Who is my school counselor?
How do I make an appointment with them?

For the 2021-2022 School Year:  

7th graders: Ms. Liz Banham / Ms. Jenny Butler

lbanham@ohsd.net 360-279-5507 

jbutler@ohsd.net    360-279-5507

Ms. Butler is on leave for the first part of the school year. In her place, Mr. Liz Banham will be supporting the 7th grade students along with Ms. DePrey

8th graders: Ms. Jennifer DePrey 

jdeprey@ohsd.net 360-279-5506

For quick questions, the fastest way to get help is to email or call us. We can also meet with students for longer meetings if they need support or want to talk. To make an appointment, you can email us, come visit us during lunch, or ask your teacher if you may come see us during class with a pass.  Meeting request slips are located by our doors to request meetings when we are not immediately available.

Students have the same school counselor for both years they are at NWMS.

School Counseling at North Whidbey

When you need to talk to someone, your school counselor is a great place to start! 

Your NWMS Counselors are here to help you with academic achievement, personal/social development, and career exploration. School counselors work with teachers, principals, and other school staff to help you become successful, responsible students. Counselors also partner with parents and the community to help student needs to be met. 

We are available to listen and help problem-solve, as well as to provide encouragement and support.

How can your school counselor help you? 

• academic support and scheduling
• organizational, study, and test-taking skills
• understanding yourself and others
• regulating emotions
• building coping strategies 
• friendships, relationships, and social skills
• communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution
• career awareness, exploration, and planning
• substance abuse education
• multicultural and diversity awareness
• deployment and military family support
• grief and loss
• violence prevention
• anxiety, stress, anger, depression 
• referrals to other services

Meet Our NWMS Counselors! 

Jenny Butler - 7th Grade  (Class of 2027) 

Ms. Butler graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in international relations. She taught conversational English in Japan for two years and toured Asia.  After working for several businesses, Ms. Butler decided to make a career change. She earned a master's in school counseling from Seattle Pacific University. Ms. Butler enjoys working with middle school students and says they have an energy and perspective on life that is refreshing. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, fishing and swimming.     

Jennifer DePrey - 8th Grade (Class of 2026)

Ms. DePrey has a Master's degree in counseling from Seattle University and a bachelor's degree in Human Services from Western Washington University. She loves working with middle school students, to help them find their passions, learn about themselves and the world around them, build good academic habits, and grow into life-long learners. Outside of school, Ms. DePrey loves to read, listen too and make music, travel, and spend time with her friends, family, and her dog.