What is a school counselor?
Professional school counselors are licensed educators with a minimum of a master's degree in school counseling. They are uniquely qualified to address all students' academic, career and social/emotional needs in a developmentally appropriate manner.
What does a school counselor do?
Direct Services
- Guidance Curriculum: Classroom guidance lessons instruct our students on lessons that involve academic, career, and social/emotional topics.
- Responsive Services: Individual counseling, small group counseling, and crisis counseling.
- Individual Planning: This includes helping students to establish goals and work toward the future.
Indirect Services- System Support: Administrative duties that establish, maintain, and enhance a successful school counseling program
- Referrals: Directing students and families to school or community resources
- Consultation: Sharing strategies to support student achievement
- Collaboration: Partnering with families, staff, and community organizations; serving on school or district committees; organizing informational workshops for families
School counselors' duties are focused on the overall delivery of the program through direct services. A small amount of their time is devoted to indirect services (system support). For more information regarding school counselors, check out the American School Counseling Association's explanation!