Teachers As Advisors Jan Struebing

What is it? A series of advisory meetings, leading up to and culminating with, a conference involving teachers, parents and students for the purpose of providing students with individual planning of high school curriculum directly related to a chosen career interest.

GUIDANCE The help all students receive from family, teachers, counselors, community members and others to assist with personal-social, educational and career decision- making. COUNSELING The help some students receive from counselors professionals to overcome personal and social problems that interfere with learning. Guidance vs. Counseling

TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO TACKLE DIFFICULT CURRICULUM AND WORK HARD TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO THE NEXT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL GUIDANCE: WHY DO IT? TO HELP STUDENTS MAKE SOUND CHOICES TO RAISE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Teachers As Advisors An individualized, comprehensive, and continuing career and academic guidance plan (Personalized Learning Plans) A process that enables students and their parents/guardians to gain knowledge needed to make informed academic and career preparation decisions Ongoing assessment of student’s strengths, weaknesses, career and academic objectives Short and long term goal setting to meet academic and career objectives A positive relationship with a small group of students and an adult A HSTW “Best Practice”

Who? All faculty – all students Each faculty member will serve as an advisor to approximately 15 – 18 students Random selection of students in each group is best Keep students “grade pure” Advisors may change students the following year or keep their students during their next year As seniors, students will become a part of a larger advisory activity known as Senior Seminar if the faculty decides. Some schools want seniors to be in advisory groups

A Small Advisory Group

Benefits? An opportunity to explore the possibilities and advantages of pursuing non-traditional careers A supportive environment where skills, abilities, and interests play a key role in decision-making A team approach to meeting student and parent/guardian needs academics. Integration between academic and career areas of education An organized method to distribute information and effectively use time Another adult on campus with whom parents/guardians can develop a relationship that is beneficial to all involved A process to assist in developing PLP (Personalized Learning Plans.)

When? Typically on a Tuesday, a different bell schedule will be followed which allows 30 minutes for advisory meetings (never first in the morning or last in the afternoon.) Tuesday is best day, then followed by Wednesday then Thursday. Never on a Monday or Friday. Set meetings on School Calendar by August. Follow schedule.

Teacher Training—How Much? Coping Skills on Situations How Much Planning do I have to do? Room Arrangement Will I Have a Lesson Plan to Follow or Will I Have to “Wing It”? Who Will Be In-Charge of Program? Concerns

I AM NOT A COUNSELOR! Why Am I Doing Their Job? What If I Give Wrong Information??

WHY Do We Do This?? To Improve Attendance Lower Drop Out Rate Be Role Models/Positive Influence Better Student/Parent Involvement at School Functions. Students Taking the Right Courses to Graduate Students Being Better Informed of Options Available to Them. Teachers More Knowledgeable About School and Students.

Implementation Buy-In from: Administration Counselors Teachers Students Who will oversee Committee Calendar Name Your Program Curriculum Portfolios Determine Groups Advisor training Public Relations & Marketing Evaluation

BURNING QUESTIONS !!! Everything you ever wanted to know about “advisory” but didn’t know who to ask.

and in conclusion “ Sometimes in education, we plan and plan, think of excuses, and never get a program off the ground. My advice is to try the program and evaluate. You will be happy with the results.” Jan Struebing