Kim Yelverton

Cubs through Fifth Grade Guidance Counselor/Character Education

Kim Coffman Yelverton, the Cubs through fifth grade guidance counselor, received her bachelor of arts degree with education certification in grades K-8 from the University of Mississippi and a masters of science in counseling from the University of Memphis.

Kim has been in education for more than 20 years, and has been a counselor at USJ for six years. She has 15 years of teaching experience in many grades, from K through 9. She previously worked as a counselor for Small World Adoption in Nashville and as an elementary education supervisor at Union University. Kim is a member of the Midsouth Area of Independent School Counselors, Tennessee Counselors Association, American School Counselor Association, Tennessee Eating Disorders Coalition, and Juvenile Diabetes Association. She is an advisory board member for Abstinence Character Training of West Tennessee and a board member of the National League of Junior Cotillion.

“I am responsible for developing and delivering character education in a classroom setting,” she said. “We are fortunate to have a myriad of excellent programs/curriculum to assist me in the structure and formation of our weekly lessons. I assist students in the areas of social and emotional development, provide individual and small group counseling in a variety of settings, and consult and collaborate with teachers, staff and parents in understanding and meeting the needs of students.”

"I am aware that we are all working toward the same goals of achieving success for students." One way she works with classroom teachers to promote positive development is to develop success skills, decision making, responsibility, self-esteem, attitudes, and behaviors. “We often explore the meaning of effective relationships, communication skills and problem-solving and conflict resolution,” Kim said. “In addition to delivering the school counseling curriculum in the classroom, I am available for the friendship groups, stop and think groups, and changing families groups. I also can assist the teachers and parents with certain academic assessments and evaluations.”

She views her position at USJ as a way to help improve relationships through communication that is responsive, clear, timely, and inclusive with USJ families, with colleagues, and with the community.

In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, boating, and generally doing things outdoors – even yardwork. She and her husband Johnny of 25 years have three children: Caroline is a USJ graduate and a sophomore at Murray State University; Maggie is a senior in high school; and Franklin is in seventh grade at USJ.

Kim enjoys teaching at USJ: “I enjoy reaching out to people with so many diverse needs. I find myself in the role of parent, sibling, friend, religious counselor, analyst, medic, advisor, marriage counselor, travel consultant, teacher, supervisor, secretary, baby sitter, repairer, and listener. My day is filled with people of great importance, and I take my responsibility seriously.”

Email Kim Yelverton