Meet Our School Counselors

As school counselors we are dedicated to helping students progress in their academic, personal/social, and career development. Counselors work with students in individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance.

We are also part of a much larger team helping to serve our students. These include the following: parents, teachers, administrators, social worker, psychologist, nurse, speech and vision therapist, special education coordinator, resource officer, and others. Counselors wear many hats. We do registration, coordinate school wide testing, and perform many other tasks. Most importantly, we are here to serve as student advocates.

Miss Patricia Beebe, 5th & 6th Grade
Patricia Beebe joined the JT Moore staff in 2007/2008.  She has worked as a special education TA and school counselor in Williamson County for two years.  She received her M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction/Educational Technology from Tennessee State University in 2005.  In addition, she completed her PreK-12 School Counselor licensure at Tennessee State University in the summer of 2008.  She is a native of Minneapolis and has lived in Nashville for the last five years.  In her spare time Patricia enjoys theater, cultural events, spending time with family and friends, and being a lifelong learner.  Patricia is very excited and honored to be a part of the faculty at J.T. Moore and looks forward to a wonderful school year!  You can reach her by phone: 298-8095 x 2043 or by e-mail: Patricia.Beebe@mnps.org

Mrs. Susan Gillespie, 7th & 8th Grade
Susan Gillespie joined the J.T. Moore guidance staff in 2003/2004. She received a B.A. in English and a Masters Degree in Secondary Guidance & Counseling from the University of South Carolina. Her husband, Steve, works as a Marriage and Family Counselor at the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee. They have been married for 36 years and have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Susan worked as school counselor in S.C for 10 years with 7th and 8th graders, doing individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance. She loves working with middle school students. Susan enjoys hiking, gardening, and theater. You may reach her at 298-8095 x 2042 or by e-mail at susan.gillespie@mnps.org

PARENT TIPS

STAY INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.
Many parents think that once their child is out of elementary school they no longer need to be involved in school. The middle school years is one of the most critical times for parental involvement. They need you! (Even though they pretend not to)
Call the school to set up a conference if you have concerns. Keep up with what’s going on at J.T. Moore by visiting our new web site. Check homework daily. Some of our faculty have assignments on the web.

BE INVOLVED IN THEIR PERSONAL/SOCIAL LIFE.
Know where they are after school and get to know their friends. Monitor what they do and how they use the internet.

GIVE CHILDREN LOTS OF LOVE AND PRAISE. DISCIPLINE THEM WHEN NEEDED IN A FAIR, FIRM, AND CONSISTENT MANNER.
Take advantage of parenting workshops when offered. It’s hard parenting these days. It’s also hard being a kid these days.
Your interest and attention will build confidence and self-esteem in your child.

STUDENT TIPS

ATTEND SCHOOL
Absences have a direct influence on grades. Be on time.

IMPROVE STUDY TIME
Write assignments down. If you failed to get assignments, check with a buddy or Moore’s web site If possible select a place that is quiet and free from distractions. Try to study in this same spot each day. Work in short segments and take study breaks between segments. Continue for one hour or until work is complete. Keep materials organized. Get a teachers or counselor to help you with organization.

READ ACTIVELY
Think about material before reading.
Write down questions for understanding.
Look up words you do not know.
Comprehension is more important than speed.

WRITE CLEARLY

EAT HEALTHY.
A good breakfast is very important in having energy to think and work in class.
A good diet will boost brainpower and keep you healthy.