Heather Flinton
Counselor

     I am excited and enthusiastic about the year ahead at Rose Union Elementary. Prior to joining the staff at Rose Union, I was the counselor at our sister school Deer Creek Elementary for six years and have now been in the Deer Creek school district for a total of eight years. When the opportunity to join the Rose Union Elementary staff presented itself, I jumped at the chance to build a guidance and counseling program from the ground up. I looked at the challenge as a wonderful opportunity to grow professionally. As the Rose Union counselor, my primary objective is to help your child understand who I am, what my job is at the school and more importantly, how I can assist them if they need help or a friendly face at school. I facilitate student development and build relationships to promote a positive school climate. My vision is to develop a comprehensive counseling program that meets the needs of the entire school community. I look forward to working with you and your child in the year ahead.  

I will be incorporating the same core programs in my guidance classes here at Rose Union, which are utilized at both Prairie Vale and Deer Creek Elementary. “Second Step” and “Steps to Respect” have been excellent tools for guiding children in the area of personal and social development. Specifically, the programs help children learn to manage their emotions, build friendships, and problem-solve in everyday peer situations. The programs compliment our school anti-bullying policy. Other topics that are covered during guidance sessions include career education, positive character traits, and drug free lessons that are appropriate to the developmental age of individual grade levels. Small groups will be offered during the school year as well. These groups reinforce social skills, study skills, or assist children in a changing family. Children can qualify for a small group at the request of a parent, teacher, or other trained school personnel. Information concerning group times and sessions is sent home through the child’s teacher or the monthly school newsletter. Individual school counseling can be offered if it is determined as the intervention method that will effectively meet the needs of a specific child.            

I look forward to sponsoring the Antler Ambassador program specifically designed to provide leadership opportunities for our fifth grade students. This group of students has the chance to serve our school and act as role models for all students at Rose Union. For more information on our Antler Ambassador program please visit other areas of the Rose Union website. 

My professional background includes graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelors degree in both elementary and special education. I taught children with multiple disabilities for seven years. I then went on to pursue a Masters degree in guidance and counseling at the University of Central Oklahoma. I have training in Great Expectations summer institute and have taken classes specific to counseling. Most recently, I received training from Schools Attuned which focuses on individual student progress in all aspects of child development. Finally, I am most excited about achieving National Board Certification in the area of School Counseling in November of 2006.

On a personal note, I have been married to my husband, Matthew Flinton, for nine years. We have two children. Jordan is our son. He will be joining me at Rose Union in the next couple of years and our daughter Jade will follow just a year behind him. I am eager for them to experience the warmth and dedication of the staff committed to Rose Union Elementary.