Traditional Advisory Program

Certainly, school counselors are in an ideal position in terms of access to, and identification of, students in need. Despite, job descriptions, duties and responsibilities, and large student to school counselor rate limit the amount of time school counselor can give to student with ongoing mental health needs (Brown et al., 2009). The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has long advocate for the elimination of non-counseling duties such as plan testing programs, writing excuses for students who are absent or tardy, teaching classes when teachers are absent, and providing long-term therapy for students with psychological disorders (ASCA). A designation of time for school counselors to provide appropriate activities related to responsive

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

His main roles are working with students who are a part of the advanced placement program; he is also responsible for working with students that are a part of the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) educational program. These two programs have a rigorous curriculum; the AVID program consists of students that are enrolled in a rigorous course of study that will enable them to meet requirements for university enrollment. Besides these two programs Mr. Ryland is also in charge of the comprehensive competency-based guidance program, which provides students with a developmental and proactive guidance program. According to Ryland “the competency-based guidance program is to offer a system intended to assist all students with the development of their educational goals, personal goals, and even career goals” (2015). Mr. Ryland has worked hard for the position he holds as the head school counselor. While interviewing Mr. Ryland, this learner asked him about his professional development. Mr. Ryland began to discuss how “professional development is about the knowledge and skills a counselor gains to promote their job development” (2015). He says that promoting job development entails, attending conferences or training sessions. Professionals who seek personal development are the ones who desire for a long lasting career and personal growth in the counseling field. These individuals are often the ones who have an exceptional drive for the counseling field, and

School counseling programs are designed to serve the school as a whole. They serve the students as counselors, act as consultants to teachers, parents and administrators and coordinate activities to implement the developmental guidance program. However, in order to have an effective program they need to instill the qualities of Lencioni’s model into their interaction with the individuals they serve.

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.

I am interested in working with elementary or high school students. Working with these students in the school setting, I will be giving the chance to advocate and work with them and other organizations to assist in achieving a positive outlook on social, academic, personal and career development. Consulting and collaborating with parents, teachers, school administrators, medical professors, and other professionals in the medical and counseling field will also contribute to increasing my knowledge in staying with the counseling trends and strategies that will affect the development of students.

School counselors collaborate with other school personnel such as teachers who will help implement guidance lessons in the classroom. As a school counselor it is important to keep the teachers motivated to help implement these programs. Resource teachers typically work the special education students, collaborating with resource teachers ensures that all students are included in the comprehensive program. The resource teacher can help provide alternative to working with students in an inclusive manner. The principles and assistance principles of the school typically serve on the advisory committee, they provide resources to the program, and help communicate the important of the counseling program. School psychologist are there to assist with mental health services, doing assessments, and working with the school counselor during crisis situations. School nurses provide health services to the students. They monitor student medications and note changes in students behavior or effectiveness of the medication. Secretaries are equally important in the collaborative model. Secretaries are typically the first person a parent will come in contact with when entering the school. They are the ones that create that first impression (Erford, 2015). Community agencies can provide additional support to students outside of

My pursuit of becoming a School Counselor led me to apply to the School Counseling Master’s Program at University of Maryland, College Park. I am a former student at University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. After graduating and teaching for two years in Prince George’s County Public Schools, I discovered my true passion lies not only in the classroom and students’ academics, but playing a pivotal role in the growth of their career, social, and personal development. Although I am no longer teaching full-time at the moment, my interaction with students from diverse backgrounds left an indelible responsibility to continue making a difference in our students. The objectives and mission of the School Counseling Master’s Program at University of Maryland can best help my goal of becoming an effective counselor and leader who is an agent of change to students and service the mental and emotional well-being of the younger generation.

Advisory is unproductive and often causes students to overlook the time as a study hall and a waste. After interviewing a few teachers, a majority have a negative disposition towards advisory itself as they were all homeroom teachers. Teachers felt that sometimes it is difficult for a student or two to command a classroom effectively and that the advisory program fell pray to college resume padding. In our experiences sometimes the advisors are unprepared, enthusiastic or even not present sometimes resulting in teachers having to deal with the responsibilities of the student advisor. This along with the irrelevent topics such as designing a hero in which a teacher said was productive while others say it was not genuine to the objectives stated in their mission statement as well as an underwhelming amount of content. This along with the time of advisory itself is often an hindrance.

The goal of a school counseling program to help all students reach academic success by providing supportive services that addresses issues or concerns comprising of academic, career and social/personal development. School counselors are not only concerned with students who are succeeding and motivated to learn, they also aim at encouraging students who are at risk of failing or dropping out of school to continue striving for success and setting goals that encourage productive citizens in communities. In order to create a comprehensive school counseling program, one must first recognize their own assumptions, perceptions and stereotypes regarding students’ behaviors, values and beliefs. One should also have a willingness to accept and understand

Providing a safe and secure environment enables students to explore and participate in learning. Students will volunteer answers and ask questions when they feel safe. When students feel safe they are more willing to talk about themselves to others and the teacher. Establish relationships with your students and build a sense of community within your classroom. Students need to get to know each other as well as experience the “human” side of their teacher. This will allow for a safe and trusting classroom environment.

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.

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.

Lockhart, Estes J. & Keys, Susan G. (1998). The mental health counseling role of school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 1(4), Retrieved from PsychInfo. ‘

Looking back, I now have higher expectations about the duties of a school counselor and acknowledge the areas in which the counseling department at my school lacked. Most notably being that I was never given any traditional form of counseling. Unfortunately, I think this is due to the this growing field having not yet obtained its identity of a counseling emphasis. I knew that I could go to my counselor for academic advisement, I was sure that I would get more assistance if I struggled with my classes, but I do not believe that my counselor took an active approach of inquiring about mental health. Instead the counseling department seemed focused on student’s only when grades were down.