According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), school counselors are certified/licensed educators with a minimum of a master's degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success (2019).
Students’ unmet mental health needs pose barriers to learning and development. Because of school counselors’ training and position, they are uniquely qualified to provide education, prevention, intervention and referral services to students and their families. Although school counselors do not provide long-term mental health therapy in schools, they provide a school counseling program designed to meet the developmental needs of all students. As a component of this program, school counselors collaborate with other educational professionals and community service providers.
Individual Student Planning
Intrapersonal Effectiveness
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Personal Health & Safety
Post Secondary Planning & Career Readiness
Mrs. Flores has been an educator for 14 years, 13 in Merkel ISD. She holds a Bachelor of Behavioral Science degree from Hardin-Simmons University and a Master of Education in School Counseling from Lamar University.