Barbara Payne, M.Ed.
I am so excited to start my sixth year as Rancho Sienna Elementary's school counselor. This is my 11th year as school counselor and my 34th year in education. After 23 years as a classroom teacher, I followed my heart and earned my M.Ed. from Dallas Baptist University. My heart is in helping others and as a school counselor, I am able to support students, families, faculty, and our community.
The Role of a School Counselor
School counselors are certified and licensed educators who improve student success for all students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School counselors are vital members of the educational team and help to maximize student success. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring that today's students become productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors help students apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions, apply interpersonal skills, and explore college and career readiness.
The four components of a comprehensive school counseling program are:
Responsive services - offer support to students in crisis, working with families as warranted
Curriculum - guiding students to realize their educational potential through tier 1 support (ie classroom lessons)
System Support - coordinating with others in the broad network of interrelated services offered in the school, district, and community to ensure that students' needs are met
Individual Planning - achieved by working with others to guide students to reach educational, career, personal, and social success
Adapted from the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling