National School Counselor Week
A Highlight of What I Do
National Counselor Week
Why I Became a School Counselor...
I accepted a seventh grade position at Discovery for two years because I felt a traditional background would help me as a counselor. I needed to see what a teacher goes through so that I could better serve a faculty. When I completed my internship last year with Joy I knew I had found the place I wanted to be. In fact, I didn't apply to any other schools. If I couldn't be at Madison Elementary, then I felt it wasn't my time to be a counselor just yet. Fortunately I was offered the position, and I haven't regretted my decision for a moment.
When I announced to my family I had accepted this position, they asked me if I was going into early retirement (they do not have a very high opinion of school counselors). My mother-in-law, sister-in-law, two grandmother-in-laws, and an aunt-in-law are teachers. This year has partly been me trying to prove the importance of an effective counseling program. I think I have been able to sway their opinions just a bit!
Facts about School Counselors
- The correct title for us is "School Counselor." Why? Because the title "Guidance Counselor" is very outdated. It was given to those who were focused on class selection and college/career preparation. Counselors are trained and educated in so much more. We are skilled in counseling strategies and are focused on all students' social and emotional growth. Our roles have evolved enormously. We counsel, we teach, we advocate.
- School Counselors have national standards to teach too! Our standards come from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. The standards we teach fall into three main categories: personal/social, academic, and career. We can serve students in grades K-12.
- School Counselors follow ethical guidelines in all the work we do. One of the biggest ethical considerations we must abide by is confidentiality. We must respect the privacy of the students and families we serve, while sharing what others "need to know" in order to best help our students. It is always a delicate line to walk!