Guidance Counseling Program 
The Role of the Professional School Counselor
The
professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained
in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address
all students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs.
Professional school counselors implement a comprehensive school
counseling program that promotes and enhances student achievement.
Professional school counselors are employed in elementary,
middle/junior high and high schools and in district supervisory,
counselor education and post-secondary settings. Their work is
differentiated by attention to developmental stages of student growth,
including the needs, tasks and student interests related to those
stages.
Individual and Group Counseling
Students
meet individually or in small groups to express their concerns so they
are better able to understand themselves and others. Parental
permission is required after the student's first visit.
Curriculum Based Guidance Lessons
Classroom
lessons are created to promote academic, personal/social, and career
growth by focusing on character development and self-awareness.
The counselor coordinates with:
Teachers
to evaluate behaviors and individual needs of students and provide suggestions for behavior management.
Parents
to
promote greater understanding of effective parenting skills and provide
guidance in seeking support services for their children when needed.
Administration
to support programs that provide the most effective learning environment for our students.
Specialists and Community Agencies
to work in partnership with outside resources to meet the needs of the students in order to maximize his/her academic potential.
Benefits of Guidance Counseling
Helps students to
- be successful in school
- adjust to a new school
- have positive feelings toward self and others
- develop skills in communication, understanding and self-awareness
- be responsible
Helps parents to
- understand their child's progress in school
- select strategies to motivate their child
- develop realistic goals with their child
- become actively involved in their child's school life
Helps teachers and administrators to
- understand and meet individual student needs
- seek special help for students
- plan and teach unity on guidance related topics