Transitioning Into the Field of School Counseling The Transformed School Counselor Chapter 15 ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Act as a counselor, advocate, leader, collaborator, and consultant to maximize opportunities for students to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially. Strive to develop in all students ambitious goals and a commitment to achievement. Become a steward of equity; be able to use data to recognize institutional and environmental barriers that impede student success. Provide all students with academic and career advising. Become an effective manager of resources. Envisioning Your Future ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Planning for Your Success Before you begin your new job, spend as much time as you can learning about the physical, structural, academic, and social climate of the school, starting with the community in which it is situated. Before you begin your new job, spend as much time as you can learning about the physical, structural, academic, and social climate of the school, starting with the community in which it is situated. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Learning About the Home and Community Environment Physically place yourself in your students’ neighborhoods. Ask questions of faculty and community members about the range of socioeconomic levels in the community and parental involvement. Learn about stressors and support systems of your school’s families. Community Standards Community Standards You will need to know the community and institutional standards to discern how to behave ethically in the particular environment. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Learning About the School Environment Determine the nature of the school environment. Ask questions such as: What is the working climate? Is there a sense of camaraderie? Which departments are functioning well? Leadership and the Power Structure Where is the power base for decision making? Who are the formal leaders? How are school counselors involved? The informal power base – Who are the teachers who wield the greatest influence among other faculty? ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Learning About the School Environment Culture and Beliefs of Administration and Faculty What are their beliefs about student learning? Ask questions about how students are disciplined in your school to see if there is a disciplinary plan in place. Observe how teachers interact with students. The Students Student morale is an aspect of school climate. Are the students engaged, enthusiastic, positive, and motivated? Ask students what they think of their school and their school counseling program. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Learning About the School Environment Curriculum/Instruction and Student Support Learn as much as you can about the school’s curriculum offerings, the special education program, and all support systems in place for struggling students. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Heading Toward Success Organizing Your Physical Environment Set yourself up early in a comfortable arrangement for the year. Place your furniture with attention to traffic patterns. Have a space that allows you and students to be comfortable and in close proximity to each other without a desk or barrier between you. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Heading Toward Success Organizing Your Time Weekly, monthly and yearly calendars can be a support. Establish a weekly calendar and place it on your door to establish a feeling of being in control of your time and job assignments. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Heading Toward Success Organizing Your Resources Ideally your equipment will include:   Computers for you and the students   A phone with multiple phone lines   A copy machine   A fax machine Be resourceful and seek support from business people and others to help meet equipment needs. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Heading Toward Success Organizing Your Data Sources Study your school’s report card data as early as possible. The principal is usually a great resource for finding data information. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Heading Toward Success Organizing Your Support System Many school systems assign new counselors a buddy or mentor. If your school system does not have a formal mentor program, find someone to support you. Orchestrate success for yourself. Outside of school, find a person with whom you can share all your frustrations. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Put the mechanisms in place for developing your professional skills and knowledge, maintaining your energy, and building relationships that will support you in all your efforts at building a successful program. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Professional Development Professional organizations offer support and can help you increase your professionalism in the field. Professional organizations such as the ASCA also provide informative publications and discussion lists as part of your membership. District-level in-services, regional workshops, and summer institutes are a few ways you can grow your professionalism. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Management Agreement Create a management agreement to keep your goals in line with what your co-counselors and administrators see you doing. Create a management agreement to keep your goals in line with what your co-counselors and administrators see you doing. Include the percentage of time designated to each of the four areas of the delivery system. Include the percentage of time designated to each of the four areas of the delivery system. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Practicing Wellness In schools there can be unhealthy people, toxic environments, and other drains on a school counselor’s emotional well-being. Find outlets and ways to renew your spirit, and seek opportunities to use them regularly. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Professional Comportment Behave in a professional manner at all times. Set boundaries, develop coping skills, and keep whatever comes your way in perspective. Build and protect your relationships. Respect the experience of others and share your knowledge. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Ensuring Your Success Maintaining Your Professional Commitments Stay Passionate About Advocacy Expect support, praise, and ridicule at varying times. Remember that the alternative to making waves is allowing some students to be left out of the success picture. Support the Instructional Program Think of new ways to implement strategies to support teaching and learning. Send the message that you respect the tough job teachers have and that you are there to support their efforts. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Laying the Foundation for Your School Counseling Program Prepare a Mission Statement Align the mission of the school counseling program with the school’s mission. Print out and display your mission statement to serve two purposes:  It will provide you with transparency, letting everyone know what you stand for and what you hope to accomplish  It will keep you focused by reminding you every day of what you stand for and what you wish to accomplish. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Laying the Foundation for Your School Counseling Program Start Building a Belief System What we believe, what we hold true about students, families, teachers, and the educational process, drives our ability to support success for every student. Our beliefs are derived from our background and experience. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Laying the Foundation for Your School Counseling Program Begin Building Your Team Identify a team that can help to implement your program. The core team members include administrators, teachers, student service personnel, parents, students, and business and community representatives. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Laying the Foundation for Your School Counseling Program Making the Shift to a Comprehensive, Transformed School Counseling Program Move toward a collaborative effort in which key players will analyze existing practices. Determine to what degree comprehensive school counseling is in place and clearly identify aspects of a comprehensive model that need to be implemented. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

One Year Later: Envisioning Your Transformed School Counseling Program The ASCA model forms the foundation of your program, supports the mission of your school, and provides the direction as to how every student will benefit from the school counseling program. The implementation team has determined a mission statement, philosophy, and guiding beliefs. The team has identified an appropriate delivery system and parents, students, teachers, and support staff are aware of their roles within the delivery system. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.