Everyday I think about how happy and fortunate I am to be part of the dedicated staff of Lowell Elementary. But best of all, I get to provide counseling support to children and families through classroom lessons, individual and group sessions and parenting classes.

Focus areas: 

• Classroom guidance: I teach 30 minute guidance lessons in grades K-6. I am scheduled in each classroom twice each month.
• Groups: Groups offer an opportunity for children to learn friendship, communication and anger management skills in a supportive setting that, in turn, helps students attain academic success.  Other support type groups help children who are experiencing changes in their families such as divorce, illness or loss of a loved one.  I offer these types of groups with parent permission and as time permits.
• Individual work with students: It is a privilege to provide a safe place for children to share their concerns and feelings.  I value the time I spend in individual sessions with children and try to provide avenues for expression of feelings through listening, play, drawing, puppet play, etc. I connect with parents to inform them of any concerns and seek permission to continue individual support if needed.   
• Parent education:   A valuable part of our role as school counselors is to instruct parent education classes.  I have taught Parenting Teenagers, Strengthening Your Stepfamily and Systematic Training for Effective Parenting.
• Mentoring: I organize and monitor a mentoring program called Lunch Buddies. Boise High School student mentors are paired with Lowell students one lunch period a week.
• Parent/staff consultation: I consult with parents and staff individually and as a member of our multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Other: I organize and monitor after school activities with the Boise City Recreation Department and other district approved after school programs.  Some of these activities are, drama classes, art classes on site and at Fort Boise Community art center, little cheerleaders, African drumming, and dance classes.

Linda Hammond

Educational background and experience:  I earned a Masters in Counseling from Idaho State University and am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.  I have worked for the Boise School District as a school counselor for the past ten years.  Some of my early work experience includes, working in a cell physiology lab at a cancer research hospital, doing genetics studies at a community hospital, and then for a little adventure and idealism, joining the Peace Corps as volunteer in south India for two years.   Although my career path has been varied, it is rich with experiences to share with students as it relates to their future career wishes.  Living and working in India and South Korea has enriched my ability to share with children the importance of respecting human dignity and diversity.

My husband and I have been married forty years, have a grown son and daughter and three grandchildren.  Life has been good to us in Idaho.

To email the counselor please use the following convention:
firstname.lastname@boiseschools.org

For more information about our District's Counseling program:
District Counseling Department | Classroom Guidance Units | Groups
Parent Education | Individual Student Counseling & Parent/Staff Consultation