Social-Emotional Support

Whole-Child, Strengths-Based Approach

At MIS, our mission is to support students' academic, social, and emotional growth by providing them with the skills to recognize, maximize, and achieve their unique potential. We believe in focusing on the whole person in order to provide students with the foundation they need to become well-rounded members of their community. In addition, we carry out strengths-based learning strategies, non-punitive discipline, and growth mindset practices aimed to help students identify and apply their strengths rather than focus on their shortcomings, and to give them the opportunity to reflect, progress, and succeed to the best of their ability. 

A Message from our K-8 Counselor, Ms. Talia Auslin

As a School Counselor at MIS, I work closely with students by providing them with counseling services through individual sessions and classroom curriculum lessons based on a variety of social-emotional and academic skills. My goal is to support all students in finding their voice as they strive for independence, assist them in becoming active participants in their own world through self-efficacy, and to help them effectively navigate through this learning period in their lives. Each and every student deserves to feel a sense of belongingness at school and to have a safe space to express themselves, and it is my passion to ensure that they do.

At MIS, we are as committed to the social and emotional well-being of our students as we are to their academic success. To that end, we offer a comprehensive counseling program that addresses those needs.

Some of our counseling services include:

  • Individual student counseling

  • Large and small group counseling

  • Referrals to outside agencies and mental health professionals

  • Individualized academic support

  • Hosting engaging speakers on various topics related to adolescent development

  • Serving as a resource for families and the greater MIS community

“MIS has been a phenomenal school for our child. She has been allowed to grow and blossom in ways that no other school allowed for as they recognize her strengths and gifts and know how to foster and encourage them. The small size of classes allows her to develop trusting relationships with her teachers and allows the teachers to get to know each student so that they may individualize and differentiate the curriculum for each student - amazing! The staff goes out of their way to build relationships with the parents; they are always available for meetings and parent education opportunities. We are so delighted that we have found MIS and are continually impressed with their emphasis on the global world, student talents and giftedness, and the problem solving curriculum. It is a unique and much needed school for the ever-changing world.”

— MIS Parent