Darianne Etheridge M.Ed. '21
Darianne Etheridge M.Ed. '21 is an Elementary School Counselor at James River Elementary School in Williamsburg VA.
Etheridge was an elementary school teacher for 11 years, witnessing firsthand the need for increased social emotional learning and support in schools. As part of the first online school counseling cohort at William & Mary, she was able to complete the program while teaching full time. After graduating in 2021, Etheridge was hired as a school counselor for Williamsburg James City County Schools.
In just three years of working at James River, Etheridge has implemented a comprehensive school counseling program that supports staff, students and their families. Based on her wholehearted belief in the evidenced-based program, Etheridge and her co-counselor applied for James River to be a Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program (RAMP). After dedicating a year and a half to the application process, the school received the recognition this past February.
"By William & Mary offering an online counseling program, I was able to turn my dream of changing careers, which often seemed impossible, into a reality. I was fortunate to have such personable, experienced and knowledgeable professors that despite limitations of online learning, delivered an expansive, useful curriculum," says Etheridge. "Through their instruction and the knowledge I gained from the program, I was able to help my school, the first school in our division, earn RAMP, a national recognition! I am excited to continue sharing the wisdom I learned from W&M to better serve my school and community!"
