Monroe Primary Counseling
Contact Information
April McFarland, MA
1st Grade
amcfarland@monroelocalschools.com
(513) 360-0700 ext. 7004
Office Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday AM)
Mrs. McFarland graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, GA with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2001 and attended The Ohio State University for her Master's Degree in School Counseling in 2009. She is originally from middle Georgia but has also lived in Iowa, Tennessee, Columbus and Cincinnati. She currently resides in Wyoming with her husband Jeff and her three children. When she's not at work, you can find Mrs. McFarland at a ball field or court cheering on her children who are actively involved in many sports!
Lora Barnes, MA
Kindergarten
lbarnes@monroelocalschools.com
(513) 360-0700 ext. 7004
Office Hours: 8:45 a.m. - 4:10 p.m. (Wednesday PM, Thursday & Friday)
Mrs. Barnes graduated from Miami University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. After graduation, she taught first and second grade at Mason City Schools. She has received her Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health from Indiana Wesleyan University and has been a licensed professional counselor to children and teens at Thrivepointe Counseling. She has lived in Monroe since 1989 and has raised her four children as Hornets. She has been married for 25 years and loves to explore national parks with her family. She currently has two children in college (UC & Sinclair) and two in Monroe Local Schools. Mrs. Barnes enjoys greeting and connecting with primary students and has a strengths-based approach to helping children succeed.
MPS Counseling Supports
Our counselors teach developmental guidance lessons in each kindergarten and first grade classes two times per month as well as preschool classes once per month. Classroom guidance lessons at the primary level cover various social and emotional learning topics such as:
- Feelings
- Emotional Regulation
- Tattling vs. Reporting
- Empathy
- Being Unique
- Growth Mindset
- Careers
We also utilize an evidence-based curriculum, "Second Step," which focuses on similar topics, such as growth-mindset and goal-setting, emotion management, empathy and kindness, and problem-solving.
Our school counselors assist students, families, and staff in a variety of ways:
Students
- Individual Counseling
- Small Group Counseling
- Classroom Lessons
- Responsive Services
- School Climate/PBIS
- Grief and Loss
- Crisis Intervention
- Career Education
Teachers/Staff
- Classroom Guidance Lessons
- Academic Support
(Achievement Gaps) - At-risk Student Identification
(Tier 2 and Tier 3) - School Climate/PBIS
- Emotional and Behavioral Interventions and Support
- Student Data and Results
- Community Resources Liaison
Families
- Communication & Collaboration
for Student Support - Parent Education
- 504 Plans
- Referral to Community Agencies and Resources
