My name is Marla Sobel, and I'm very excited to begin working as the Pleasant Hill guidance counselor this year!  I have been the full-time guidance counselor at Jackson Elementary in Des Moines for the past nineteen years.  Prior to that, I was a classroom teacher at Woodlawn Elementary School for five years.  Interestingly enough, your former (WONDERFUL) counselor, Mrs. Helt, and I both worked together as second grade teachers at Woodlawn.  She and I have been friends for quite a long time, and she has told me terrific things about Pleasant Hill. My counseling position for the 2010-2011 school year will be something different than I've ever done during my twenty-four years in the district.  I will be splitting my time between two schools-- Jackson and Pleasant Hill.  Due to district budget cuts, I will only be in each building two and a half days a week.  Although it will be challenging, I will certainly do the best I can to meet the needs of students, families, and staff at both buildings.  You are certainly welcome to call me at Jackson on the days I'm not at Pleasant Hill.  The number there is 242-8415.

 I grew up in WiImette, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago.  I lived in the same house for eighteen years with my parents and my older brother, Arnie.  I have been married to my wonderful husband, Phil for twenty-two years.  We have two awesome children-- a son (10) and daughter (12).  Our kids keep us very busy and fill our lives with incredible joy.  We also have two lovable dogs.  Zoe (6) is black Standard Poodle who was given to us by a former Jackson family, and Nudgie (12) is a beautiful Golden Retriever with a major drooling problem.  I am a major dog lover, so if you ever bring puppies or dogs to school, PLEASE stop by so I can meet them!