School Counseling Director

Email Mr. Scott Cohen

Mr. Scott Cohen grew up in Short Pump, Virginia and graduated from Mills Godwin High School. He is considered a triple Hoo as he earned a B.A. in Anthropology from UVA in 1992, a Master’s in Counselor Education from UVA in 1994, and an Educational Specialist Degree from UVA in 2008.   Mr. Cohen started his career at Indian River High School in 1994 as a School Counselor and has been here ever since.  He has served as a School Counselor for 11 years and as the School Counseling Director for 18 years. While at Indian River he was a class sponsor for 13 years, the Academic Advisor for over 15 years, and he emcees the Miss/Mr. IR pageant as well as other Chesapeake and Virginia Beach high school pageants each year.

Responsibilities and Duties:
School Counseling/Guidance Department Chair
NCAA Eligibility
College Board Testing Special Accommodations Coordinator

School Counselor for students with last names A-Cr

Email Mr. Timothy Hargrove

Mr. Timothy Hargrove is a native of Portsmouth, Virginia and a proud graduate of Churchland High School. He earned a B.A. in English: Communication Sciences and Disorders from Norfolk State University (Go Spartans!);  a M.A. in Urban Education: Professional School Counseling K-12 from Norfolk State University; and a Post-Master Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University. Mr. Hargrove has been with Chesapeake Public Schools for 9 years, spending 6 years  at the elementary level and he is excited to be in his 5th year at the River! Mr. Hargrove has a dog, Maxie G and enjoys spending time with family, friends and the Marching Spartan “Legion” band at Norfolk State University as well as working out, traveling and attending church.  One of his favorite quotes is, “I Am…two of the most powerful words, for what you put after them shapes your reality.”

Responsibilities and Duties:
Scholarship Coordinator
Virginia Summer Governor’s School
Technology Committee
Communications Team
IRH Webmaster

School Counselor for students with last names Cu-Henry

Email Ms. Keshawna Jordan

Ms. KeShawna Jordan is a native of Norfolk, Virginia and a proud graduate of Lake Taylor High School. She has earned both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business-Finance and a M.A. Degree in Urban Education-Professional School Counseling K-12, from Norfolk State University. She is headed into her 6th year as a Professional School Counselor within Chesapeake Public Schools, and she is very excited to work with the high school population once more, as it is her passion to promote student success. Unity within family is one of Ms. Jordan’s core beliefs, as she enjoys spending quality time with her son, as well as close family members. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with friends, and learning new things that will always help her move ahead in life. One of her favorite quotes is “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you”. 

Responsibilities and Duties:
Dual Enrollment Liaison
Home-bound Coordinator

School Counselor for students with last names Her-Mei

Email Mrs. Christen Jones

Mrs. Christen Jones is a long-time resident of Chesapeake, Virginia and a proud graduate of Chesapeake Public Schools. She earned her B.S. in Earth Science Education and M.S.Ed. in School Counseling from Old Dominion University. Mrs. Jones taught Science at the middle and high school levels for nine years prior to becoming a School Counselor. This is her 16th year as an educator (and as a proud Brave!) – all of which have been in Chesapeake. Outside of school, Mrs. Jones enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, crafting, and reading. One of her favorite quotes is “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela.

Responsibilities and Duties:
AP Coordinator
MTSS Committee
Benevolent Braves Committee

School Counselor for students with last names Mel-Sc

Email Mrs. Jenny Barringer

Ms. Jenny Barringer is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and a proud graduate of Deep Creek High School. She earned a B.S. in Health Science: Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University and a M.A. in Urban Education:Professional School Counseling K-12 from Norfolk State University. After a long career in healthcare, she is starting her 14th year as a Professional School Counselor within Chesapeake Public Schools and her 2nd year at IRH. Outside of school, Ms. Barringer enjoys the beach, cooking, reading, traveling and she fosters kittens for an animal rescue group. Her two grown daughters are on the west coast and she enjoys spending time with them on school breaks. One of her favorite quotes is “Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Responsibilities and Duties:
Back up AP Coordinator
College Visits Coordinator
PSAT Coordinator

School Counselor for students with last names Se-Z

Email Ms. Brannef Peters

Ms. Brannef Peters is originally from Silver Spring, MD. She holds a Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling from Towson University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Hampton University. Ms. Peters has over 20 years of experience as a School Counselor from elementary through high school with students of diverse backgrounds. She has also worked in mental health and community settings. Ms. Peters remains dedicated to helping individuals overcome challenges, achieve personal growth and thrive on their own. Her favorite quote is “The mission is greater than the moment.” -Alvian Lyons

Responsibilities and Duties:
Career Counseling
Chesapeake Career Center Liaison
Military Liaison

Student Assistance Counselor

Email Mrs. Crystal Goodman

Mrs. Crystal Goodman is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and a proud graduate of Great Bridge High School. She double majored at THE Norfolk State University, where she earned a B.A. in Psychology: Mental Health, and a B.S. in Early Childhood Educations. Mrs. Goodman met the love of her life, “Dion”, and together they had 3 beautiful children, KyAura, Kristopher, and Kameron. After teaching for 10 years, Mrs. Goodman wanted to help students on a larger scale. So, she returned to school by going to Cambridge College. There, she received her M. Ed. in School Counseling, and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in School Administration and Instruction. Mrs. Goodman has been in education for 20 years, in Chesapeake for 16 and has served as counselor at Indian River High School for 13 years. Mrs. Goodman loves spending time with her family and friends, going to church, taking pictures professionally and making t-shirts. Mrs. Goodman lives by the quote, “If you can believe, you can receive it, IT’S YOURS!!!”

