THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

We’ve all seen them in TV shows and movies where kids are in school. They
used to be called “guidance counselors” and they were often portrayed as overly nice
people who invited out-of-control students to have awkward conversations that they
dreaded. In reality, the role of the school counselor is much more subtle. Students can
come to them voluntarily to seek advice. If a student has a mandatory meeting with a
counselor, the goal is to improve the student’s situation for their own benefit, rather than
correct it for the benefit of the school.
For a counselor, there’s no higher calling than improving the lives of their
students academically, socially, and psychologically.

What Does a School Counselor Do?

Depending on the level of education of the student, a school counselor’s role
may vary. However, it always covers a few broad categories. Counselors are responsible
for working with students who need help managing their behavior, keeping up
academically, or planning for the future. Counselors also work with administrators,
teachers, and parents to develop a comfortable, healthy school environment free of
bullying or illegal activities.

A School Counselor’s Changing Role

The American School Counselor’s Association (ASCA) offers detailed literature
about the role of the school counselor. One of the major components of that role is
accountability. School counselors are responsible for analyzing data on their own
effectiveness and adjusting their techniques to maximize their value to students. As a
result, the role of the counselor is ever-changing and depends on a variety of factors at
work within the school.
One of the most important recent changes to the school counselor’s role is
dealing with new forms of bullying, especially cyberbullying. Students of younger and
younger ages are using technology for communication and socializing and by doing so
are putting themselves at risk for a type of bullying that is difficult to deal with for both
student and counselor. A school counselor must be aware of new social issues that
constantly arise between students based on changing trends.
Make a Difference as a School Counselor
If you’ve ever wanted to become a school counselor, you might find that the job
has changed between when you start studying and when you earn your master’s and get
placed at a school. Like many other professions, the field of school counseling is
constantly evolving and requires a comprehensive education before work as well as a
continuing education during the course of the work.

The Importance of the School Counselor

A counselor is always there to offer advice to students at crucial turning points
in their lives. Whether these counselors work in elementary, middle, or high schools,
they are there for students who are going through a difficult time or just need advice and
support. A few words from a helpful counselor can profoundly impact a student’s life
by improving their outlook on school, family, and the future.
So a school counselor isn’t just the awkward hippy trope you see in movies and
on TV. Counselors are real people with a real interest in helping students learn and
grow. They help create an environment for students to find their path to a successful
adult life.

Why Is Counseling Important in Schools?

They used to be called “guidance counselors” and they were often portrayed as
overly nice people who invited trouble-making students to have awkward conversations
that they dreaded. My high-school guidance counselor was also our hockey coach, and
he only worked as a counselor because our school didn’t allow people to just be
coaches. The two state championships that team went to, and the one that they won in
my four years in high school always told me that he was better at that job than he was at
actually counselling the students he was assigned. Time has not dissuaded that belief
either.
This was a shame, and still is, as counseling is important in schools—it can help
provide important information and perspective to students that might not be able to get
it otherwise. Students can come to them voluntarily to seek advice. If a student has a
mandatory meeting with a counselor, the goal is to improve the student’s situation for
their own benefit, rather than correct it for the benefit of the school.

The Counselor’s Role

One of the major components of that role is accountability. School counselors
are responsible for analyzing data on their own effectiveness and adjusting their
techniques to maximize their value to students. As a result, the role of the counselor is
ever-changing and depends on a variety of factors at work within the school.
One of the most important recent changes to the school counselor’s role is dealing with
new forms of bullying, especially cyberbullying. Students of younger and younger ages
are using technology for communication and socializing, and by doing so, are putting
themselves at risk for a type of bullying that is difficult to deal with for both student and
counselor. A school counselor must always work to be aware of new social issues that
are constantly arising between students.
A counselor should also always there to offer advice to students at crucial
turning points in their lives. Whether these counselors work in elementary, middle, or
high schools, they ought to be there for students who are going through a difficult time
or just need advice and support. A few words from a helpful counselor can profoundly
impact a student’s life by improving their outlook on school, family, and the future, and
this, along with the responsibilities outlined above, form the key tenets of what the role
of a modern school counselor is.

Effects of Quality Counseling

The biggest beneficial effect of a well-trained and effective school counselor is
in the way they help prepare students for academic, career, and social challenges
through relating their school success with the potential success of their future lives.
They should help motivate students to learn and explore the world around them to help
figure out what they want to do with their lives, to encourage their students to have
these types of conversations with their parents and peers, as well as being a sympathetic
ear for the same students to come to when necessary—and this is nothing to say of their
ability to facilitate more intimate or group counseling sessions as well.
 School counselors also provide support to teachers by serving an important part
of the complete team that addresses the educational goals and needs of their students.
They can help plan classroom and group activities that meet the students’ needs.
Counselors gather and share resources with teachers to help the staff develop their skills
in classroom management and teaching effectiveness. They also observe students in the
classroom or playground and provide teachers assistance with their roles as guides.
School counselors are an integral part of school administration. They ensure that
the school counseling program and academic mission are in line and promote student
success. Counselors also develop a system to manage the program and help the
administration use counselors effectively to augment student development and learning.
Additionally, they provide useful data from the program for funding and grant
application purposes.
A good school counselor can and will help the school run smoothly and
effectively, but with the light and distanced touch that can often lead others to wonder
what effect they have even had on their education, if any. And, like in many
professions, while the accolade of one’s work may, sadly, not be there, it does not mean
that there was no effect.