WoodCreek Junior High Counseling Page
WCJH Counseling
Department
Counselors:
JODI SLAUGHTER (6th grade)
JESSIE CLAY (7th grade)
BRITTANY WADDELL (8th grade)
MEGHAN MCCARTHY (STUDENT SUPPORT)
Counseling Secretary/Registrar:
Leah Caffey
JODI SLAUGHTER (6th grade)
JESSIE CLAY (7th grade)
BRITTANY WADDELL (8th grade)
MEGHAN MCCARTHY (STUDENT SUPPORT)
Counseling Secretary/Registrar:
Leah Caffey
Meet the Counselors
Mrs. Clay
I have provided school counseling services to children and their families since 2008. I began my counseling career at an elementary school in North Carolina. After leaving North Carolina, I became a counselor at the junior high level in Katy ISD. As a junior high counselor I strive to create a nurturing environment where students feel supported in their efforts to grow. I have dedicated myself to learning how to assist students who are experiencing developmental dilemmas and trying to cope with everyday life. I aspire to meet the needs of the students and families I serve. I aim to do this by having a positive impact on students' academic achievement and by promoting positive social skills through counseling.
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I LOVE to travel, both domestically and abroad. Some of my favorite destinations include Costa Rica, Venice, Rome, and New Orleans (my husband's hometown)! I believe that traveling helps to improve my understanding of other cultures, allows me to disconnect from my daily life, and pushes me outside of my comfort zone. But, most of all, it allows me to create lifetime memories.
Recognition & Education:
2019 District-Wide Junior High Counselor of the Year, Katy ISD
Masters in School Counseling from Univ of North Carolina at Greensboro, Fall 2004
Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Howard University, Spring 2002
Ms. Waddell
I started my career as an educator in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2013. I am dually certified in English Language Arts and Reading and Social Studies. I taught 7th grade Social Studies for 1 year before moving to New York City to complete my Masters in K-12 School Counseling. During my time in New York City, I gained experience at the High School level while working with grades 9-12 at Baruch College Campus High School. I truly enjoy working at the secondary level, especially as it pertains to college advising and college counseling. While interning, I was awarded the Gilbert M. Trachtman Fellowship award from New York University. This is an award that is given to students to recognize their contribution to serving children, parents, and teachers and being agents of change. Immediately after graduating from NYU, I moved to Houston and taught 6th grade English Language Arts for 1 year. I began my counseling career in 2017 at a high school in Fort Bend ISD. I believe counselors are in a unique position to truly advocate for students and ultimately have a positive affect on their academic careers. You never know how a smile or positive affirmation can change a persons life, so I always try to emit positivity and light to each student I come in contact with.
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I am a huge advocate for health and wellness, so often times, I am either at the gym, the local park, or trying out a new healthy recipe. I believe that health truly is wealth!
Recognition & Education:
Masters in School Counseling from New York University, Spring 2013
Bachelor of Art s in Middle Grades Education from North Carolina State University, Spring 2016
I started my career as an educator in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2013. I am dually certified in English Language Arts and Reading and Social Studies. I taught 7th grade Social Studies for 1 year before moving to New York City to complete my Masters in K-12 School Counseling. During my time in New York City, I gained experience at the High School level while working with grades 9-12 at Baruch College Campus High School. I truly enjoy working at the secondary level, especially as it pertains to college advising and college counseling. While interning, I was awarded the Gilbert M. Trachtman Fellowship award from New York University. This is an award that is given to students to recognize their contribution to serving children, parents, and teachers and being agents of change. Immediately after graduating from NYU, I moved to Houston and taught 6th grade English Language Arts for 1 year. I began my counseling career in 2017 at a high school in Fort Bend ISD. I believe counselors are in a unique position to truly advocate for students and ultimately have a positive affect on their academic careers. You never know how a smile or positive affirmation can change a persons life, so I always try to emit positivity and light to each student I come in contact with.
When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I am a huge advocate for health and wellness, so often times, I am either at the gym, the local park, or trying out a new healthy recipe. I believe that health truly is wealth!
