The school counselor wears many hats. They serve to help remove barriers for students to help support them academically. Each year, the counselor works with administration and uses data to drive the upcoming school year programs. The school counselor delivers classroom lessons, individual counseling (not on going), provides small group counseling, responsive services, makes referrals to outside agencies and crisis interventions. In addition, the school counselors work with parents, teachers, and students to help make their year successful.

The counselor does not handle discipline or give consequences for student behavior. Students should not view coming to see the counselor as a negative experience. If a student receives discipline from an administrator, the counselor will see the student within a few days as a follow up. It is not to reinforce the consequence, but to talk about what happened and help brainstorm ways to handle similar situations in a more positive manner.

Students can fill out a form (given to them by their teacher) and place it in my mailbox in the main office. Often times though, students are seen due to parent or teacher referral. Other times, students with quick questions will come by and see me during arrival and dismissal each day.

Parents are not automatically notified if their student comes to see the counselor. If the student starts being seen on a regular basis, parents will be notified. School counselors, while qualified, are not meant to be used as on going therapists for students. If I feel that a student can benefit from outside counseling, I will notify parents and help support them with community resources. Confidentiality is an important part of the counselor/ student relationship, which I hold in high regards. I usually ask for student permission before sharing with parents. However, if a student is a danger to themselves or others, parents are always notified immediately.

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of the school counseling profession. In order to be someone who the child feels comfortable with, it is important to safeguard their information. I only share information with teachers and parents with student permission. If a student is a danger to themselves or others, parents are notified immediately, regardless if the student wants that information shared.

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.