School Counselor Analysis

I have been at my site for about seven almost eight weeks now and I cannot believe we are already half way done with the semester. It has been a great journey thus far and I hope to learn more in the second half of my journey. Since this is my half way point I want to mention that everything seems to be so much more comfortable, but not necessarily easier yet. I think being a good counselor takes many years and much more reflection on a daily basis. I also feel like I am learning new things every day as a trainee and that I am working on what it really means to be a counselor each day. Finding my identity as a counselor is a big part of this process and I feel as though it is always changing and transforming into a better self each day. I like

In the lives of counselor’s assessment plays a great role. Assessments are what shows the counselor what it is that their client is in need of help in. Like our book states, assessment is a complex, problem solving process that allows us to collect information in order to better serve our client (Drummond, Sheperis, & Jones, 2016). I was not aware of how involved counselors are in the testing process until I began this class. I now see that assessments also helps the client understand their own problems as well, it is just up to us to help them interpret the assessment.

It takes a special person to become a school counselor and in doing so it is important to take those life skills, knowledge, dispositions, and background experiences to help along the way. In the counseling field there are some guidelines and theories that will help, but nothing that prepares you for what may happen at any moment or any time during the day. It is clear that life definitely throws some unexpected curve balls and that is the same for situations in the field of school counseling. You never know what situation you will run into and in order to dodge those curve balls it is those life experiences that often time influence the direction in which we take both personally and professionally. It is important to compile all the knowledge and experiences that we have gained throughout life and apply them in a way that will help others to be successful. It is key to reflect on the past and those skills that I have that will lead me to become an effective professional school counselors.

We learned the importance and how to manage our counseling program using data collection, assessments and reporting tools (AR1.2). Finally, the Accountability System includes results reports, impact over time, and performance standards. Data analysis, program results, and evaluation and improvement are all a focus for this component. This component helps the counselors justify programs of change to assistance student achievement. The ASCA National Model School supports the counselor in the implementation of the comprehensive program.

For this assignment I reached out to an instructor at Lakeland College who is also a professional school counselor named Wendy Falk. Wendy was happy to complete an interview with me and provided information about herself including what assessments she uses, her theoretical orientation, and why these assessments are used. Wendy also spoke about her school counseling position, a difficult case she was presented with, and her opinion on the use of assessments. Additional research was conducted to learn more about the assessments she discussed.

Accountability: School counselors, should comprehend, have the capability, expertise, and possess the knowledge, abilities, skills, and boldness attitude needed to observe and assess the progressions and outcomes of a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA National Model (ASCA, 2012). School counselors should be able to demonstrate an understanding of what the counseling program needs and create activities that align to the ASCA National Model to meet the needs of their

Although it is vital to continue to conduct research on the development of professional school counselors, researchers must also allocate attention to explore what resources are needed to educate and train a school counselor director to the standards set forth by ASCA and to determine whether opportunities currently exist to receive this education and training.

The role of a school counselor is an intriguing one because they do not work with a specific type of client. While they will always be working with young children or teenagers, the problems their clients come to them with can be so different from client to client. One session might be dealing with questions about career choices. Another might be about dealing with bullying. Some days a school counselor may even have to be there for a child who was a victim of sexual or physical abuse. It is because of this wide range of demands that a school counselor should be well-versed in many types of counseling theories.

A school counselor should have goals of being a leader in educational reform, being visible on school teams, and serving as a student and system advocate. School Counselors should provide a bridge between students, teachers, and

school counselors assigned to that specific school. The meeting will address the purpose of the study and the floor will be open to any questions the employees of the school may have regarding the study. This process will continue until the research team has been given permission by 24 high schools (8 in each socioeconomic area) to ask their students to participate in the study.

School counselors use data to, “identify school counseling program goals; monitor student progress to close the achievement gap; assess and evaluate programs; demonstrate school counseling program effectiveness (Young, 2013).” The purpose of assessments are to identify and plan school counseling programs that align with the mission of schools. School counselors assist students individually to help with academic, personal/social or career concerns. One helps student establish goals as well as develop plans. School counselors conduct informal assessments by interviewing students to obtain information about their current problem or situation.

With the diversifying population in America’s schools, a profession school counselor should be culturally competent to meet the needs of all students. “The transformed professional school counselor is culturally competent, respectful of human diversity, and a school leader in ensuring that oppressive systemic barriers to academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social development are removed (Erford, 2015, p. 173).” A school counselor needs to have a deep understanding of a variety of cultures to meet the personal, emotional, developmental needs of a student using individual and group interventions while being aware of their cultural and spiritual needs.

This week I had the opportunity to fulfill my practicum hours at two different locations. The locations that I observed were Columbia Elementary School’s summer care program and a Mad City Money Event located at Members 1st Credit Union. Both experiences opened my eyes to see a wide range of situations and behaviors among kindergarten through high school. Each observation provided two very different outlooks and each contributed to my knowledge in some way.

Serving students with different backgrounds, personalities, or beliefs may not be the easiest thing to do, as their thought process may differ. Therefore, it is essential for school counselors to find healthy ways to build on a school counselor-student relationship. There are several characteristics or behaviors that I feel school counselors should have, that helps them maintain a relationship with their students. Students can be more willing to open-up their thoughts or accept suggestions when the school counselor is a good listener. A lot of the times, we can think that we have to do all the talking, but is necessary to step back and listen at the students first. Also, school counselors must be friendly and easy to approach. Students can feel more comfortable with individuals they like and accept. In addition, it is essential for all school counselors to appreciate diversity. It is important for school counselors to

School counselors help students in setting up their career path to college, ensuring that student achieves academic success and maintain a positive personal/social behavior during their educational years. As stated in The role of the professional school counselor, (ASCA, 2009b), through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. For this reason, counselors help students become proactive and judicious grown-ups for their future. “The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs....unites counselors with one vision and one voice, which creates unity and focus toward improving student achievement” (ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling programs, para. 1). This program was designed for school counselors to promote student success in their academics, emotional and social life.