Responsibilities and Duties:
Student Assistance Counselor
Crisis Counselor
AVID Counselor
Truancy/Attendance

School Counseling Department Secretary

Email Mrs. Nicole Eze

Mrs. Nicole Eze is a native of Chesapeake, Virginia and a proud graduate of Great Bridge High School. She earned an A.A.S. in Legal Assisting from Tidewater Community College and has done further studies in Criminal Justice at Regent University. Mrs. Eze has been with Indian River High School since 2000 as their Guidance Secretary and Registrar and the proud sponsor of the class of 2007. She places God as number one in her life and believes in doing things with His will and grace. In her downtime she loves reading, listening to music, spending time with family and friends and purchasing and collecting shoes. One of her favorite quotes is “It is much better to do good in a way that no one knows anything about it”.

Responsibilities and Duties:
Administrative Assistant Duties
Records Management
Assisting families with enrollments and withdrawals

College Foundation Counselor

Email Mrs. Natasha Sackey

Mrs. Natasha Sackey is a graduate of Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, Virginia.  She earned a B.A. in Mass Communications and Public Relations from Virginia State University (Orange and Blue). She has been with The ACCESS College Foundation for 8 years. This is her 6th year as the ACCESS Advisor at IRHS. Mrs. Sackey is also a former recipient of the ACCESS scholarship. As an Advisor she can help you with the college and financial aid process from A-Z and more! She enjoys traveling and having fun with her husband and children.

Responsibilities and Duties:
Works with 9-12th graders to help with preparation for college and other pathways.
FAFSA $$ Assistance (financial aid)
College Application completion assistance
Fee waivers for college applications
SAT/ACT Test waivers
VA SOAR Scholarship Program
College Tours
Scholarships
And more!!

To Schedule an appointment click here: Mrs. Sackey Calendly
(Mrs. Sackey is flexible, if you prefer another day or time, please email  her)

Visit Mrs. Sackey’s Virtual Office

*ACCESS is a program that is offered in the high and middle schools from Northampton, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Western Tidewater area.  Additionally ACCESS has a College Success Program that is available on 13 VA college campuses to assist students. There is also a Career Connection Program to assist college students with finding employment and internships*

Graduation Coach

Email Mrs. Lee Anne Johnson

Mrs. Lee Anne Johnson is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia and is a graduate of Princess Anne High School. She earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Old Dominion University and a M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University. Mrs. Johnson was a co-teacher for the Program of Accelerated Learning (PAL) where she taught US history, life science and physical science for 14 years. She then taught all subjects and grade levels at Indian River Middle as the Academic Resource Class (ARC) teacher. This is her 29th year as an educator and she is excited to continue at Indian River High School as the graduation coach.

Responsibilities & Duties:
Assist with on-time graduation
Assist with attendance compliance
Assist with academic achievement
Liaison for ISAEP program
VTSS Site Coordinator

Work-Based Learning Coordinator

Email Ms. Ciara Pervall

Ms. Ciara Pervall is a native of Richmond, VA but has lived in Hampton Roads since 2004. She graduated with honors from NSU with a B.S. in Business Management, has a graduate certificate in Teacher Leadership from JMU, and is currently enrolled in a master’s program at ODU. Since 2015, she’s taught for Portsmouth, Norfolk and is now thriving in her role as WBL Coordinator with CPS.

She enjoys making memories with her teenage sister, Diamond, and their two dogs, Chino and Angel. Her most gratifying hobbies include spending time with family and friends, traveling, and volunteering. One of her favorite quotes is by John C. Maxwell, “If you want to keep giving you have to keep growing!”

Responsibilities & Duties:
WBL Seminar
On-site Career Events
Job Shadowing Day
College, Career, and Civic Readiness Initiative (CCCRI)

School Social Worker

Email Ms. Kelli Holmes

Ms. Kelli Holmes is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia and a graduate of Tallwood High School. She earned her B.A. in Psychology at Hampton University (The Real HU!) and a Master’s Degree in Social Work at Norfolk State University. She is currently pursuing her license to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker to further her professional career. This is her 5th year as the School Social Worker for IRHS. Prior to working in the school system, Ms. Holmes worked as a mental health and community based counselor in various settings and populations for over 5 years. Ms. Holmes is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential and advocating for families. She enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her daughter, dog, and friends. One of her favorite quotes is “ What if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” 

Responsibilities and Duties:
Participate in school based teams:  ESTAT, Child Study Committee, Eligibility and IEP meetings
Complete and present the sociocultural reports for the special education process
Refer students to and serve as a liaison with, outside agencies to include: social services, mental health/medical agencies,
juvenile and family court, etc.
Serve on the crisis intervention team
Serve on the attendance/truancy team
Address school based referrals to include: community resources, truancy, homelessness, domestic violence, etc.
Conduct home visits