IC IMAGINE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
MISSION STATEMENT
IC Imagine’s Compelling Why & Vision for SEL and School Mental Health Improvement:
IC Imagine provides all students and staff with the mental health and social emotional skills and supports necessary to cope with everyday life challenges both in and out of the school environment. These skills benefit individuals academically, professionally, socially, and emotionally through a full array of ethically focused and equitable supports, including prevention, programming, and services that foster overall wellbeing, a positive school climate and, ultimately, lead to safe, healthy, and socially just communities.
MEET OUR MENTAL HEALTH TEAM
AMANDA BELL
Behavioral Health MTSS Coordinator/School Psychologist
(828) 633-6491
My name is Amanda Bell and I am honored to be the MTSS Behavioral Health Coordinator here at IC Imagine. I obtained an undergraduate degree in Psychological Sciences from Purdue University (Go Boilers!) and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Psychology with a graduate minor in Counseling from Indiana University. I have worked within public schools throughout my 15 year long professional career beginning in Chicago, IL then Indiana, and for the past 9 years, right here in Asheville. I was raised in Southern Indiana in an exceptionally diverse family of 10! My upbringing laid the groundwork and ignited my passion for supporting students, families, and staff in meeting the various emotional, behavioral, and academic needs within communities. I strive to take a heart centered approach in all that I do here at IC Imagine and know that I’m in the best of company in aiming to do so!
It is my goal to help school communities in providing equitable supports and equal opportunities for every child so that they can realize their own unique gifts they have to contribute to the world. When I am not at work, I’m enjoying my two young children and husband, often outdoor adventuring. I enjoy hiking, trail running, mountain biking, reading (at least 7 books at once), hanging out with my amazing “mama tribe” and relying on a steady yoga practice to reset.
ABBEY GELINEAU, UPPER SCHOOL
9th and 10th Grade School Counselor
(828) 782-0176
My name is Abbey Gelineau and I am the Upper School Counselor at IC Imagine. I was born and raised in New England, but moved down to Asheville in July of 2013 to take the Freshman Counselor position at Enka High School. Prior to my three years at Enka, I spent four years at Pioneer Charter School of Science, located in Boston, MA, counseling students in grades 7-12. Before that, my first counseling job was as a 7th grade counselor in San Francisco at Marina Middle School. I graduated from Skidmore College in 2004, where I majored in Sociology and minored in Early Childhood Education and Women’s Studies. I received my Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco in 2008.
Advising adolescents is my true calling, and I am fortunate enough to both teach and learn from my students on a daily basis. When I am not at school, I enjoy cooking, practicing yoga, spending time with friends, and hitting the trails of WNC with my rescue pup, Birdy.
CHELSEA LAFFERTY, UPPER SCHOOL
11th and 12th Grade School Counselor
College and Career Counselor
(828) 633-6491 ext. 4109
My name is Chelsea Lafferty and I am the 11th and 12th grade school counselor at IC Imagine. I grew up in Charlotte, NC and graduated from UNC Charlotte with a degree in mathematics. I decided to move over to the mountains and started with IC Imagine in 2015 as an upper school math teacher. Though I loved being in the classroom, I found myself gravitating towards deeper one-on-one conversations with my students and this led me into the world of counseling. I completed my master’s degree in school counseling at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
I am very excited to continue my work in IC Imagine community in the counseling role for our 11th and 12th grade families. I am also available to work with any IC Imagine students and their families on identifying students’ college and career goals and helping support them through the college application and financial aid process. I live in the heart of West Asheville with my three dogs and in my free time, I enjoy trying new restaurants, attending live music events and exploring all that this city has to offer.
JESSE MITCHELL, MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)
School Counselor
(828) 772-9580
I grew up here in Western North Carolina and happy to continue to call it home. I have a lovely wife and three amazing children, all of which are part of the IC Imagine family. Before working here, I was the School Counselor at Oakley Elementary School. I have a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Old Dominion University – 2007 and a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in School Counseling from ODU – 2010. I have worked with all developmental levels at IC Imagine but have found my place in middle school. I love working in this educational environment. I love being at this school and I believe in the educational impact our school has on its students. ICI is a family and I am proud to be part of it. It is my mission to aid in the socio-emotional, academic and career development for all of our students while advocating for student well-being through collaboration with students, parents, teachers, administration and stakeholders. Go Kingfishers!!!
ASHLEE KINNAIRD, LOWER SCHOOL (K-5)
School Counselor
(828) 708-8530
My name is Ashlee Kinnaird and I am one of the Lower School Counselors here at IC Imagine. I was born and raised in Blackshear, Georgia. After some traveling out west, I settled in Asheville in 2004. I graduated from UNC Asheville with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and received my Master’s in Counseling from Western Carolina University. Prior to joining ICI’s counseling team, I taught Spanish at a variety of levels. I feel honored to be a part of the ICI family and work with these kids everyday. It is my goal to aid students in their social, emotional, academic, and career development during their time at IC Imagine.
My husband and I live in Swannanoa and have two children, Landen and Avery, and two pups, Cooper and Ellie. We love spending time together and with friends, traveling, cooking, camping, and hiking.
MICHAEL HOLM, LOWER SCHOOL (K-5)
School Counselor
My name is Michael Holm and I am happy to be one of the lower school counselors at IC Imagine. Originally from Connecticut, I earned my bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Western Connecticut State University, which led me into the world of education. I previously taught middle school English in Connecticut and North Carolina for six years before earning my master’s degree in school counseling from Western Carolina University. Although I enjoyed helping students reach their academic goals, I always found myself gravitating towards helping students grow socially and emotionally. This led to a natural transition to school counseling. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing, writing, exploring, meditating, reading, and learning all kinds of new, exciting things.