The goal of the school guidance program is to assist students in the process of becoming more able learners.  The program encompasses students from Pre-K to Twelfth Grade; research indicates that early intervention greatly enhances opportunity for success. 

The program is approached through a variety of strategies.  Individual counseling is always available to all students.  Throughout the year, groups are formed addressing specific issues.  Referral to community resources is done on an as-needed basis.  We are aligned with the Ezra Consortium which provides therapists in training to work with our students.  Jewish Family Services has also provided counseling at the school.

Throughout the school year, the guidance department facilitates conferences between teachers and parents.  In addition, we meet with teachers on an on-going basis to attend to individual needs.  We are committed to meeting the needs of all of our students.  Special attention is provided to those students who are gifted, learning disabled, and to those approaching English as a second language.

The guidance department is responsible for coordinating a number of special programs: 

Staffing

The school guidance department is staffed by Mrs. Sue Enis, Mrs. Dara Lieber, and Mrs. Linda Baumel.

Mrs. Sue Enis graduate with a Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey and a Master's of Arts from Montclair University, New Jersey.  She was the Director of College Counseling for The Solomon Schechter Day School in New Jersey for seven years.  Upon her move to Florida she became the College Counselor at Hillel Community Day School for four years prior to coming to Hebrew Academy.  She has over 20 years experience as a College Counselor.If you would like information on student counseling or colleges, please contact the head of the counseling program Mrs. Sue Enis at senis@rasg.org.

College Corner 2006

Mrs. Dara Lieber received her BA from Brandeis University and her MS from Barry University in Mental Health Counseling specializing in Guidance & Counseling.  She is now enrolled in a Doctorate Program at Nova Southeastern University in Educational Leadership.  She has a Florida Certification as a Guidance Counselor.  She has been a school counselor for 4 years, and thoroughly enjoys her work.

At Hebrew Academy Dara is in charge of creating & modifying schedules of high school students.  In addition she works with each student independently (on an as needed basis) about any problems that may arise academically or otherwise.  She is a wonderful mediator between the students/parents and the teachers.

For the past sixteen years Linda Baumel has been a guidance counselor at the Hebrew Academy in Miami Beach, Florida. At the beginning of her school career, she was formerly a counselor at Scofield High School in Aiken, South Carolina. She also worked for the State of Florida as a counselor for handicapped adults under the division of Vocational Rehabilitation.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami, majoring in Sociology and a minor in Psychology; this was followed by a Master of Science degree from Florida International University in School Counseling.  She has accumulated many post-graduate credits  in counseling, with a focus on play therapy.