Why School Counselors?
The school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success. The professional school counselor holds a master’s degree in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes ongoing professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students.
Students’ Developmental Needs
The school years are an important time when children begin to develop their academic self-concept, their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Comprehensive school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these years serve as the foundation for future success.
School Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing:
School Guidance Curriculum
Academic support, including organizational, study and test-taking skills
Goal setting and decision-making
Career awareness, exploration and planning
Education on understanding self and others
Peer relationships, coping strategies and effective social skills
Communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution
Individual Student Planning
Academic planning
Goal setting/decision- making
Education on understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
Transition plans
Responsive Services
Individual and small-group counseling
Individual/family/school crisis intervention
Conflict resolution
Consultation/collaboration
Referrals
System Support
Professional development
Consultation, collaboration and teaming
Program management and operation
School Counselors Collaborate with:
Parents
Parent education
Communication/networking
Academic planning and support
Career awareness programs
Conferencing with parents and teachers
Classroom guidance activities
Classroom speakers
RTI/PBIS - At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
Administrators
Staff on behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessments
Student data and results
Peer education
Peer support
School climate
Community
Crisis interventions
Referrals
Support groups
Career education
**These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive