The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) empowers school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community and the world. The mission of ASCA is to represent school counselors and to promote professionalism and ethical practices.

As school counselors, our mission is to help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

School counselors accomplish this mission through a focus on five delivery systems: (a) Guidance Curriculum, (b) Individual Student, (c) Planning, (d) Response Services, (e) Systems Support .

Role and Philosophy.

The specific role of a middle school school counselor is to move obstacles out of the way of students in the academic setting. This is done through developing a comprehensive counseling plan to help all students achieve success. Specifically, school counselors will spend their time working in responsive and direct services. We are tasked with working with students in both group and individual counseling on various issues such as academic planning, social interactions, etc. It is our job to determine which students benefit from each. We also have a responsibility to keep parents and the community informed. This can be done through holding informational meetings and sending updates home. We also have to be advocates for our position. Therefore, in the school counselor role, we must develop a comprehensive plan to target all students, work within our school and our community, and be advocates for our work.

School Counselors can provide:

• Short-term individual counseling

• Small group counseling

• Classroom counseling lessons

• Crisis intervention

• Consultation with parents and teachers

• Coordination with outside agencies and therapists

• Referrals for community services

• School supplies

How can students and parents connect with the school counselor?

• Self-referral

• Request of a counselor

• Parent referral

• Administrative referral

• Teacher or other staff referral

• Referral by friend(s)

You can find out more about how ASCA outlines the School Counselor's Role below:

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/administrators/role-of-the-school-counselor.aspx