Why High School Counselors? 

High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Secondary school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.

Need an Appointment?

Students who want to meet with their counselor should schedule an appointment in the School Counseling Office. Students are required to have a pass from their teacher to meet with their counselor during class time.Parents who would like to schedule an appointment with the counselors should call or e-mail the counseling counselor assigned to serve their child.

Secondary School Counselors Collaborate with: 

Parents 
Academic planning/support 
Post-secondary planning 
Scholarship/financial search process 
School-to-parent communications 
School-to-work transition programs 
One-on-one parent conferencing 
Referral process 

Students
Academic support services 
Program planning 
Peer education program 
Peer mediation program 
Crisis management 
Transition programs 

Teachers
Providing recommendations and assisting students with the post-secondary application process 
Classroom guidance lessons on post-secondary planning, study skills, career development, etc. 
School-to-work transition programs 
Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically 
Classroom speakers 

Administrators
Academic support interventions 
Behavioral management plans 
School-wide needs assessments 
Data sharing 
Student assistance team development 

Community
Job shadowing, worked-based learning, part-time jobs, etc. 
Crisis interventions 
Referrals 
Career education

Remind 101-code:

10^th grade class: rmd.at/8gea82

12^th grade class code:rmd.at/8gea82

Starting 10th Grade: 6 Things You Need to Do to Own Your Sophomore Year

1. Look for Leadership Opportunities
2. Keep Your Grades Up
3. Challenge Yourself
4. Gear Up for and Take Standardized Tests-PSAT
5. Start Visiting Colleges and Creating Your College List
6. Think About Your Future

Starting 12th Grade: 8 Things You Need To Do

1. Finish Your Standardized Testing
2. Start Applying For Scholarships and Financial Aid
3. Reach Out To Teachers For College Recommendation Letters
4. Build a Profile That Will Impress Admissions Officers
5. Focus On Your Classes
6. Start Saving/Earning Money For College
7. Apply To College
8. Cherish This Time With Your Family

Our Counselors

Jessica Whitfield

Jessica.Whitfield@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Whitfield is originally from Columbia, TN and relocated to the Memphis area after she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In 2011 she made the decision to follow her passion to advocate for children by becoming a school counselor. In January 2013 she received her Masters of Education from Cambridge College and became certified by the state of Tennessee as a P-12 School Counselor. She worked five and a half years as a school counselor in Memphis, TN until she and her husband relocated to Atlanta to be closer to family. She is now the 3DE 9^th Grade Counselor at South Atlanta High School where her mission is to provide every student with the resources and tools they need to be successful in school and beyond.

Andrew Ragland

Andrew H. Ragland received his undergraduate degree in Mass Communications from The University of West Georgia. He earned his teacher certification at Southern University at New Orleans and his Masters in School Counseling from Clark Atlanta University.  Andrew also has an Education Specialist Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Troy University.
 
Andrew is a charter Teach For America (TFA) Corps member.  Andrew has over 7 years of classroom teaching experience and 18 years’ experience as a school counselor. 10 of those years have been at the high school level. As a high school counselor, Andrew has traveled thousands of miles on college tours with his students. Andrew has also helped his students get awarded millions of dollars in scholarships and grants. Andrew’s former students have been accepted to Duke University, Morehouse College, The University of Georgia, Claflin University, Fisk University, The College of Wooster, Fort Valley State University, Wake Forest, Howard University and many others.  Andrew’s mission as a high school counselor has always been to help young men and women grow into successful, productive citizens that will give back to their community.

aragland@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Ms. Wanetta M. King is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  She started her career in school counseling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Messmer High School and continued working as a counselor at Alief Hastings High School in Houston, Texas.  She is now a proud counselor at South Atlanta High School.

With each location I can say I have been blessed to know I am helping future generations become leaders in our community.  Every day I wake up knowing that the work I do has purpose and meaning.  My professional qualifications include more than 18 years of combined solid hands-on experience as a Lead Counselor and School Counselor in high school settings and as an Academic Advisor in higher education. I have worked with a culturally diverse student population that includes special needs, gifted, and at-risk populations. To complement this skill set, I offer a broad based background as a facilitator and am highly adept in program management. I believe that every child can learn and we as educators have to find that tool that helps them “get it”.  One of my favorite quotes is “If You’re Not at the Table, You’re on the Menu”, so I consistently reiterate to my students that they have to be the decision maker for their futures otherwise others will decide their future for them.  So  I encourage them to take bold moves, push fear aside and go for it.  I have an open door policy so I look forward to working with the students, the parents, staff, and the city of Atlanta to help our young scholars reach the stars. 

 Wanetta.King@atlanta.k12.ga.us

Phone number:

404-802-5052

Mr. Springfield is currently in his 16^th year as a Professional School Counselor. He has served in many leadership roles during his tenure in secondary education. Mr. Springfield loves being a change agent for children and strives to ensure that he is developing students Academically, Emotionally and Socially on a daily basis. His passion to develop leaders and socially conscious students is what drives him from day to day. Mr. Springfield is an avid  basketball and tennis player. He travels often and loves to immerse himself into different cultures. He is jazz aficionado…understanding that “music is the key to the soul. Mr. Springfield is the proud father of three children.  

Please feel free to contact Mr. Springfield if you have any questions or concerns about your student. His email and office numbers are listed below.

Jspringfield@atlanta.k12.ga.us

(404) 802-5063 Office

(404) 802-9816 Fax

Mr. Springfield encourages all parents to ensure that their students have accounts established on the following websites.  

1. collegeboard.org (SAT registration and SAT preparation materials)
2. act.org (ACT registration and ACT preparation materials)
3. gafutures.org (Interest Inventories, Career Search, College Search)

Mr. Springfield encourages that “ALL” parents and students start the search for scholarships now! Although students typically won’t start applying until their senior year, it’s never too early to start exploring the multitude of scholarships that are available.

1. fastweb.com
2. scholarship.com
3. collegenet.com