On a daily basis, we are interacting with other people on a variety of levels. Communicating and cooperating with co-workers to accomplish a project, talking to the person behind the counter at the store, spending time with friends and loved ones, and interacting over the phone or computer are all examples of ways that social skills are used. While these skills come naturally to some people, others struggle to be successful in these and other situations. In the book Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman makes a strong argument that these skills are more important to a person's success than having a high IQ. Further, studies of schools that have incorporated Social and Emotional Learning programs into their curriculums have shown that these programs actually improve the academic performance of these students. Because of this, we strive to help every student to learn about themselves and improve their ability to interact effectively with others. When there is a concern, expressed by a parent, teacher, or other students, we work to address these concerns in cooperation with the student's parents and teachers. We address these concerns in a variety of ways, from meeting individually or in groups with the students, to consulting with the parent or teacher to provide strategies that they can implement in helping the student to be more successful. If you have any questions or have concerns about a student, please do not hesitate to contact any of the counselors.