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I am currently certified as a School Counselor. I completed my Master of Education in Educational Psychology/Special Education in 2009 at the University of Houston, and just finished my ninth year as an Educational Diagnostician.  I taught 5th and 6th grade Special Education for five years.  In addition to holding certifications as a School Counselor and Educational Diagnostician, I also have certifications in Principal, ESL, GT, Special Education, EC-4, and English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies 4-8. I hope to work as a school counselor at either the high school or elementary level.  I will complete the Master of Education in Guidance Counseling in December 2018.

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Researching Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools - Academic Resource

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Researching Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools - Academic Resource

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I searched the Angelo State University Library and found a book on preventing bullying and school violence, “Preventing Bullying and School Violence,” by authors Stuart W. Twemlow, M.D, and Frank C. Sacco, Ph.D.

The focus audience is mental health professionals with the goal to provide hands-on guidance to help school counselors, administrators, school psychologists, and others involved in the mental health of students, to build a healthy academic environment for all students.

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Exploration Option 1 - Conversation with a School Counselor

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Exploration Option 1 - Conversation with a School Counselor

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I spoke with Tamara Lawson, School Counselor, at one of the elementary schools that I work at as an Educational Diagnostician.  We talked about some of the current legal and ethical issues impacting her position as an Elementary Counselor.

#1: It is important because of the current heightened awareness of mental health issues to know when one is legally obligated to break confidentiality and privacy in counseling.  With the heightened awareness surrounding school shootings, stemming largely from bullying, it is important to be aware of any comments from a student indicating self-harm or the harm of others.   This is primarily because those that commit school shootings often-times wish to also commit suicide.  Knowing when to report concerns to the proper authorities is imperative to preventing such unfortunate tragedies.

#2: It is important to have knowledge about other cultures and populations.   With the growing diversity of students in our schools, having the knowledge of others and their beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles, is important to make ethical decisions and avoid imposing personal beliefs of the counselor onto students.

#3:  Keeping relationships not only with students professional, it is also important to have boundaries with parents.  This is especially important at the elementary level, as there tends to be heavy communication with parents, and it is easy for the lines of familiarity to become blurred, impairing decision-making.  Knowing how to explain to parents boundaries if needed, and to politely decline friend invitations on social media is important.

(T. Lawson, personal communication, June 8, 2018).

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association

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Exploration Option 2 - American School Counselor Association

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On the American School Counselor Association’s website, a great deal of focus is on school safety.  ASCA is openly calling for the government to develop more sound school safety policies that focus on supporting all students and their well-being, particularly their mental health.  A Framework for Safe and Successful Schools developed jointly by ASCA and other mental health professional organizations, outlines recommendations and best practices for school safety.

ASCA is actively advocating for the importance and value of the school counselor in schools.  The focus is on voicing the need for increasing the number of school counselors, as well as social workers, and school psychologists in our schools to address the growing concern with the mental health of students.

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What I Learned About Bullying and Cyberbullying

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What I Learned About Bullying and Cyberbullying

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Bullying and Cyberbullying are part of school violence prevention programs aimed at protecting school-aged children.  In Texas, anti-bullying laws define bullying and harassment separately and cover cyberbullying.  Schools receiving federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination.  Bullying and cyberbullying offenses are possible civil rights violations ("Texas Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies," 2018).

Federal law outlines the obligations of schools have under federal civil rights laws that the Department of Education and the Department of Justice ("Federal Laws," 2018).   While Texas does not have a state model policy, laws and regulations covering bullying directing school districts on what they must do, as well as key components of the legal framework, are supported by Texas Law and the Texas Education Agency ("Texas Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies," 2018).

Anti-bullying is an essential topic for educators and school counselors, as it is a significant issue that requires addressing.  While bullying has been a problem for years, and steps have been taken to prevent bullying, the programs currently in place have not been effective.  Considering the recent school shootings, the focus on the prevention of harassment is even more relevant now in our schools.  Educators must be knowledgeable of the signs, and when to act when an individual reports bullying.  More importantly, there needs to be a better and more comprehensive anti-bullying campaign (Twemlow & Sacco, 2012).

As a school counselor, it is imperative that I be knowledgeable about anti-bullying laws and the requirements placed on the districts.  I also need to be aware of the obligations set upon my license as an educator and school counselor. Most importantly, I need to be able to educate both students and faculty members on signs of bullying and anti-bullying prevention.

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Legal and Ethical Issue of Most Interest - Bullying and Cyberbullying

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Legal and Ethical Issue of Most Interest - Bullying and Cyberbullying

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Upon researching the legal and ethical issues currently surrounding school counseling, I am most interested in bullying and cyber-bullying.  I would like to learn more about how schools are responding to the growing trend impacting so many of our school-aged students.

I am interested in bullying and cyber-bullying, as I am the parent of school-aged children.  Not only am I an educator and a certified School Counselor, but I have also witnessed first-hand bullying in schools and the impact it can have on children and their social and mental health.

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Twemlow, S. W., & Sacco, F. C. (2012). Preventing bullying and school violence. Washington, DC : American Psychiatric Pub., [2012].

Federal Laws. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/federal/index.html

Texas Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/texas/index.html

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Researching Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools - Internet  Resource

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Researching Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools - Internet  Resource

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I searched the internet and found the website Stopbullying.gov.   The website covers bullying and cyberbullying, as well as provides tips for teachers, and resources to report both bullying and cyberbullying.