As a school counselor, I abide by the ethical standards as established by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). I strive to be a bridge between students, teachers/staff, and administrators by valuing and encouraging parent/caregiver and community input, and using every opportunity to discuss academic, personal/social, and career development with students. I believe that every moment is an opportunity to grow and learn.

In my practice as a school counselor, I view my counseling services as:

• Strengths-based, which means my role is to promote and advocate bringing students' strengths (as opposed to their weaknesses) to the forefront of conversation, planning, and decision making,

• Embracing all students' and families' ethnic, cultural, racial, sexual, spiritual, and special differences/needs,

• Preventative and responsive, meaning that I will conduct classroom guidance and run counseling groups, teaching preventative skills necessary for students to face common challenges, as well as counsel students in response to immediate concerns, and

• Systemic, meaning that I view students as being interconnected and interdependent people, where each aspect of their lives (family, friends, spirituality, school, culture, extracurricular activities, etc.) mutually influences each other.

I also believe that all students...

• Can develop the skills necessary for academic success, personal growth, positive interpersonal relationships, career development, and healthy choices,

• Have different strengths, learning strategies, interests, and goals; these differences are recognized as contributions and assets to the academic environment,

• Are resilient and able to succeed and transform despite risks that might be against them,

• Have the ability to achieve,

• Are responsible for their actions, attitudes, and choices,

• Are forward thinking, and

• Have the right to equitable treatment and access to opportunities and support systems.