Counseling

Our Counselors:

Mrs. Kelly Sarkees
School Counselor (M-F)
[email protected]

Kelly Sarkees is the School Counselor at Woolridge Monday-Friday. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from VCU. She is also a graduate of Chesterfield County Public Schools and has worked at many schools in Chesterfield. She loves going to the beach and spending time with her family. This is Mrs. Sarkees’ 10th year at Woolridge Elementary School. We welcome our students and families new to Woolridge Elementary School and look forward to working with all of our families this year.

Ms. Scarlet Thompson
School Counselor (M-W)
[email protected]

Scarlet Thompson is the School Counselor at Woolridge on Monday-Wednesday. Scarlet attended Radford University and Virginia Commonwealth University to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She pursued her Master’s degree at VCU in Counselor Education. Scarlet loves going to the beach and spending time with her dog. This is Scarlet’s first year here at Woolridge, and she looks forward to meeting and working with all of the Wildcats and their families!!

Mrs. Paula Herrington
School Counselor (even calendar dates)
[email protected]

Paula Herrington is a school counselor at Woolridge every other day; when the calendar date is an even number.

Paula earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania. She loves spending time with her family and playing all sorts of board games. This is Paula’s first year at Wooldridge and she is very excited about building relationships with our students, families and staff.


The school counseling program at Woolridge Elementary School focuses on helping students develop to their highest potential through a comprehensive developmental counseling program which addresses the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of all students.

Who is a school counselor?

A school counselor must earn a Master’s Degree in school counseling and hold state certification in school counseling to include counseling theories and practices, human behavior, career education, individual appraisal, and social/cultural issues. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

The primary role of school counselors is to help students learn and develop to their highest potential socially, emotionally, and academically. The school counseling program provides students with early interventions as well as preventative strategies to ensure that all students achieve success in school and in life.

Small Group Counseling

Support groups allow groups of 4-8 students to learn together in a caring and confidential setting. Topics include: changing families, peer relations, study skills, grief, and stress management. Informational sheets with parent permission forms are sent home upon request.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling is available at the request of the student, parent, or staff member. While students may see the school counselor at any time for brief discussions, parental permission is required prior to a series of planned sessions.

Additional Counseling Services:

  • Crisis intervention/abuse prevention
  • Consultation/Collaboration with school personnel and parents/guardians
  • Referrals to community agencies
  • Professional development for staff and parents
  • Program planning and evaluation

Classroom Guidance Lessons

Classroom lessons are preventative in nature and provide all students with the necessary knowledge, strategies and skills in order to become responsible citizens. All classroom guidance lessons are based on academic, career and social/emotional standards from the American School Counselor Association’s Mindsets and Behaviors as well as the Virginia Standards for School Counseling Behaviors. Topics include social emotional learning,skills for success, promote respect and career exploration.

School Wide Programs

  • Friendly Helpers
  • Chesterfield College and Career Awareness
  • Promote Respect
  • Peaceful School Bus
  • High School Helpers
  • PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System)
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