Middle School
Student Services
Our Vision
The students of Walden Middle School successfully navigate today and tomorrow’s ever-changing world as confident and resilient learners, leaders, and empathic diverse citizens.
Our Mission
Advocating for all students and standing by each one to promote high expectations and success, the school counselors at Walden Middle School enhance the Comprehensive School Counseling Program through a proactive, collaborative approach to ensure equity and access for each unique student. Supported by a devoted staff and invested parents, the Walden School Counseling Program ensures that all students are engaged in academic, social/emotional and career development.
Counseling Team
Ricardo Ochoa came to Park Hill in 2022 after teaching and counseling in Kansas City public schools. He earned his master's degree from Kansas State University and bachelor's degree from Ottawa University. He also served 17 years in the military and has an AAS degree in Respiratory Therapy.
Kara Lane came to Park Hill in 2020. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a Spanish Minor in 2005 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She received her Master’s Degree in K-12 School Counseling in 2015 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has worked as an elementary Spanish teacher, elementary school counselor and as a middle school counselor. She enjoys spending time with family and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers! GO BIG RED!
Social Worker
James Cole graduated this past May with his Masters of Social Work from University of Missouri Kansas City. He gained experience as a school social worker with a year long internship at a middle school in the Kansas City Missouri School district. This will be his first year as a school social worker. He has about 3 years of experience working with youth in juvenile detention centers. He is excited to start this journey as a school social worker and hopes this is his forever career. James likes to spend time with his dog, play video games, and watch sports.
Responsive Services
In middle school, students have an increased need of social and emotional development. In order to best meet these needs, school counselors and social workers are available to work with students for brief individual counseling, small group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and referrals. We work together with parents and guardians to support all students.
Contact your school counselor if you or your student are in need of responsive services.
Mental Health and Healthy Living
Here are some resources for you. Be sure to visit Student and Family Support on the district website for additional resources.
Contact
Ricardo Ochoa
Counselor
816-359-5921
Kara Lane
Counselor
816-359-6254
James Cole
Social Worker
816-359-6820
Counseling Curriculum
School Counselors teach lessons on Academic, Personal/Social, and Career Development. This is done through the Life Education Course.
Head to the district website to read about our counseling curriculum.
Individual Student Planning
The Individual Student Planning (ISP) is a program component of the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program that assists all students with educational/career planning, educational transitioning, and self-appraisal for decision making. ISP is vital to every student's college and career readiness development grades K-12.
An Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) is a “roadmap” to help students develop the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and skills to create their own meaningful pathways to be success-ready graduates.
Head to Naviance to dive into your College & Career Portfolio.