My name is Laura Whitaker and I am the school counselor at BES. I am from the small town of White, Ga. I have been the school counselor at Byron since 2021. I attended Truett McConnell College and then later received my Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southwestern in Health and Physical Education, where I also enjoyed a college soccer career. I was a Physical Education instructor for four years when my husband and I decided that a busy coaching life necessitated a move closer to family. That move brought us to Fort Valley, where I began my Master’s in School Counseling at Fort Valley State University. I decided to pursue a degree that would allow me to help children become more successful students on a more personal/counseling level, work to help them effectively navigate variety of problems, and inspire them to do their personal best in life. I continued with my education and gained an Educational Specialist’s degree. My husband is also an educator and we have 3 children.
My counseling philosophy is student-centered and solution focused. I believe in a comprehensive counseling program that addresses the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. I believe in the whole child approach to education that focuses on students’ well-being beyond the classroom.
I am excited to work with all of the students and families at BES and look forward to growing a relationship those families to better support your child at BES.