Using the assessment is a great way to help gauge my current knowledge or lack of knowledge in the counseling field. After completing the assessment, I found that, overall, I am pleased with my current level of knowledge and skill but need to learn many more strategies, techniques, and fundamentals about counseling before I would be anywhere near proficient. I think the assessment also helped me realize how many small actions go into being a quality counselor and creating a quality school counseling program.

Mindset was the highest score which is important because this is the basis for all the other pieces of counseling. If you don’t believe in the potential for all students, I feel like it might be a challenge to build a successful school program. Having been in the classroom for the last 9 years, the indirect and direct student services portion makes sense since I have done some of the services in my previous school and seen the counselors in my building perform these services. I think the most challenging piece of providing services is when to make a decision and how to go about taking the correct steps to get students help.

One of the biggest areas where I need to learn more about counselling is in the legal issues, policies, and current research. Continuing on the counseling path and being exposed to more and more situations, theories, and experiences will help give me the knowledge to become more competent in this area.

American School Counselor Association (2019). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association

In my experience in the world, I believe that all people want to be happy, kind, and loved. This leads me to believe like all students, no matter their race, gender, socioeconomic state, religion or background has the ability to succeed in school and the future with the right supports and guidance. My belief is that a quality counselor that follows ethical standards and best practices will have the ability to reach deep into students’ lives to help them develop into successful and happy individuals no matter their situation.

 

The school counselor needs to make sure they are implementing a program to reach all students from diverse backgrounds in their building. This will help counselors be proactive in the lives and educations of students as opposed to only targeting the high and low end of student needs. No human being is alike and no student comes to school with the same needs or issues. Its imperative that counselors stand up for every student and to make sure they are given the services they need to meet their fullest potential inside and outside of the classroom. Needs will be wide ranging for each students but no matter the issue, the school counselors responsibility is to help each student the best they can in accordance with the ASCA standards.

 

Ethical standards set the baseline of how to interact and support the student you work with. The ethical standards help to protect students by setting a standard of conduct and behavior when dealing with the students, the students family, colleagues and the students information.  They also guide counselors decision making and judgement when dealing with vague or previously unencountered situations.

 

My vision is that every student will be given the opportunity to reach their highest potential by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program, that meets the needs of a diverse student body.

 

American School Counselor Association (2019). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association

Unfortunately, there was not a huge revelation in terms of understanding myself from participating in this assessment. The most valuable information I took away from this assessment was that I can look at each student as an individual regardless of their cultural or religious background.