Effective Counselor/Principal Relationships Stephanie Allen Stefanie Cook Madison City Schools

What is the importance of an effective Principal and Counselor relationship? Improved student achievement Effective collaborative relationship Why is it important to have an effective collaborative relationship with your principal? Because effective counselor/principal practices lead to improved student achievement -- that is what we all want. It can be challenging, but the payoff is it helps our students and our schools.

A Closer Look at Effective Relationships If you could change one thing about the relationship between the principal and counselors in your school that would lead to an improvement, what would you choose? Communication Respect Most important for improving student outcomes A Closer Look at the Principal-Counselor Relationship A Survey of Principals and Counselors by Doreen Finkelstein, Research Scientist, The College Board study showed both principals and counselors rated communication and respect as important factors for an effective relationship. Principals most frequently gave Communication the highest ranking, while Counselors more frequently gave Respect the highest ranking.

A Matter of Perspective Often principals and counselors want the same thing: Student Success. But they offer different perspectives (Examples: confidentiality, assignment of extra tasks to counselors) on how this is accomplished. This is a challenge, but both perspectives are important and when working collaboratively, can increase student success. This is one reason healthy communication is so important. Don’t take poor communication personally… sometimes it is a matter of perspective from different roles or even personality differences that show up in communication

Communication What is good communication? Quality of communication counts (according to principals) Frequency of communication (according to counselors) When you have the time, MAKE IT COUNT Examples of communication: Scheduled meetings Impromptu meetings (carline, passing in hallway) Text messages Email Sometimes there needs to be a set agenda - this would be need for scheduled meeting. How many of you have regularly scheduled meetings with your principals? How many of you feel this are an effective way to communicate? As we all know the days move fast and things are always changing - this may be when a impromptu meetings (see them in the hallways, send a text or email) can assist in communication. This goes both ways. For instance, a counselor may be concerned that they aren’t always notified of serious discipline issues. A principal may not think (from their perspective) that there is a need for the counselor to know about a student who is suspended, but you have been caught in a dilemma before when a parent calls to discuss concerns and get resources and you had no idea that their child was suspended. What do you do? One possibly solution: communicate this need to your principal and asked to be notified. Have specific information/examples ready to share to support your need to know the information. Present an easy method of communication (example: counselor receives an email) that would be helpful.

Barriers to Communication - NOT ENOUGH TIME So many hours in the day No time without interruptions Counselors not used properly - hard to schedule meetings Not schedule oriented Student oriented Decisions are sometimes made too quickly https://www.facebook.com/gerrybrooksprin/videos/736462686563328/

Barriers to Communication - NOT ENOUGH TIME Both counselors and principals are consumed with job requirements Little time to collaborate during the work day Principals sometimes do not understand the role of counselor https://www.facebook.com/gerrybrooksprin/vide os/736462686563328/ https://www.facebook.com/gerrybrooksprin/videos/736462686563328/

Communication The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.” — Peter Drucker Reflection: What do you think is the biggest barrier to effective communication at your school? Next step: What is one thing you can take away to work around or remove that barrier?

Overcoming the Barrier of Time Make all encounters/meetings count Meetings should be fluid and organic Shared decision making Open communication provides opportunities for input and decision-making

Trust and Respect Trust (n): Confidence that a responsibility or obligation will be met. Both Trust and Respect are earned over time by actions and track record.

Improving the Relationship Understand what the other person does (counselor AND principal) https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/ASCA%20National%20Model%20Templates/AnnualAgreementTemplate.pdf https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics /EthicalStandards2016.pdf Could talk about using the Counseling Ethics and Principal/Counselor agreement at the beginning of school year to help with advocating for counseling role Open communication that focuses on helping students Shared Vision/Mission Allowing counselor voice to be heard as a leader

Trust and Respect “ For it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest that holds human associations together.” — H. L. Mencken Reflection: Is there a barrier of mutual trust and respect with your principal? Next step: What is one thing that you could do to take a step towards improving trust and respect?

References/Acknowledgement A Closer Look at the Principal-School Counselor Relationship: A Survey of Principals and Counselors. (2009) Doreen Finkelstein, Research Scientist, The College Board. Enhancing the Principal-School Counselor Relationship Toolkit. (2011) The College Board.

Contact Us Stephanie Allen slallen@madisoncity.k12.al.us Stefanie Cook scook@madisoncity.k12.al.us