About the Counselor

Mr. Jontarius Haywood

Hello, I’m pleased to serve as your child’s school counselor. My primary focus is to educate students on topics relating to social-emotional learning and to provide individual and small-group counseling services on a short-term basis. As a school counselor, I work to manage Pearman Elementary’s comprehensive school counseling program and to fully implement the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Model.

I serve on the school leadership team, PBIS committee, and MTSS committee here at Pearman Elementary.

I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC).

I have worked as a 5th & 6th grade social studies teacher and a 7th & 8th grade English teacher.

I was born and raised in Shelby, MS. I am a 2009 salutatorian graduate of Broad Street High School. I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi. While at UM I was selected for Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges & Universities. I also completed a study abroad program in magazine journalism at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. I have also earned a master’s degree in teaching, a master’s degree in school counseling, and an educational specialist degree in school counseling from Delta State University.

My hobbies include reading, writing, listening to music and podcasts, and watching movies. My music preferences are eclectic, but I mostly enjoy discovering classic R&B and hip-hop. My favorite types of podcasts include news/current events, comedy, and true crime. My favorite book genres are memoirs, non-fiction, and history. My favorite movie genres are mystery, suspense, and horror.

I currently reside in Cleveland, MS, and look forward to working with the students, parents, and staff at Pearman Elementary School.