Analysis Of The Administration And Counseling Department At Santa Susan High School

In order to provide a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) that meets the unique needs of Ocean Elementary School, the school counselor must understand the needs of the school. Therefore, conducting a needs assessment can help a new school counselor to evaluate the CSCP in order to plan, implement, and improve the effectiveness of the program (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Additionally, utilizing the accountability bridge counseling program evaluation model, a continuous evaluation cycle helps to improve services based on stakeholder feedback, the needs of those served, and outcomes (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Within this model, a needs assessment must be conducted in order to plan and develop services that address the needs of the students (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Thus, by utilizing assessment questionnaires, the school counselor can gather information from the diverse population of students, parents, teachers, and administrator to determine how the CSCP can best support all students’ needs (American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2012). Additionally, the use of other data, such as observations, standardized test scores, absentee rates, and student referrals can support the feedback received on the questionnaires. Based on the data, the school counselor can evaluate the school counseling program in order to improve the program in the domain areas of academic, social/emotional, and career development. Thus, within the accountability bridge counseling

Working in various school settings, I have been exposed to merely a glimpse of the future in which I pursue. I believe that this passion is driven by looking at my own school counselors when I was younger and realizing how great of an impact they have had on my life. From the counselors in elementary school that have helped me resolve issues with other children over a stolen crayon, to my counselors that pushed me over my limits at Rutgers University, I have become more aware of the positive impacts they have had on my life. I only aspire to be as great of a counselor to others, as they have been for me. This program embodies major values that I possess and would want to expand on in order to support the youth. Through the counseling program, I hope to gain more experience about how to help individuals in various topics such as academic support, self-development, and building relationships with these young

As a teacher, I have observed several types of conflict involving students, teachers, parents, and staff. In many situations, the result have not been positive and relationships damaged due to the inability to handle conflicts in a more positive and restorative way, which is something that DTR and Restorative Justice greatly offer. By working on the issue with the goal to make things as right as possible, relationship, trust, order, integrity, dignity, accountability, and hope are restored, and the parts involved grow and learn with the experience.

In schools all over the world today, School Counselors are crucial to assisting students, parents, school administrations, and the community. I believe that creating an effective counseling program that supports the counselors’ role in education will foster a close interaction between students and counselor to achieve success in their personal/social lives, academic achievements, and college readiness careers.

There has been variety of conflict resolution and peer mediation training programs. These programs could a social science theory or an atheoretical. Conflict resolution programs are being put into schools. This program is to teach students a variety of social skills. The atheoretical strategy is helpful in the short run, but it is not widely adopted.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is the division of the American Counseling Association (ACA) that supports the development of professional school counselors. It published the ASCA National Model (2012), which provides a framework for a comprehensive school counseling program that includes four quadrants: Foundation, Delivery, Management, and Accountability. The National Model also offers a detailed account of the role, function, and competencies of professional school counselors. It specifically addresses how the proper use of professional school counselors and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program can enhance the education of the whole student at the elementary, middle, or high school level (ASCA,

"The mission of school counseling is to provide a developmental and systematic comprehensive program that ensures academic, personal, social, and career development and achievement for all students," as such contemporary counselors have a lot on their plates (Rogers et al. 2011 p 8). Whereas counseling services were once thought of as necessary outside of vocational counseling, today's educational environments posit that counseling services are crucial to the academic, personal, and career success of today's students. Thus, the Miami-Dade and Hillsborough County School Districts have placed great importance on the role of the counselor, but there is still room for improvement in order to get to that ideal atmosphere where counselors can best help direct the lives of their students.

When I was in fifth grade, my teacher informed me of an exciting opportunity. I had been selected to act as a peer mediator in my school guidance counselor’s office! I was thrilled at the prospect. The school counselor would guide me in the best ways to deal with student conflict. It was at this point I knew I would be well-suited for this sort of task. Though my undergraduate education was achieved in Aiken, South Carolina, I am called across the Savannah River to achieve a Master’s degree in the counselor education program. This is an important goal to me because working in an educational setting has always appealed to me. I also possess the ability to listen without judgment, positivity, and empathy towards others. These traits will benefit me in this line of work. I also recognize the challenges that this profession will bring. Addressing personal issues that might hinder client relationships will be made possible after receiving counseling education from Augusta University. It is important for me to become sensitive to diverse types of students. I must also prepare for the unpredictability of the job. My goal is to become educated at Augusta University in order to positively impact the lives of students as a school counselor.

Focus: Santonias and family will learn, practice and utilize problem solving and conflict resolution skills. Ms. Smalls (MHP) and Ms. Givens (MHS) discuss Santonias’s recent incident.

According to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), the “purpose of the school counseling program is to impart specific skills and learning opportunities in a proactive, preventive manner, ensuring all students can achieve school success through academic, career, and personal/social development experiences” (Oberman & Studer, 2011, p. 1). The ASCA National Model is used by school counselors to show devotion to student success (ASCA, n.d.-c, p. 1). The four components of the ASCA National Model are foundation, delivery, management, and accountability (ASCA, n.d.-c, p. 1).

A school counselor’s role is vital in many schools across America. Many students see their counselor, to work on any emotional stressors, academic changes and challenges. This may include, interventions, group therapy and changes in class schedule, but sometimes with all the implementations given, students do not succeed in school. Perhaps one needs to take a closer look at the programs being implemented and its success rate. In addition, a counselor should guide itself using the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) to provide evidence based practices in schools.

This quarter’s course of “theories of counseling” felt like a whirlwind of theories, theorist, therapeutic techniques, and proper application of theoretical framework to help counsel students. As the course continued each new theory and therapy style I learned about seemed more appealing and useful than the last. In deciding which therapy styles I would favor using I have to take into account the general demographic of the students and communities I wish to work in. I plan to work with middle school to high school students that are from urban low social economic status and are recent arrivals to the country. Some of the characteristics of obstacles these students and families face daily are, single parent home/income, past/recent trauma, history of low family education level and legal trouble. I am fortunate to live in the community and society I want to help and that I have grown up in. I am equally blessed to be raised and have the opportunity to give back to my community and society the best way I know how by giving back in a positive manner.

In conclusion of this class, there are certain things that I found appealing and unappealing about the school counseling

The conflict in the classroom was between Teresa and Megan. To resolve the conflict I would bring the two students together and have them work cooperatively on the issue with my guidance. I would want both students to feel free to speak their mind, feel listened to, and feel that they are an important part of the solution. I would want them to understand that they both need to be respectful, listen to each other, and try to understand the others’ point of view. As part of the process I would also expect them to work together to come to an agreement they both feel good about. I would not use peer mediation methods in a fourth grade class.

These measures and strategies will provide students and others the opportunities to learn skills of conflict resolution and reduction. Guidance Counsellors are able to assist in the planning, implementing and coordinating of orientation designed to