A philosophy on the role and scope of the school counselor in the modern school system. A focus on academic, career, and personal/social domains. Building a collaborative, community environment for diverse families and schools.

1. the School Counselor
Carrie Frederick
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriefrederick

2. Philosophy on School Counseling
The school counselor is a partner within the school to first and foremost enhance
each student’s educational experience and personal development. This is achieved
through:
• Individual, small group, and classroom interactions between the school counselor and students
• Collaboration between the school counselor and teachers to observe and meet unique student needs
• Working with all school personnel to assess and address student needs
• Forecasting potential problems and devising preventative plans of action
• Communication with parents/guardians about programs available and developments with students
• Engaging students in an enthusiastic, understanding, and safe environment where they feel valued and
know their concerns are heard

3. Roles of the School Counselor
• Advocates in the best interest of students
• Provides counseling to students in academic, career, and personal/social domains
• Provides classroom guidance lessons in academic, career, and personal/social domains
• Collaborates with teachers, school personnel, and parents/guardians to support
students
• Analyzes data to implement and improve programs

4. Advocating for Students
• The counseling office is a judgement-free safe space where students can speak about and receive support for
any issues
• Development of Peer Helping programs to address specific needs within the school
• Collaborating with school personnel to ensure students are placed correctly academically and receiving the
proper support to succeed
• Partnering with community organizations to provide extended services (mental health counseling, substance
abuse counseling, etc.)
• Ensuring students have access to information on career development and understand how to achieve their
goals
• Provide lessons and resources to aid students in their academic, career, and personal/social development

5. Community Collaboration
• Check in regularly with principal, teachers, parents/guardians, and other school personnel to
gather information pertinent to the counseling office
• Share information on counseling programs with school personnel and parents/guardians
• Reach out to parents/guardians with concerns and progress reports
• Involve community organizations
• Build a culture of community where the counseling office is viewed as a resource for the
entire school

6. Scope of School Counseling
The programs created by school counselors use data to address many issues for the
individual students and the school at large. Some of the areas covered by counselors :
• Improve or enhance academic performance for all students
• Prevent or stop bullying, substance abuse, or other negative behaviors
• Help students with mental health issues
• Support minority students and deliver culturally competent counseling
• Ensure the counseling office supports the goals of the school
• Make and keep the school a safe environment for everyone
• Advocate for students, including advocating for proper resources for schools

7. the School Counselor
School counselors impact the entire school community through their
interactions with students, teachers, parents/guardians, and other school
personnel. They must be able to take a big picture view of how their role
can have the most positive impact while remaining in the best interests of
the students. The strength of the school counselor is their ability to
understand how each role intersects and that all of these together help
students succeed.