICS community. They assist all students in the areas of academic, career/post-secondary planning, personal/social needs, and global perspectives. The counselors collaborate, consult, and teach both in and out of the classroom. The school counselors’ primary purpose is to give students the tools they need to be successful now and in the future.

This week is International School Counselors Week. As we recognize and celebrate counselors, here is a brief blurb about each of them:

Daniel and Cassidy are our  ES counselors.

Cassidy is principled and very professional in her day-to-day interactions with parents, staff, and our students. She works really hard to do the right thing even when it isn't the easiest. She is committed to continuously learning and growing in her profession. Cassidy prides herself on being organized and managing herself.

Daniel has been serving as a counselor at ICS for three years. He works to create engaging opportunities with our students and bring to life meaningful stories and lessons in our ES hubs. Daniel fuses his passion for games to leads students in small groups to engage in healthy friendships.

Elizabeth McAdams is our MS Counselor. Math and German are her passion, but taking care of our students is at the heart of her work. She makes time to meet with students through her "minute meets" and extends additional support and care to students during their grow time. Her Learner Profile strength is reflective. It is in her nature to be a critical thinker and a very reflective person. It helps her in her interactions with students and other stakeholders in both counseling and other types of conversations and interactions. As she reflects, she spends time looking at situations from various angles (critical thinking) and brainstorming ways that could create win-win solutions for all involved.

Danielle Chamberlin joined our High School team this year and has been of tremendous guidance for our Grade 9 students with their transition to HS, as well as guiding our Grade 12 students as they are embarking upon their post-secondary journey and begin the final stage of their high school education.

Chelsea Dullea has been a school counselor for more than ten years and has provided ongoing counseling support to our ICS students through some challenging times and scenarios faced by our community. She is resilient, caring, and knowledgeable about strategies. She supports students' need to manage day-to-day challenges.

Estelle Patrick is our esteemed, open-minded, and principled school psychologist. Through her time here at ICS, she has collaborated to guide our teams of teachers on developing optimal plans that will support our students to be their best. She provides key recommendations to support students within their school and home settings.  

As we recognize and celebrate each of them, we also take this opportunity to introduce Angela Mack. Angela will join ICS next week as a counselor in Middle School. In August 2024, Angela will be one of the HS comprehensive counselors. Angela grew up in a multicultural family, which has shaped her values of hard work, resilience, and a strong dedication to nurturing the growth and well-being of students. As a school counselor, she brings a diverse perspective, emphasizing trust-building and the creation of a supportive environment for students to share and overcome their challenges and successes. Caring and open-mindedness are her strengths when it comes to the IB Learner Profile. She believes in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where students feel valued and respected. This means actively listening to their needs, promoting empathy, and encouraging diverse perspectives,  and ensuring a supportive and enriching educational experience.

Our ICS school counselors and school psychologists are courageous, caring, optimistic, understanding  nurturing educators. They are supportive and empower our ICS students to become their best with Africa and our world. Please join us in celebrating them during International School Counselors Week!