These are the four main aspects of your job as an after school counselor. These are things you are expected to do every day you work:
Enforce the rules set forth by the program at all times
Assist students with their homework
Walk students to and from carpool and/or lessons
Play with students on the playground and during activity times
Assist the class leader as needed and follow through on their instructions
For the time they are in your care, students will likely see you as an older sibling. It is important to remember that you are also their authority.
Physical needs should always be addressed as soon as possible. Physical needs may include:
Needing to use the restroom
Hunger and Thirst - They are always allowed to get water but we do not provide snacks for anyone who didn't bring one.
Illness or Injury
Overheating
Fatigue - Students are allowed to put their head down after finishing their homework or to sit on the benches during playground time.
Emotional and mental needs take time to work through. Many of these things will arise as you develop a closer relationship with students throughout the year. Not all of these things are within our ability to fix - as a counselor your job is to be available to listen, remind students they are in a safe space and can share what's on their mind, and encourage them with love. Emotional and mental issues may include:
Problems in their home life
Problems with friends at or away from school
Discouragement
Self-Worth issues
Disappointment
Spiritual needs may be prompted by the devotion curriculum. Students may have questions after hearing from God's Word and addressing these needs gives us an opportunity to speak the truth in love. When addressing spiritual needs, it is important to focus only on what we know and to leave the peripheral topics up to the Holy Spirit who will work it out in their heart (Politics, Current Events, etc.). Spiritual needs often come in the form of questions like the following:
How can I know God is real?
What do I do to be saved?
Why does God allow bad things to happen?
How can I know the Bible is true?
What does it mean to be a Christian?
What does God want me to do in _________ situation?
When addressing any kind of need, it is important to remember the following:
Make sure you are listening with an open mind and heart.
Avoid judgement.
Ask clarifying questions.
Make sure you fully understand what the student is saying.
Don't debate - share the truth in love and allow God to soften their heart.
Use God's Word as your answer.
Don't step out of your boundaries - you are not a licensed therapist.
Make sure they know they are never alone.
If you don't know the answer, be honest with them. Ask the Director or Coordinators, look up answers in the Bible, and remind them that sometimes, God leaves our questions to be answered in Heaven.
Except for cases when the student or someone else is in danger, keep conversations private. If another staff member needs to know, share the minimum details with them. Other students should never be told or allowed to overhear details from counseling.
If the following issues arise during your conversation with a student, you should tell the Director:
Abortion
Abuse
Bullying
Criminal Activity
Cutting or Self-Mutilation
Depression
Drugs or Alcohol
Eating Disorders
Gender Dysphoria
Pornography
Promiscuity
Racism
Same sex attraction
Suicidal tendencies
Teen Pregnancy
Anything else that sounds like a red-flag behavior or experience
Counselors should never be alone with a student in the bathroom.
Students may use the restrooms in Building 1 or the Atrium by themselves.
If taking a group of students to the bathroom, prop the door open and stand outside in the hallway.
Take note of certain students that should not be in the bathroom at the same time.
If need arises, there are feminine products available in the women’s administrative restrooms.
Below is a sample schedule for each group. This schedule remains flexible to accommodate for inclement weather, student behavior, and special events.
TK-2nd Grade
Pick Up and Snack, 3:00-3:15pm
Outside Time, 3:15-3:45pm
Homework Time, 3:45-4:15pm
Activity Time, 4:15-4:45pm
Our Tk-2nd graders will have activities based around a monthly Biblical theme like Generosity or Love.
Monday is Bible Story, Tuesday is Book/Craft, Wednesday is Screen Time and R.O.A.R. Store, Thursday is Sensory, Friday is Free Play/Pretend.
Clean Up and Transition, 4:45-5:00pm
Rides Out Games - Combined Groups, 5:00-6:00pm
3rd-6th Grade
Pick Up and Snack, 3:00-3:15pm
Homework Time, 3:15-3:45pm
Outside Time, 3:45-4:15pm
Activity Time, 4:15-4:45pm
Our 3rd-6th graders will be going through the Old Testament in a year via the Bible Project and will have additional activities suited to their interests including trivia, board game tournaments, creative challenges, etc.
Clean Up and Transition, 4:45-5:00pm
Rides Out Games - Combined Groups, 5:00-6:00pm
TK-2nd Grade has two primary incentives:
Punch Cards - Students can earn punches for outstanding behavior. 20 punches completes the card and the student gets to choose their favorite king-sized candy bar as a reward.
Dojo Points - Students can earn points individually and as a table for following directions, staying silent during homework time, pushing in chairs, keeping their area clean, and general acts of kindness or responsibility. They can choose to "spend" their points at the R.O.A.R. Store for prizes.
Counselors may award or take away points as they see fit. Doing so will help the students understand that you are also an authority figure in the program.
Infrequently we will use candy as a reward system for winning a game or participating well in an activity.
3rd-6th Grade - To Be Determined
Play to the level of the students. Play at 25-50% of your normal level to ensure no one is injured.
Make sure that everyone is following the rules. No one has fun when winning doesn't mean anything.
You must continue excellent supervision as you play with students.
If something breaks during your activity, tell the Director or Coordinators as soon as possible.
If a material or supply runs out during your activity, tell the After School Coordinator as soon as possible.
The main responsibility of a counselor is to care for the safety and well-being of all students. This starts with appropriate supervision.
Counselors should never be alone 1 on 1 with a student unless walking them to carpool or a lesson. This ensures accountability is maintained for both our staff and our participants.
Students should NEVER by by themselves in any area other than the bathroom.
6. Supervision is maintained by your commitment to the following:
Avoiding distractions - keep your eyes off your phone and on the students.
Proximity - stay amongst the students, not isolated in the corner.
Awareness - position yourself in such a way to see all students at once.
Alertness - listen for what students are saying and be aware of potential negative conversations that could erupt into something more.
Action - step in to situations that are progressing towards negative behavior; be quick to shut down bullying and negative talk.