Celebrating School Counselor Week – February 2nd-9th, 2024
Did you know… there’s an event called School Counselor Week that happens every year? This event is all about celebrating the amazing work that school counselors do to help students succeed in school and in life.
School counselors are like superheroes who work with teachers, parents, and students to identify and tackle a variety of issues that students may face – everything from academic struggles to mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.
A Day In The Life
A day in the life of a school counselor is pretty busy! They start their day early by checking schedules and responding to emails before the students arrive. Once the students are there, they spend most of their day meeting with them one-on-one to provide a safe and supportive space for them to talk about their problems and receive guidance. During lunch breaks, guidance counselors make an effort to connect with students in a more informal setting. This might involve circulating in the cafeteria, joining a student club meeting, or simply being available for impromptu conversations.
They also lead group and classroom lessons on important topics like coping strategies, bullying prevention, and goal-setting. And they work closely with teachers and parents to make sure that every student has the support they need to succeed. The dedication of guidance counselors can also extend beyond regular school hours. They attend parent-teacher conferences, school events, and engage in ongoing professional development to stay abreast of the latest trends in education and counseling. A counselor’s focus can also be dedicated to college and career guidance for students in the high school settings. From organizing college fairs to assisting with college applications, guidance counselors play a pivotal role in helping students navigate the exciting yet challenging path to higher education and future careers.
Counselors are also important when times of crisis arise. Guidance counselors are similar to first responders. They are there to help provide a calming and supportive presence during challenging and stressful experiences whether it is affecting one student or the whole school community. So let’s take a moment to appreciate School Counselor Week and all the amazing work that school counselors do. They truly are superheroes who make a huge difference in the lives of students every day!
About The Author: Kathy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30+ years providing counseling for individuals, groups, conflict management, trauma, behavioral, and social skills group counseling to children. Kathy has always had a passion for helping children gain insight into themselves, their strengths, and overall resilience. She believes every child is capable of succeeding and deserves to reach their dreams. Kathy looks forward to helping more children learn, grow and thrive.