School Counseling Office

About Madalyn Cardinal

There are many pieces of who I am that started here in this incredible town. I was raised in Jennings County schools and have grown up knowing the heart and mission of Jennings County School Corporation. I have several family members who serve students in our schools and because of that upbringing, I developed a passion to give back to the very schools that made me.

I attended Graham Creek Elementary, passed through Jennings County Middle School (JCMS), and graduated from Jennings County High School in 2015. After graduation, I attended two smaller schools to continue my education in social work and athletic career in softball. The fall of my junior year, I transferred to the best place on earth - Indiana University Bloomington - to finish my degree in social work in 2019. I knew that ultimately, I wanted to build my career in education and social work, so I went straight into my master’s program at IUPUI where I studied school social work. After my 2020 graduation, I worked as a licensed therapist at a private practice agency in Seymour and shifted career paths to school counseling in 2021 at JCMS.

My husband Blake and I got married in 2020 and welcomed our first blessing in 2021. She is the light of our lives and has a personality that brings joy to every room. We have two golden retrievers who are gentle, sweet, and obsessed with our daughter, Rubi. We love going to IU football games, taking family walks at our local parks, and eating out at our favorite Jennings County restaurants.

Middle schoolers are so vibrant, eager, and wonderfully curious about life and what their purpose is. I have learned so much from them, and I plan to continue being a student to them as they pass through JCMS and on to their future.

My mission is to serve and support our students in new, exciting, and enlightening ways so that they have the social, emotional, and behavioral skills necessary to become successful individuals. While their time at JCMS is short, my hope is that they look back and know that the School Counseling Office helped build their foundation for college and career readiness, mental health awareness, and life skills essential to well-being.

Feel free to reach out and contact me if you need any assistance and I will be happy to help!

About Gavin McKinney

I was born and raised right here in Jennings County. I am thankful for the childhood that this community gave me. There were many members throughout this community who helped shape me into the man I am today, and for that, I am so thankful. These people and role models that I had growing up inspired me to find a career that allows me to give back to the community. To say I am now excited to be at JCMS is an understatement.

Growing up, I attended St. Mary’s Elementary and then went on to attend Jennings County High School, where I graduated in the class of 2019. Following high school, I attended Anderson University, where I earned degrees in social work and political science. Following my undergraduate studies, I attended Indiana Wesleyan University, where I graduated with a Master's Degree in social work in 2024.

Before moving to JCMS, I worked in public schools as a school social worker and psychotherapist in both the Anderson and Indianapolis areas for 2 years. While working, I studied to become a licensed social worker. When I was given the opportunity to move back home to coach soccer and work at JCMS as a school counselor, it was an easy decision to make.

When not at work, I spend a lot of time with my three little siblings, coaching soccer, running through town, and attending as many sporting events as possible with my friends. The thing I love the most about working with middle schoolers is that we get to help them navigate this monumental transition in their lives. By educating your students on coping skills, life skills, and providing a listening ear, I hope to be someone your students can rely on while here at the middle school.

I am very thankful for the opportunity to play a small role in shaping the next generation of successful Jennings County residents. If you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me. I would love to help.

Blessings.