The School Counselor
What does a school counselor do?
A professional school counselor is different from a therapeutic counselor. I am a teacher who has had special training to help students find success in education.
School counselors work to promote the academic, career and social development of all students. While school counselors primarily provide academic and career advising, school counselors also serve as the first point of contact for social and emotional concerns.
School counselors provide lessons in the classroom setting as well as meeting individually with students and parents.
School counselors serve students and parents—in class, in groups, and individually—to help students with academic, career, personal, and social development.
Individual referrals to the school counselor may be made by the student, a parent, or by school staff and administration. School counseling services do not constitute or substitute for professional therapeutic care.
Students may stop by the counseling office during the school day. Parents may call the counseling office to schedule an appointment or a phone conference. Matters of urgency will be given priority.
Support For Every Student, Every Day
The mission of the Leander ISD Counseling Services Department is to provide a proactive and comprehensive counseling program for all students. Counseling Services partners with educators, parents/guardians and community members to ensure all students in Leander ISD are prepared with the knowledge and skills to contribute at the highest level as productive members of society.
Leander ISD's Counseling Services Department is comprised of school-based counselors and school-based social workers and substance abuse prevention counselors. Through the comprehensive counseling program, students develop their academic, career and social skills to “Unlock Their Potential."
ASCA National Model
The ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Model is a framework for a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program.
The essential role of the elementary school counselor
When using the ASCA National Model, school counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:
Direct Student Services
Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:
School counseling curriculum
This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level. Lessons are taught to every classroom K-5th grade, about once per month. These lessons include conflict resolution, social skills, problem solving, goal setting, career exploration, classroom skills, self regulation, etc... Extra lessons may be taught to classes at teacher request. Small group lessons are taught to students referred for further support in these areas.
Individual student planning
School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
Responsive services
Responsive services are activities designed to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns. Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response. The goal is to help students to be successful in the classroom. Interventions are brief solution-focused interventions in which students are encouraged to come up with their own methods for solving their problems. Ongoing therapy is not provided. If additional support is needed, students may be referred to the Family Services Team or an outside provider.
Indirect Student Services
Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.
ASCA use of time recommendations for elementary school counselors
Direct Services 80%:
School counseling curriculum 45%
Individual student planning 5%
Responsive services 30%
Indirect Services:
System Support 20%