School Counselor

Gina Montague is proud to be the school counselor at Powell. Mrs. Montague's favorite part of her job is the relationships she builds with students. In her school counseling practice, Mrs. Montague incorporates solution-focused play counseling, using play to empower students to own and find solutions to their problems. Some of the services Mrs. Montague provides include classroom lessons, small group counseling based on need, individual counseling and crisis response, and frequent collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators, etc. Mrs. Montague is also the 504 coordinator at Powell.

Mrs. Montague loves Disney, Harry Potter, and coffee. Prior to becoming a school counselor, she worked for Disney for 9 years. At home, she has a wonderful husband of five years and a 100+ lb dog named Jerry. Her favorite place is Disneyworld, and some of her favorite things to do are calligraphy, origami, yoga, playing board and card games, and singing.

Mrs. Montague looks forward to helping all students at Powell reach their goals and become bright and capable individuals!

https://powellstudentservices.weebly.com/

My Play-losophy:

Play serves as the best way for children to communicate, learn, and demonstrate their personal potential. It is wonderful for children to interact with one another in student-led activities and projects, collaborating to solve problems and persevere in the face of challenges. Play is fun, exciting, imaginative, and hands-on, exactly what an elementary student needs to develop and grow! Play is truly how children develop individuality, learn to respect differences, construct knowledge, build relationships, and so much more.

Social Worker

Ms. Kansler grew up briefly in Rye Brook, New York before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina in 2006. Throughout her life, she has enjoyed traveling, painting, playing tennis, and attending sporting events. Ms. Kansler went back up north and attended Fordham University in New York City for her undergraduate and graduate degrees, receiving an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Anthropology and a graduate degree in Social Work. Once the fun of the Big Apple wore off post-grad, she moved back to Raleigh. Growing up in the Raleigh area, Ms.Kansler has community ties to her grade school alma mater, local non-profit organizations, and some North Carolina sports teams (Go Canes). This is her first year as a School Social Worker after interning at rehabilitation centers and children's homes during her graduate program. Ms. Kansler cannot wait to grow within this role and promote Powell's theme of Play and Ingenuity.

My Play-losophy:

Play is the foundation of learning, creativity, self-expression, and constructive problem-solving. In addition, playing together allows for bonds to be built and trust and cooperation to flourish. I am looking forward to being the vital link between home, school, and the community which impacts students’ ability to play towards academic achievement. Taking this holistic approach when providing support services will allow your children to navigate life and make it meaningful.

Psychologist

Ms. Suleski lives in Raleigh with her husband, children (6 and 8), and fur babies (Mac 11 and Samson 4). She is originally from New York, and has lived in Raleigh for 13 years now.  She loves it here! While Ms. Suleski is new to Powell, she has worked with WCPSS for 3 years. Prior to that, she worked in Johnston County as a Preschool Psychologist, where she did play assessments.

My Play-losophy:

Play is what children do best. Let's meet them at their strength!

School Nurse