Mrs. Lesley Klauk
Hello Parents and Students!  I am overjoyed to be at Jane Ball for the third year!  As you can see from my picture, children bring me much happiness, and the opportunity to learn is one of the greatest gifts in life.  This picture is of one of my two sons, Bennett.  He, his older brother Aidan, and my husband, Alec, and I live in Flossmoor, Illinois.  A few of the things we enjoy doing as a family are taking trips to other states to visit family, taking college tours as we travel, going camping, and swimming at the city pool in the summer!

Professional Work
I started working as a high school English teacher after graduating with my Bachelor's degree.  I worked in high schools for five years, and pursued my Master's Degree during the last two of those years.  I have counseled students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the schools I've been employed, before staying at home with my two sons.  While being a stay-at-home mom, I continued to work in schools part-time as a counseling department assistant and a substitute teacher.  I am an active member of the American School Counselor Association and the Illinois Counselor Association.

Why do people see school counselor's?

Students may choose to speak to Mrs. Klauk because they need someone to talk to, or need help with an issue with school, friends, home, or themselves. A friend, family member, teacher, or Administrator may also suggest a student go see the school counselor. Mrs. Klauk also checks in with students at random. The reasons depend on the person, and everyone is different. Some examples of why a student may see the school counselor are: discussing different personal issues such as relationship growth, peer conflicts, dealing with grief, being nervous or family issues.

 

What to expect: Counseling with Mrs. Klauk at Jane Ball Elementary

In an individual session, I work together with students to discuss whatever issues they are having. I do not just give advice or tell students what to do. I discuss what options students have, teach new strategies, and work with students so they can see how to choose behaviors that will help them in their situation. I am flexible and willing to approach student issues in a way that works for them. I will allow students to discuss what they need to and want, and look to find and develop the best solutions that work for them.  

Confidentiality. It's Important.

Confidentiality means that whatever students talk about will stay between them and the counselor. Confidentiality is essential for a good, working, counseling relationship.  I also ask students participating in group counseling to maintain confidentiality, so that those who participate can share and feel safe.  I will always respect this agreement, but there are important limits to confidentiality, where I would have to tell someone about something a student has said.  These times include: suspected child abuse (I am legally mandated to report suspected cases), harm to self, harm to others, a request by the student, if the student has broken or intends to break rules, or a supeona, which is a legal demand from a judge in court. If I ever have to tell a parent or another person something a student has said in confidence, I would inform the student first and help them to understand the reasons. However, those times are pretty rare!

The counselor at Jane Ball Elementary provides the following services:

School Guidance Curriculum