One of my main core beliefs is that every student should be given equitable services to succeed in their educational journey. This means the school and staff must meet a student where they are and tailor that education to the students needs, which best fit their abilities. I am also a large proponent of creating a school environment where every student feels emotionally and physically safe to come to school. This to me is really the foundation of students wanting to come through the doors and achieving a positive education. Schools systems that promote equitable services, design educational plans that meet students needs and create an environment conducive to learning is really one of my top priorities and core beliefs.

 

Occupying such a role as school counselor provides a great opportunity to create change with-in systems and students. On an individual level student to counselor it affords the ability of the school counselor to collaborate with other staff to make positive changes which can be student led and ultimately lead to better academic and social outcomes. On a larger scale this role has the ability to collaborate with outside stakeholders and administrators to create change in school systems that can benefit students, parents, community and the school as a whole. 

 

As in any recognized profession there needs to be a set of policies, rules and ethics that help guide the practitioner but also help build trust with the ones in which we work with. Having a framework in which to work from gives the profession a foundation and model to demonstrate to the larger audience that we are confident in our practice and helps the practitioner make difficult decisions in times of increasing gray areas with-in the actual day to day activities a school counselor finds themselves in. 

 

Through advocacy I will empower my students to become who they want by meeting their needs and creating a school environment where they can thrive. I will be their voice when they do not have a voice! 

I feel as though I am in the early phases of foundational practices that incorporate counseling theories with-in the work I am doing and will be doing into the future. I do feel confident in carrying out our school's policies and practices. I feel as though I am in the early stages of learning and implementing ASCA standards as a counselor. Perhaps I do a number of those unconsciously; however it is a dense set of practices, ethics and policies that govern the profession. Overall I feel confident that I am aware of how cultural, social, and environment  factors impact our students ability to learn and navigate with-in the school itself.  I am working on building a leadership type program with-in our new alternative school and working with our principal to navigate that system and process. In regard to advocacy and system change I feel I have a good grasp on those and have practice those two pieces as a child welfare case worker for many years. 

In regard to direct and indirect student services which involve collaboration with community partners, and school staff I feel as though I have been practicing that for many years as a social worker and direct care worker for a diverse set of populations. 

 

I think in the planning and assessment piece is where I currently feel less confident. I have yet to use certain data as a tool to guide my work; however I do look forward to working with data and engaging in date driven reports that can help solve issues and create for a more equitable school system. 

 

Overall, I think like with anything practice will make perfect and I intend to heed to that old timey advice with the profession of school counseling.