Message from Alice Geiss
Dear Olive Chapel Elementary School Students, Parents and Staff members,
Well, believe it or not I have been a school counselor in North Carolina for almost 30 years, with 23 years at Olive Chapel Elementary School.
Beginning March 1st, 2020, I will be retiring from my school counselor profession and embarking on new adventures. My last day at Olive Chapel will be February 18th.
Working as a school counselor at Olive Chapel Elementary School, I have had many opportunities to grow and develop as a school counselor, create lasting friendships and most of all, advocate for the mental health of our children.
Thank you to the principals and assistance principals that I have worked with over the years at Olive Chapel Elementary. They have always been a true advocate for the school counselor profession. Thank you to my fellow colleagues and school counselors who have offered support, help and assistance during challenging times. Thank you to the school counselor interns that I have had the opportunity to work with and to their pursuit of their journey as a school counselor. A special thank you all the students and parents who have touched my heart and made me want to be a better school counselor.
This is not a "good-bye" but more like a "see you later".
Christine Martin Byers
M.Ed.; LPCA
This is my fifth year at Olive Chapel Elementary and I am grateful to be a part of the OCE team. This year I will be working with all tracks via individual, small group and classroom guidance. I graduated from NCSU with a Bachelor's in Sociology and a Master’s in Education/School Counseling. I am also a part time clinical therapist which allows me to help others outside of the school environment. I live in Apex with my two son’s ages 16 and 20 along with two of the sweetest dogs named Scooter and Ivy. My hobbies include anything outdoors...running, hiking, walking, biking, kayaking, swimming, gardening, and camping just to name a few. My stress reliever is baking, cooking, running, and meditation. My passion is practicing mindfulness and helping children learn mindfulness as well, which is part of one of many in class guidance programs Mrs. Geiss and myself will be teaching this year. It is my goal to help kids rise above any perceived obstacles that keep them from growing into loving, respectful, kind, smart, and compassionate human beings. It is my philosophy that all children have the potential to learn and it is our job as educators, parents, as well as our community to make sure we do all we can to help them become successful on all levels of growth. I am looking forward to a great year. Thank you for trusting me with your children for it is a great honor.
Welcome to our new school counselor!
Kodi Nordahl, NCC
I am very excited to join the Olive Chapel family and look forward to meeting students and families soon! I am originally from Iowa but have spent the last few years living in Colorado and Delaware. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and my Master's Degree in School Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado. I have a great deal of experience working with children as I taught English in South Korea for 3 years, have worked as a Caseworker for children with disabilities and also as an Instructional Assistant in special education settings. For the last few years, I have worked as both an elementary and middle school counselor.
I love to spend time outdoors in the sunshine, whether it's taking a walk, biking, running, or being near the water! In my free time, you can find me doing any of those activities, Crossfit, or hanging out with my puppy, Charlie!
My passion lies in helping students succeed, gain confidence, and grow into the amazing people that they are. If you have any questions or concerns about your student, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Kodi Nordahl, NCC
I am very excited to join the Olive Chapel family and look forward to meeting students and families soon! I am originally from Iowa but have spent the last few years living in Colorado and Delaware. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and my Master's Degree in School Counseling from Adams State University in Colorado. I have a great deal of experience working with children as I taught English in South Korea for 3 years, have worked as a Caseworker for children with disabilities and also as an Instructional Assistant in special education settings. For the last few years, I have worked as both an elementary and middle school counselor.
I love to spend time outdoors in the sunshine, whether it's taking a walk, biking, running, or being near the water! In my free time, you can find me doing any of those activities, Crossfit, or hanging out with my puppy, Charlie!
My passion lies in helping students succeed, gain confidence, and grow into the amazing people that they are. If you have any questions or concerns about your student, please don't hesitate to reach out!