There are a number of benefits of having school counselors and in district school counseling. Many states require that counselors get a master’s degree in counseling and have a state issued credential for any public school positions, since they are such an integral part of the education system. Counselors don’t just benefit students; they also have an impact on other groups of people in the educational system.
Support for Students: One of the biggest benefits of in district school counseling is to the students. Counselors can help prepare students for career, social, and academic challenges. They can help students become motivational learners and help them with different career exploration. Counselors will also talk to parents about things they are worried about with students. If students don’t feel comfortable speaking about social or emotional problems at home, a school counselor can help with individual counseling sessions. If there are problems with groups of students, group counseling may be needed. Counselors can also include parents in these sessions to see if outside support is needed.
Support for Parents and Guardians: Support for parents and guardians is just as important as student support. Counselors can help facilitate any parent-parent consultations, parent-teacher, or individual consultations, in order to make sure everyone is on the same pages when it comes to any issues regarding students. They can also provide support in advocating for children’s social development and academic career. Counselors can help parents ensure access to community and school resources.
Teacher Support: School counselors can help support parents by addressing education goals and the needs of students. Counselors can also share resources with teachers that can help develop skills in teaching effectiveness and classroom management. Since counselors can observe students outside the classroom, they can provide teachers with help and resources with their roles as guides. They can also serve a role in parent-teacher conferences.
Administrative Support: Since school administrators are responsible for running school related operations, from everyday activities to educational materials, counselors are an important part of the process. Counselors can help develop a system to manage the counseling program and help make sure the administration is utilizing counselors effectively, in order to improve student learning and development. By monitoring the program, they can look at data to make improvements and make sure that the counseling program helps meet the diverse needs of the students.
Support for Personnel: Counselors work in conjunction with student service personnel, such as resource teachers, social workers, nurses, psychologists, and other professional staff that provide assistance to students. They can create a positive team approach to student relationships and make sure that every student has the means for success. By sharing data from the counseling program, teams can work together to make the most of the social and educational benefits for student growth.
