Welcome to Dodgen Middle School's Counseling website! We are excited to work with you throughout the 2024-2025 school year!

Meet the counselors

Dodgen counselors have assigned grade levels but very often work as a team to assist in major activities. ​

Tonia Martin-Gatlin

6th Grade
[email protected]
​APPOINTMENT REQUEST

Tonia has been part of the Dodgen team for 10 years and serves as our 6th-grade counselor. She received her Masters of Education and School Counseling degrees from Mercer University. 
In her free time, Tonia enjoys exercising, traveling, spending time with family, and going to the movies!

Fun Facts: Tonia was an elementary and middle school teacher for 10 years. She also played violin and was part of the cheerleading squad in high school!
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Kathryn Palmer

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​7th Grade
 [email protected]
APPOINTMENT REQUEST

Kathryn is coming to us most recently from Gwinnett County and Rome City Schools.  This is her 19th year as a school counselor, and this is her 2nd year at Dodgen. She received her Masters of Education in School Counseling from Valdosta State, and an Education Specialist in School Counseling from the University of Georgia.

Fun Facts: In her spare time, Kathryn enjoys traveling, walking her Labrador, watching football (GO Dawgs), and spending time with her 3 kids and husband.  Kathryn is very excited to join the Dodgen family and support students and families. 
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Kaley Hammonds

8th grade
[email protected]
Appointment Request 

Kaley has been part of the Dodgen team for 5 years and is excited to continue her role as the 8th-grade counselor this year. She received her Masters of Education from Georgia State University, and an Education Specialist in School Counseling from the University of the Cumberlands. 

In her spare time, Kaley enjoys drawing and painting, hiking, kayaking, spending time with her friends and family, and traveling!

​Fun Facts: Kaley is a karaoke master and loves to sing! She also has 3 fur babies; A Pitbull named Dutchess, a cat named Augustus, and a cat named Arya!

Office Hours:
Monday -Friday 
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

About our program:

Our Mission Statement: 

Dodgen Middle School counselors will provide a data driven, comprehensive school counseling program that is equitable and developmentally appropriate. Dodgen school counselors will contribute to a positive school culture, where students feel included, safe, and supported, while advocating to remove barriers to student success.
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Our Vision Statement:​
Dodgen MS students will maximize their potential for academic success by building their personal skills to be college and career ready.  Dodgen MS students will positively contribute to their community and be productive contributors to society.​
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Our Beliefs:​
Students are our highest priority and have a right to a quality education.
All students have the right to a safe supportive learning environment.
All students have the right to be heard and treated with respect and dignity.
All students have the right to access services from a professional school counselor who collaborates with staff, families, and community.
Advocate for all students encouraging them to develop to their fullest potential.
Services we provide:

​CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
Counselors go into classrooms throughout the school year to deliver instruction on various topics that align with the American School Counseling Association's mindsets and behaviors. 
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GROUP COUNSELING
Counselors run small groups throughout the school year for students who have common interests or concerns. Counselors receive referrals from parents, teachers, and administrators. These groups may include, but are not limited to the following: Peer Relations, New Students, Social Skills, Anger Management, Self-Esteem, and Organizational Skills.
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INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING
Individual personal/social, academic, and career counseling is available during the school day. Sessions are kept confidential except when students disclose they are being hurt, are hurting someone else, or they are wanting to hurt themselves.
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RESPONSIVE SERVICES
When students disclose they are being hurt, are hurting someone else, or wanting to hurt themselves, counselors respond to the needs of students, staff and community in times of crisis/emergency.
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