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What's a School Counselor

What is a School Counselor? What does a School Counselor do? How can a School Counselor reach all students and enhance their educational experience?

These are all common questions that parents, teachers, and students ask. The role of the School Counselor is a position that has changed dramatically over recent years. Gone are the days of "guidance counselors" sitting in their office, simply handing out college applications, making schedule changes for students who want to drop a class, or meeting with the "troublemakers" in the school. Today's School Counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the area of academic achievement, personal/social and career development, ensuring that today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

Elementary School Counselors Help Our Children Find Success in School by...

- Helping students develop positive attitudes toward self, family, and community.

- Providing individual and group counseling to students to help foster growth in personal, social, and academic areas.

- Developing and delivering classroom guidance lessons that address skills including, but not limited to, conflict resolution, respect for self and others, self-confidence, and career exploration.

- Working collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to identify and remove barriers that may impede student achievement.

- Advocating for all students needs.

Elementary School Counselors Believe...

- Children have dignity and worth as human beings.

- Children learn best when they feel good about themselves and their relationships with others.

- Children who understand their feelings are better able to control their behavior.

- Children are capable of making responsible choices.

- Attitudes formed during elementary school shape future attitudes toward learning, self, and society.

Elementary School Counselors Help...

- Children develop a better understanding of themselves.

- Children cope with family changes, such as divorce and loss.

- Children develop decision-making and problem-solving skills.

- Children cope with their emotions in a healthy and appropriate way.

- Parents better understand their children's behaviors and emotions.

- School staff and teachers understand and meet the needs of students in personal, social, and emotional areas.