A School Counselor
WHO IS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR
A school counselor can be regarded as a professional that notices and wades into a crisis situation before its aggravated. They also help resolve already aggravated crisis situations. They are problem solvers, who are professionally trained educators and whose specific job is to aid students and teachers in solving education or attitudinal and career related problems. School Counselors are also known as guidance counselors or educational counselors.
TYPES OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS
There are basically 3 types of school counselors:
Elementary School counselor - They deal with early graders
Middle/Junior High counselor - They deal with Middle school students
High school counselor - They deal with high school kids preparing for post secondary life
Other type’s of counselors are those that work in:
District supervisory roles
Counselor Education
Post secondary settings
MODE OPERATIONS
The operations mode of most school counselors are only differentiated by the attention to developmental stages of students’ growth, including needs, task and student interests related to these stages. They basically address the academic, personal/social and career development needs.
WHAT THEY DO
Counselors are trained to assist all students regardless of abilities; they also work in tandem with school heads, health professionals, teachers, parents and law enforcement agencies.
ACTIVITIES OF COUNSELORS
They deal with personal, family and social problems pertaining to students concerns
In higher classes, counselors help students plan their academic programs
They develop and maintain records on students
They help coordinate information about requirements for school entry and scholarships for colleges and vocational schools
It is expected of a counselor to be knowledgeable on school policy on attendance, dress code, alcohol and drug abuse, pregnancy and weapons
They also develop special plans for some students needing referrals to medical and law enforcement agents.
www.special-ed-careers.org
WHO IS A COUNSELOR
A counselor is an individual who is interested in the personal/social, academic and professional development of a child. They are required to have a high level of education sometimes to the doctorate degree level, mostly, degrees in counseling, educational psychology or counseling psychology.
Their qualities are, but, not necessarily limited to patience, resourcefulness, capability to inspire youth, trustworthiness and confidence. They also posses skills that stand them out as leaders with excellent listening skills who are very adaptable to individual or group mode of attendance.
WHERE TO FIND A COUNSELOR
Counselors abound in most western countries; it’s a profession that is widely needed now, not only in school settings but in general living. Most countries have associations that govern the practice of counselors. They are easily accessible from the various search engines on the internet.
Counselors make a good living from the profession these days as their professional needs are required in schools, the military, civil service e.t.c
