SCHOOL COUNSELING IN THE REAL WORLD By: Emily Curtis, Julie New and Ashleigh Stambaugh April 15, 2014 Salem College

Project Objectives: How do today’s counselors: Advocate and Collaborate Consult and Coordinate Be educational leaders Manage limited resources

COUNSELOR INTRODUCTIONS

Lisa Wagoner West Yadkin Elementary School B.A. in Psychology – UNC-C M.Ed. In School Counseling – UNC-C Has been a counselor for 24 years.

Anna Gilkey North Forsyth High School B.A. Psychology - Mary Baldwin College M.A. Clinical Metal Health – Wake Forest University Has been a School Counselor for 4 years

Melinda Vest Clemmons Middle School B.A. Psychology Emory and Henry College M.A. Marriage and Family – Appalachian State University School Counseling License – Appalachian State University Has been a School Counselor for 14 years

Breanne Clements Randolph Early College High School B.A. Music Performance - Salem College M.A. School Counseling – NC A&T State University Has been a School Counselor for 4 years

Amy Garner Southmont Elementary B.A. in Human Development–UNC-G M.A. School Counseling – UNC-G Has been a School Counselor for 14 years

Advocating for Students, Schools, Communities, and our Profession ◦ “The ASCA Ethical Standards for school counselors calls on school counselors to advocate for, lead and create equity-based school counseling programs that help close achievement, opportunity and attainment gaps” (Association, 2013). ◦ Our counselors were asked “What Steps have been taken to achieve this in your school?”

Collaboration ◦ Collaboration is defined as working with others to enhance achievement, advocate for equity, and provide access to school counseling for all students ◦ The ASCA National Model Competency I-B-4 says that “an effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills: collaborates with parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote and support student success” (ASCA, 2012; Curtis, New, & Stambaugh, 2014).

Coordinating ◦ According to Dahir and Stone (2012) the coordination of services is defined as “counselors serve as a liaison between teachers, parents, support personnel, and community resources to facilitate successful student development (Dahir & Stone, 2012). ◦ School counselors secure the appropriate and necessary services and supports that are essential to every student’s ability to achieve” (Dahir & Stone, 2012).

Consultation ◦ One of the first mentions of consultation is in competency III-B-1i in the management section (Association, 2012). The competency states that an effective school counselor “uses personal reflection, consultation and supervision to promote professional growth and development” (Association, 2012). ◦ Competencies IV-B-5a, 5b, and 5c discuss consultation and the role it plays in school counseling. These competencies look at consultation from both perspectives, that of providing consultation and seeking consultation by working with everyone involved in the education process.

Educational Leadership ◦ Leadership is one of the main themes of the ASCA National Model, and there are many forms. Two types discussed during our interviews: ◦ Political ◦ Symbolic ◦ We asked our counselor interviewees “How do you as a counselor lead your organization in building a solid counseling program foundation” (Curtis, New & Stambaugh, 2014)?

Managing Resources ◦ Managing resources is a key part in the profession of school counseling. ◦ Time can be a great resource and the ASCA competency III-A-4 suggests using short and long- term time management skills, such as calendars and schedules, as a way to help students, as well as school administrators, be successful.

Diversity ◦ “Diversity in our schools can be vast and varied, including areas such as age, race, culture, and academic or grade level to just mention a few. ◦ The ASCA states that “multicultural counseling competencies include school counselors’ (a) awareness of their own beliefs and attitudes toward diverse cultures and people, (b) knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures, and (c) counseling skills to address the diverse needs of their students and stake holders” (ASCA, 2010: Sue, 1992; Lambie & Limberg, 2011, pg. 46; New, 2014).

School Safety ◦ School counselors can play a major role in maintaining a safe school environment. ◦ Since school counselors are not limited to spending the whole day in a classroom, they are more available to move about the school and help observe and monitor daily interactions, comings, and goings of students.

Special Needs ◦ School counselors are one of the key players in special education placement. ◦ There are many laws in place to protect students that are in special needs programs. ◦ School counselors help make sure that schools abide by these laws and collaborate with administrators, teachers, parents and students to make sure that all students get a fair and appropriate education.

School counselors: Advocate & Coordinate Consult and Collaborate Work with Special Needs & Diverse populations Lead and Manage resources Create safe school cultures

References Association, A. S. (2012). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author. Association, A. S. (2013). School Counselor Competencies. Retrieved from Curtis, E. (2014). Interview Questions with Anna Gilkey. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. Curtis, E. (2014). Interview Questions with Lisa Wagoner. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. Curtis, E., New, J., & Stambaugh, A. (2014). Group C Questions. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. Dahir, C., & Stone, C. (2012). The Transformed school counselor. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cencage Learning. Dr. Morris, A. (2014). School Counselors: Leaders and advocates. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. Good, M. (2012). The five steps that make diversity work, parts 1-3. New, J. (2014). Hispanic Culture in our schools. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. New, J. (2014). Interview Questions with Amy Garner. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. New, J. (2014). Interview Questions with Breanne Clements. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. New, J. (2014). Leadership and Advocacy. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. New, J. (2014). Week 7 Discussion Question 2. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College. Stambaugh, A. (2014). Interview Questions with West, Melinda. Winston-Salem, NC: Salem College