The Union Academy counseling and guidance program plays a key role in promoting students’ emotional, social, moral, and academic development. School Counselors strive to respond to the “needs of the individual child” by providing many services to our students.
Counselors provide individual counseling services to students who demonstrate concerns about: relationships, academics, stress, family issues, etc. on an individual/as-needed basis.
Counseling intervention may be provided in small groups for students with similar concerns, such as divorce, school adjustment, friendships, grief, anger, motivation, study skills, etc.
Consultation is available to teachers and parents when student issues arise. School Counselors can assist with behavior plans, classroom strategies, accommodations, outside counseling referrals, etc.
UA school counselors work to: provide opportunities for students to explore and evaluate potential job paths; provide opportunities for students to evaluate and determine their own talents, strengths, and weaknesses.
Union Academy is committed to reaching the needs of the whole child- academically, socially, and emotionally. Based upon the requirements of Session Law 2020-7 and NCDPI Policy SHLT-003, Union Academy screens all students for possible mental health concerns. Staff will contact parents if a concern is raised. School Counselors lead the Mental Health screening process.
Union Academy Supports the Mental Health of Students
Union Academy is committed to reaching the needs of the whole child- academically, socially, and emotionally. Through a partnership with Atrium Health, students have access to a fully licensed School-Based Therapist.
Students for 2nd grade only in Ellise, Matthews, Schaefer, and Waldent classrooms.
Kim Beare
My name is Kimberly (Kim) Beare. I have been working at Union Academy since 2015. I have an undergraduate degree from Belmont Abbey in Psychology, a Masters of Education in Community Agency Counseling from Clemson University and a School Counselor’s Certificate from University of NC at Charlotte. My experience includes 8 years in a Wilderness Education Program working directly with kids for three of those years and the other five with kids and their families. I have worked in the Union County Public School system and have found my home here at Union Academy. My husband Dan and I have two boys (Danny and Jacob) and a daughter (Jacquie). They all attend(ed) Union Academy, one with the honor of being part of the pandemic graduating class of 2020. All three of them have enjoyed various activities such as Band, Marching Band, Football, Baseball, Soccer, Wrestling and Cheer. We love to fish, go to the creek, swim, build things and spend time cooking out together and watching movies.
BA in Psychology from Belmont Abbey
ME in Community Agency Counseling from Clemson University
Certification in School Counseling from UNC Charlotte
2nd, 3rd, 4th Graders
Students for 2nd grade only in Beekman, Oles, & Simons classrooms.
Kelly Brun
I have served Union Academy as a school counselor since 2003. I hold a BA in Communication Processes and Disorders from the University of Florida and MS in Counseling and Psychology with a specialization in School Counseling from Troy State University. I have a passion for helping students find their independence and confidence. In addition to counseling and working with students, I love spending time with my family. Tim and I moved to North Carolina in 2003 and we have two sons, Grayson & Gage. I love reading, traveling, hiking, scrapbooking, & fishing. I look forward to getting to know your student(s) and working together throughout the school year. Please use the buttons below to get in contact with me or find valuable resources.
BA in Communication Processes and Disorders from the University of Florida
MS in Counseling and Psychology: School Counseling Specialization from Troy State University
Students for 2nd grade only in Beekman, Oles, & Simons classrooms.
Kelly Brun
I have served Union Academy as a school counselor since 2003. I hold a BA in Communication Processes and Disorders from the University of Florida and MS in Counseling and Psychology with a specialization in School Counseling from Troy State University. I have a passion for helping students find their independence and confidence. In addition to counseling and working with students, I love spending time with my family. Tim and I moved to North Carolina in 2003 and we have two sons, Grayson & Gage. I love reading, traveling, hiking, scrapbooking, & fishing. I look forward to getting to know your student(s) and working together throughout the school year. Please use the buttons below to get in contact with me or find valuable resources.
BA in Communication Processes and Disorders from the University of Florida
MS in Counseling and Psychology: School Counseling Specialization from Troy State University
This is my first year at Union Academy, but I have been a school counselor for more than 31 years. I earned my BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1990 and my MA in School Counseling from Appalachian State University in 1992. My school counseling experience includes both the elementary and middle school levels. I have a “whatever it takes” attitude when it comes to serving young people.
My husband, of 30 years, and I have two grown sons, Benjamin and Jacob. I am an active member of Hopewell Baptist Church. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my friends and exercising (pickleball and golf). I look forward to serving many years at UA.
Mr. Will Cobb is new to the Middle School Counseling Department this year, bringing 11 years of classroom and coaching experience with him. In addition to his years as a teacher, Mr. Cobb served as an Admissions Counselor at his alma mater, Barton College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy in 2010. Mr. Cobb came to UA in 2016, where he served as an 8th grade Science and Social Studies teacher. He completed his Master's of Education in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Positive Coaching in 2018 and returned to UA to teach Health and Physical Education. Mr. Cobb comes to the Counseling Department after spending two years in the classroom teaching Leadership Development to grades five through eight.
Mr. Cobb is married and has one child, born in 2021. He was born in Wilson, NC but moved to Union County in 2016. He likes to spend his free time exercising, hanging out with family or golfing.
MA Education in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Positive Coaching - U. of Missouri-Columbia
BA Religion and Philosophy - Barton College
Mrs. Hammonds was born and raised in North Carolina. She has lived in Richmond, Union, Mecklenburg, and Anson County. She has spent most of her lifetime in Union County, which she considers her home. Mrs. Hammonds graduated from Forest Hills High School in 2000, earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at UNC Charlotte in 2004, and her Masters in School Counseling from UNC Pembroke in 2009. She has worked in the high school counseling profession since the start of 2010.
Mrs. Hammonds married her husband, Mark, in 2006, and together they have two beautiful daughters who attend Union Academy, Lily and Henly. Mrs. Hammonds loves spending time with her family, exercising, doing yard/house work, fishing, and reading. However, her favorite pastime activity is watching her daughters play sports (softball, basketball, and volleyball).
Mrs. Hammonds’ goals as a high school counselor involve supporting students in their academic growth and achieving their academic goals, while also supporting their social and emotional development.
Deanna Devine joined the UA Counseling staff in 2021. She has been working in education since 2005. As a NC Teaching Fellow, Deanna earned her Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies Education and Sociology from North Carolina State University (Go Pack!) Deanna taught AP Psychology and Civics at Butler High School for seven years and has taught Psychology with NCVPS since 2016. Deanna earned her Masters in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. In 2012 she became a school counselor at Cuthbertson High School where she served for four years. Deanna is a part of the NC School Counselor Association and the American School Counselor Association. She is very excited to be a part of the UA Counseling Staff! Deanna is a native North Carolinian and resides in Union County with her husband and two sons. In 2019, Deanna and her husband self-built / self-contracted their own home, which was quite an adventure! In her spare time you may find her working on home DIY projects, tending to her cut flower garden, running, quilting or watching movies and playing board games with her family. Deanna serves high school students with the last names M-Z.
Ms. Kristen Oliver joins Union Academy with over seven years of experience providing therapy to children, adolescents, and families. Ms. Oliver will work in conjunction with Union Academy’s five licensed school counselors to serve all students in need.
