Counseling

is to provide a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive counseling program with access to all students. The counselors strive to collaborate with students, parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and the community to provide an equitable, safe, and nurturing environment and to promote and support the academic, social/emotional, and career development of every student, every day!

The Role Of A Counselor

• Leader
• Advocate
• Collaborator
• Agent for Systemic Change

Leader

Today’s school counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

• Is responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling program for all students
• Encourages all stakeholders to understand and respond to the developmental needs of all children
• Promotes student success by participating in efforts to close existing achievement gaps
• Supports the school as a safe and nurturing environment
• Uses data to promote and evaluate the school counseling program

Advocate

School counselors can advocate to ensure access to and success in a rigorous academic curriculum for every student. School counselors can impact attitudes, policies or practices to reduce or eliminate barriers so that students can be successful in schools and careers.

• Promotes and designs a proactive approach that strives to meet the needs of all students
• Responds to students’ needs in a prompt and professional manner that addresses students’ needs while in crisis and day-to-day
• Identifies the need for internal and external mental health referrals for students when appropriate
• Conducts individual, small group and large group lessons and activities to assist students in removing barriers to their success

Collaborator

School counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success.

• Works with all stakeholders to encourage success in students
• Works with administration to create opportunities for learning for all constituents
• Communicates/networks with other school professionals
• Provides parent education
• Coordinates academic planning with teachers, students and parents
• Works with colleges to develop college/career awareness programs
• Conferences one-on-one with parents
• Provides academic support and feedback, including learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically
• Works with the community to acquire classroom speakers, shadow experiences and learning opportunities
• Identifies at-risk students and implements interventions to enhance success through student services and SAP programming
• Works with other educators to provide a safe and nurturing school climate
• Educates students socially/emotionally through school-wide behavioral and anti-bullying programs

Agent for Systemic Change

Part of the school counselor’s role as collaborator, leader and advocate is identifying systemic barriers to student success. School counselors are in unique positions that have access to a variety of data thus allowing them to implement support interventions needed to ensure that all students graduate ready for success in both college and careers.

• Identifies systemic barriers through the use of data
• Attempts to remove obstacles to student success
• Utilizes support systems and departments in place to create nurturing and successful environment for all students
• Creates clear guidelines for students to be successful
• Increases awareness about school safety issues
• Models inclusive language
• Designs comprehensive program that equally delivers program components to all students
• Creates environment where students are comfortable in coming forth with problems and societal issues

Our Services

Academic Support
The resources on the left were selected by our counselors as additional tools for academic support. It is also recommended that students consult the Program of Studies for the most up-to-date graduation requirements and the student handbook for for the grading policy.

Career Planning
Making sure your skills match your career choice and the job opportunities available is key to success in the workforce after middle and high school. Students considering job search after graduation should make sure they have the right information about employer expectations, pay and benefits, training opportunities, and industry trends.

Our guidance counselors have compiled a list of resources to help prepare students for the world of work and a career after high school.

As a culmination of our Middle School Career Journey, every 8 th grade student will participate in a Career Day in the spring of their 8 th grade year to help explore and ask questions of industry leaders in our community.

Social & Emotional Support
We believe education means caring for the whole student. Students are faced with a variety of challenges each day. We recognize that these obstacles don’t disappear during the school day, so our counselors are here to help support each student in a way that meets that student’s individual needs. There is support for social, emotional, and family needs within our state, county, and school district. Our counselors have compiled a list of resources to help serve students and their families with a variety of needs.

Issues like bullying, conflict resolution, social media concerns, and other conflicts are taken very seriously by the Governor Mifflin School District and Counseling Department. Please don’t hesitate to contact your student’s school counselor or administrator right away if there are any immediate concerns involving your child.