What Does a School Counselor Do?
School Counselors work in partnership with the school staff, parents, and the community to help students have a more positive and successful school experience. The primary focus of the school counseling and guidance program at the elementary level is prevention. School Counselors work with ALL students and our goal is to help empower students with self-knowledge, positive interpersonal skills, and coping strategies for the issues that elementary children typically face.
The counselor teaches classroom lessons to help students develop conflict resolution skills, improve their self-esteem, recognize and counteract bullying and harassment, and utilize good decision making strategies.
The Counselor(s) also provide the following services:
- Classroom guidance lessons
- Small group counseling
- Individual counseling
- Assist in crisis situations
- Coordinate efforts with other school professionals in order to help students to be successful
- Act as a consultant and referral source between school, parents, and community
- Help in the process of admitting and orientating new families to the school
- Conduct parent presentations and/or workshops
How does a student see the School Counselor?
- Self-referral
- Teacher referral
- Parent referral
- Administrative referral
There are many reasons for children to seek out their school counselor. The times that we live in can be stressful and difficult. Many personal and school related problems can have a direct impact on a child’s ability to learn. School counselors provide a safe and confidential environment for all students to help facilitate their academic and social success.