From App to Website
Our Counseling Corner was actually created in the spring of 2020 as an app. The original goal was to bring counselors, students, and families together. The concept was great, but I soon found that it would take thousands of dollars to have a finished product that schools could use at the level I envisioned to support thousands of users. It's still a dream I would love to see come to fruition, but everything comes in its time. In 2021, I decided to use the information to build a website. I was still learning how to build a website for my daughter's business during this time, not to mention trying to keep up with her business activities/schedule and publishing two books and workbooks. At the beginning of 2022, I focused on assisting my daughter with publishing her third book, in addition to marketing the previous books. On top of working a full-time job, being a wife and mother, and having a side job as MOMAGER, I couldn't find time to focus on what God had placed inside of me. However, the summer of 2022 had different plans for me. I had to isolate due to COVID, which forced me to focus on the vision deposited in my spirit in 2020. It's crazy what you can accomplish when you’re able to get to a still place to think, hear clearly, and activate the plans envisioned. The quiet space gave me time to accomplish some things I planned to complete years ago. Our Counseling Corner was finally able to transition from a dream to a reality.
What You Will Find
As an educator, I've seen students struggle academically and emotionally and parents seeking help in finding ways to assist their children through difficult situations. As a parent, I've also seen my children experience similar struggles in these areas. I'm grateful that my husband and I have been able to assist them with our knowledge and experience as educators and a background in counseling. My goal in creating Our Counseling Corner is to be a voice of hope and encouragement for parents and anyone who works with youth. On this website, you will find:
1. Social and emotional support with helpful organizations and resources.
2. Hotlines to reach out to if you are struggling with life complexities.
3. Steps to prepare parents and children for each grade level.
4. Steps to help navigate the education system (attendance, grades, etc.).
5. Free tutoring sites and learning resources.
6. Resources to prepare for post-graduation and life (career inventories, college & scholarship searching, money management, etc.).
7. Great products to assist with helping children learn and grow!
The goal is to empower parents and students to have information that will guide them through the educational system, K-12 and beyond, while still meeting the social and emotional needs that will allow for a more happy and full life. Happiness is a state of mind; we can map out plans to meet our goals and create a place of peace, joy, and love.
Iris Pelton-Hamlett
Iris Pelton-Hamlett is a Guidance Counselor, Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Crisis Counselor, and former ELAR Teacher who loves helping others. She has over 19 years of experience working with youth, families, and adults in education, mental health, social/emotional learning, and crisis intervention. Her passion for helping others comes from her upbringing. Her parents taught her to help those in need, those who are hurting, and those less fortunate. Growing up, she saw her parents helping the less fortunate and encouraging wounded individuals. She instills these same values in her children and students, and passes them along to those she meets.
Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to spread kindness; it's needed in today's world. She also hopes to empower families and youth to reach their full potential by building character, imparting a desire to learn, and sending the message to never give up on their dreams.
Prairie View A&M University - Master of Arts in Counseling
University Of Houston - Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communications
Mental Health First Aid Trainer
Crisis Text Line Counselor
Dr. John Hamlett III
Dr. John Hamlett III has been in education for the past 29 years. He earned his Ed.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Education Administration. He currently serves as the Director of Support Programs where he works with special programs, including Attendance, Discipline & Bullying Processes, OCR Complaints, Section 504, At-Risk, McKinney Vento (Homeless), Foster Care, Homebound, Pregnancy-Related Services, and Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Hamlett played an intricate part in developing systematic processes to increase attendance across the district and helping schools find ways to track and monitor students more effectively. In 2022 he was a guest panelist for the “Rising to Challenge” seminar that focused on strategic ways to respond to the attendance challenges that districts face with the nationally known organization Attendance Works. His well-rounded background has enabled him to develop an analytical approach to decision-making and problem-solving and identify effective ways to support students and families.
University of Texas at Austin - Doctorate in Education Administration
Prairie View A&M University - Master of Arts in Education Administration
Texas Christian University - Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication with a Minor in Sociology