Why do students need a School Counselor?

“Advisor, advocate, agent, believer, collaborator, conductor, consultant, coordinator, diplomat, educator, enthusiast, expert, explorer, guide, initiator, leader, listener, mediator, mentor, navigator, negotiator, observer, pedagogue, professional, psychologist, researcher, specialist, supporter, teacher" Those are a few things I am. 

 

Counselor

Counselors help students identify their abilities, capacities, and interests, preventing dropout. The counselor may also act as a coordinator who advises students about their career and decisions. In doing so, counselors may help students prepare for higher education and college admissions. 

 

Mediator

There can be many tricky situations within the school setting, and the counselor may act as an advocate who guides and negotiates by diplomatic means. For example, a student may feel that they are being treated unfairly by their teacher. The counselor may also act as a mediator between students who have just had a physical altercation. 

 

Social skills teacher

In teaching social skills, a counselor can act as a researcher, specialist, expert, leader, and consultant. The counselor must first seek a research-based social skills curriculum suited for their school demographic,

deliver the content, and assist the general education teachers in utilizing the curriculum.

 

Friend

Sometimes all a student needs is a friend, and the school counselor can be there for the student in a professional capacity. With this professional friendship comes confidentiality and privacy. Like a friend, the counselor may act as a mentor, supporter, advisor, listener, and believer. Supporting students in their personal development and learning is a main role for school counselors.

 

Therapist in Counseling Setting

In many cases, the school counselor may act as a school therapist while delivering the counseling sessions. School counselors may sometimes have to address student trauma or remedy situations involving bullying.

 

Teacher

School counselors may also be found in the classroom. They may assist the classroom teacher, provide consultation, or deliver lessons about social skills or emotional learning. Just as the classroom teacher prepares lessons, the school counselor must also create and deliver engaging lessons while having good classroom management skills. Formatively assessing students’ knowledge during and after the lesson helps counselors to adjust the teaching or future content.

 

Consultant

Collaborating with school staff and supporting the school organization and the teaching/learning process are also roles of the school counselor. The counselor must create and deliver a robust research-based school counseling program using data and student needs.