Guidance Department

The Seymour High School Counseling Department is comprised of three counselors and an administrative assistant/registrar. Professional school counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a master's degree or higher in school counseling and are uniquely qualified to address the developmental needs of all students. Professional school counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students' academic, career and personal/social development, and help all students in maximizing student achievement.

School counseling is an integral part of the school program. The school counseling model is developmental and sequential. It is implemented by licensed school counselors with the support of teachers, administrators, support personnel, students, parents and community members. The school counseling program belongs to everyone and serves all students.

School Counselors

Student Last Names A-H: Mrs. Cheryl Troutman
cheryltroutman@sevier.org

Cheryl Troutman received her Bachelors degree in Education and a Masters degree in Community Agency Counseling from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. In addition she has a Masters degree in School Counseling from The University of West Alabama and an Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, two grown children and participating in outdoor activities and sporting events. Cheryl has been a school counselor at Seymour High School since 2005.

Student Last names I-N: Mrs. Candi Buffington
candibuffington@sevier.org

Welcome to Seymour High School! Mrs. Candi Buffington will be joining us in the 2021 - 2022 school year in the Guidance Department. Ms. Buffington graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Family Life from the University of Northern Illinois. She completed her Master's of Science in Clinical Social Work from the University of Tennessee with a School Social Work endorsement. She then completed the Master's of School Counseling program at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. She has been working in schools as a social worker and/or school counselor for 21 years, but is excited to now be at Seymour High!

Student Last Names O-Z: Mrs. Bethany Schultz
bethanyschultz@sevier.org

Bethany Schultz graduated from Carson-Newman University with both a Bachelors of Science in Human Services and a Masters of Education in School Counseling. She has been a school counselor at Seymour High School since 2011.

Registrar

Mrs. Sondra Owenby
sondraowenby@sevier.org
(865) 577-7040

The Role of a School Counselor

To counsel with students individually and in small groups

To present developmental lessons in the classroom and in small groups

To serve as a student advocate

To consult with teachers, administrators, school support personnel, parents and business/community agencies

To participate in school meetings

To work with parents in teaching effective parenting skills, creating a positive environment, and encouraging parent participation

To provide staff development in identified areas of need and in orientation to the school counseling program

To provide leadership in career development of all students

To coordinate school activities pertaining to the school counseling program

To facilitate the evaluation of the school counseling program