For three years, I worked full-time with the students of Valley View Middle School as a School Social Worker. This middle school is located in the Edina Public School District, one of the premier public school districts in the U.S. The Superintendent of our district was awarded National Superintendent of the Year for 2002. The district's students consistently rank number one in Minnesota and in the top five nationally in standardized test scores.
At Valley View Middle School, I complemented the work of our other Student Support Team staff, such as our psychologist, nurse and counselors. I worked with special education and regular education students in individual and group therapy. I was also available to intervene in crises as they occured, be it suicidal ideation, allegations of abuse or harassment issues. For a complete description of my responsibilities, see the
for my former position there.
School-wide programs to alleviate bullying and intolerance of differences, and to help create an atmosphere of respect.
Interactive classroom presentations on a variety of mental health topics.
Consultation with teachers and the special education team to design and implement therapeutic interventions for students with social, emotional or behavioral issues.
Peer helper or peer mediation programs to encourage students to help other students.
Facilitation of retired persons from the community tutoring and mentoring students who need more attention from a caring adult.
This website is constructed and maintained by David Schiesher.
Copyright 2004.
My Letters of Recommendation, will provide further evidence of the quality of my work with students directly from students and school staff with whom I worked.
Student Support Services
My Experience in Schools
Services for Schools
The services I provide for schools are the following:
My Philosophy on Supporting Students
Academic difficulties often have underlying unaddressed problems at their source. In today's world of tougher standards of education, higher expectations from parents and teachers and increasingly competitive admissions policies at universities, students are experiencing more stress at school. This stress may be affecting them in many different ways academically physically, socially, emotionally and behaviourally.
My Student Support Services offer the student assistance in coping with the added pressures in a clear and attainable fashion using a step-by-step method of evaluating progress and obtaining results.
Services for Parents
The services I provide to parents are the following:
Services for Students
The services I provide for students are as follows:
Parent education workshops about current and relevant issues that affect students such as peer pressure, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, cutting, substance abuse, etc...
Individual consultation on your child's school issues and how the parent can best support their son or daughter at home.
Community resource referrals
Individual consultation, from assessment through treatment to solve social, emotional and behavioural problems occuring in school and in the family.
Clear, measurable and attainable goals and objectives which define the nature of the treatment and are reviewed at each session.
Support groups and therapy groups to meet the needs of students who share similar concerns, such as grief, social isolation, divorce, disabilities, lack of social skills, etc...
The first session will be charged CHF 160 for 60 minutes. The fee thereafter will be discussed at the first session.
Insurance Reimbursement
I am listed on the Canton of Geneva's Complementary Practice Register as a Psychotherapist. Check with your insurer to determine if they will reimburse for my services. You may need to have the optional Complementary coverage. I am willing to negotiate a reduced fee with persons who can demonstrate an inability to pay the standard fee.
If you have questions about my Student Support Services, please call me at 079 811 36 42 or you may email me.