Recognition & Education:
Masters in School Counseling from New York University, Spring 2013
Bachelor of Art s in Middle Grades Education from North Carolina State University, Spring 2016
Ms. Slaughter
I started my career as an educator in a small town called, Milano, Texas. There, I primarily taught High School and Junior High Spanish, but I also taught Speech Communication and I was the Yearbook Advisor. During the three years I spent in Milano I also attended graduate school at Texas A&M University to obtain my masters in Educational Psychology because my dream was to become a school counselor. After finishing my masters, I continued to teach Spanish for one year in Giddings ISD and for one year at Taylor High School in Katy ISD. Then, I stepped into my first school counseling opportunity as a Counselor at Cy Lakes High School in Cy Fair ISD. I was a counselor in Cy Fair for 4 years before moving back and becoming a counselor at WoodCreek Junior High. In the years I have spent as a school counselor, I have dedicated myself to helping others and creating alliances that have led me to connect with everyone I encounter. I believe that by building positive relationships I can help my students understand themselves better, and ultimately become their own advocate. Through all aspects of being a school counselor, I work with my team to build an effective counseling program that addresses the academic, career and social emotional needs of each student.
When I am not working I absolutely love to spend time with my two boys. We enjoy spending time with our family and friends, our two dogs, swimming, watching movies, and sports. I also love memes, photography, cooking and fitness. I persist in living a lifestyle full of energy, laughter, and optimism.
Recognition & Education:
2018 District-Wide Junior High Counselor of the Year, Katy ISD
Katy ISD Junior High District Lead counselor, Fall 2015-present
Masters in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University, Spring 2007
Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication from Texas A&M University, Spring 2003
Ms. McCarthy
I have lived in Katy for 25 years, and I am a former Katy ISD student. I started my career as an educator in Katy ISD in 2015. I have taught special education at the junior high level for 6 years. Previously, I taught at Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes Junior High. while teaching, I received my masters degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University. as a counselor, I believe positive growth mindset is crucial for student success. I enjoy helping students realize their potential, learn from their challenges, set goals for themselves, and achieve success. I find it rewarding to be able to give back to my community.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family & friends. I absolutely adore my sweet niece and try to visit with her as often as I can. I like to work out, read a good book, explore Houston, and indulge in some relaxation on the weekends!
Recognition & Education:
Masters in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University, Spring 2020
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Spring 2015
Ms. McCarthy
I have lived in Katy for 25 years, and I am a former Katy ISD student. I started my career as an educator in Katy ISD in 2015. I have taught special education at the junior high level for 6 years. Previously, I taught at Cinco Ranch and Seven Lakes Junior High. while teaching, I received my masters degree in educational psychology from Texas A&M University. as a counselor, I believe positive growth mindset is crucial for student success. I enjoy helping students realize their potential, learn from their challenges, set goals for themselves, and achieve success. I find it rewarding to be able to give back to my community.
When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family & friends. I absolutely adore my sweet niece and try to visit with her as often as I can. I like to work out, read a good book, explore Houston, and indulge in some relaxation on the weekends!
Recognition & Education:
Masters in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University, Spring 2020
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio, Spring 2015
Mrs. Caffey
I began my journey with Katy ISD and WoodCreek Junior High in 2008, the year WCJH opened. I serve as both the registrar and counselor secretary. I enjoy helping families, as many of them are just beginning their journey here; often times finding a school is top of their list over finding a house. I strive to help parents feel comfortable entrusting their kids to our Timberwolf family. All the while knowing, it is not easy on students to move across states, or countries, and change schools.
I want kids on our campus to feel like someone is here to help them when they come to the counselor’s office. Often times, I am the first person that a student will see when they come to our office and I embrace the opportunity to help them in any way that I can. We have an amazing team of counselors that want to help our students succeed and I enjoy being a part of this team.
When I am not working, I love being a wife and mom. My husband and I have been married for almost 28 years and are adjusting to life with young adult kids. I love cheering on my Houston Astros and Texans, as well as my kids' colleges, the Syracuse Orangemen and Houston Cougars.
