Hello HES family!  My name is Mrs. McIlwain and I am the School Counselor at Hudson Elementary School for students in grades 3-5.  This is my fifth year at HES and I am so happy to be here!

I grew up in Statesville, NC and moved to Greenville, NC after high school to attend East Carolina University.  At ECU I graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development & Family Relations. After graduating I moved back to Statesville and worked for Easter Seals UCP for four years.  In August 2013 I moved to Hickory, NC and began the graduate program at Lenoir Rhyne University and graduated with my Master's Degree in School Counseling in May 2016. Later in 2016 I got married and moved to Conover, NC where I currently live.  I worked at Hudson Middle School for two years before moving to Hudson Elementary School in August 2019. In March 2020, my husband and I had our first child, a handsome baby boy who gives us a run for our money!  In March 2021, we welcomed our second child, another handsome baby boy who wants to be just like his big brother!

As a School Counselor it is my job to provide the school with a Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP). This means I help my students grow in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development.  I serve my students through individual and small group counseling as well as classroom lessons as needed.

I am excited to work at the elementary school level where students are open to making positive changes in their lives with the right connections and support.  It is my goal to help the students at HES reach their full potential so that they are well prepared for middle school and life in general. That means working along with families of students, HES staff, and community members. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to another awesome school year!