School Counselor FAQs

  • »Who is a School Counselor?
    A person who provides help and support to students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators
    A person who is a student advocate
    A person who helps students and parents explore resources
    A coordinator
    A group facilitator
    A consultant
    A teacher
    A case manager

    »What does a School Counselor do?
    Promotes positive learning experiences for our students
    Supports students in reaching their highest academic potential
    Helps identify student strengths and areas of need
    Supports students with organization and study skills
    Consults with teachers to promote students’ academic success
    Provides social and emotional support to students in groups and individually
    Encourages better interpersonal relationships
    Assists students in mediating differences
    Promotes positive attitudes and choices
    Assists students with growing up process
    Assists families in making use of community resources
    Aids teachers and parents in helping students
    Reviews assessment results to provide information about abilities, needs, achievement and interests
    Coordinates efforts with other school agencies
    Coordinates referrals to outside agencies
    Facilitates discussion groups
    Supports students in career and vocational exploration
    Provides guidance to students in developing academic plans and making course selections
    »What is the purpose of individual counseling, group meetings, and classroom guidance?
    To help students develop self understanding and self awareness
    To build self confidence and self esteem
    To encourage students to recognize and make the best use of their capabilities
    To provide opportunities for students to feel successful
    To give students opportunities to talk about educational and personal/social concerns
    To provide students opportunities to learn positive lessons from each other
    To encourage students to recognize, understand, and work through learning or interpersonal difficulties
    To help students better adjust to school and home environments
    To develop students’ awareness of the world of work
    To teach students the decision making/problem solving process
    To teach students assertiveness/advocacy skills
    To help students think about options for post secondary education
    To help students apply to colleges or to apply for jobs
    To keep students informed about employment trends
    »How does a student get scheduled for an appointment with the counselor?
    Self referral (sign up in the counseling office or see the counselor at lunchtime or in the hallway)
    Parent request
    Teacher request
    Administrative request/referral
    Counselor initiated