310 Milwaukee Blvd.

Pacific, WA 98047

Email: llcampbell@auburn.wednet.edu

Phone: 253.931.4976

Fax: 253.931.4720

What Does a School Counselor Do?

The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face. Elementary school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes ongoing professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.

School Counselors:

Promote positive attitudes among students toward self, family, peers, and community.

Assisting students in learning how school performance relates to future opportunities.

Develop and deliver classroom guidance lessons that teach skills such as healthy decision making, resolving conflicts, and respecting others.

Work collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to identify and remove barriers from learning.

Support students by teaching skills for achieving success.

Help students to recognize and make the best of their abilities.

Provide support during a crisis.

Greet and help new students.

American School Counselor Association

School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:

Direct Student Services - With Students: Direct services are face-to-face or virtual interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:

Instruction: Teaching the school counseling curriculum to students focused through the lens of the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors to help all students maximize their potential by enhancing academics, career and social/emotional development and improving outcomes of achievement, attendance and discipline; many occur in classrooms, large and small groups, or individually.

Assessing and Advisement: Helping students understand their abilities, values and career interests and attain the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success; often results in students establishing personal goals and developing future plans; may occur with individual students, small groups and in classroom settings.

Counseling: Providing professional assistance and support to a student or small group of students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success. This is short term and based on counseling theories and techniques effective in a school setting. School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools. However, school counselors are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and assist students and families seeking resources.

Indirect Student Services - For Students: Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including:

Referrals: Support for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information

Consultation: Share strategies supporting student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations

Collaboration: Work with other educators, parents and the community to support student achievement