Many of my basic core beliefs align directly with the ASCA’s Ethical Standards of school standards that outline the standards and duties that counselors should have for themselves as well as their duties to parents, students, staff and school community. One of my favorites, and in my opinion standard that holds true in any academic setting “Responsibility to students: a. Have a primary obligation to the students, who are to be treated with dignity and respect as unique individuals” This is important because this applies to students not only in the academic setting, but in the outside world too. Also, every student is capable of learning it is the duty of the professional to teach, implement and demonstrate what they want the student to learn and receive. The next core belief I have of students and their ability to achieve is the idea that [students] “Be respected, be treated with dignity and have access to a comprehensive school counseling program that advocates for and affirms all students from diverse populations including but not limited to: ethnic/racial identity, nationality, age, social class, economic status, abilities/disabilities, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity, emancipated minors, wards of the state, homeless youth and incarcerated youth. School counselors as social-justice advocates support students from all backgrounds and circumstances and consult when their competence level requires additional support.” (2014) This means a lot to me as a future counselor, because I have seen how race, economic status, and other statues have limited the amount of access to resources some families and students have. For me as a future counselor, within my power to do so, be open to all, and accept all students, provide support to both students and families and to be of service to those who are seeking outside help.

As a future school counselor, and as an advocate for every student, I plan to be the voice for them and to help navigate them in the path of success, to help with social change and affirm all students of many backgrounds and cultural makeups. To highlight and keep in mind the goals of the school and how these very goals align with the counseling department. Not only in the academic setting, but at home in their community to, to advocate for social justice/ reforms, to speak up against child abuse and neglect, to speak for the underserved in terms of access to resources, food, and shelter. School counselors advocate for each and every student despite any race, gender, religion or economic status. All children, students and families deserve someone to speak up for them and their rights/needs.

Ethical standards guide the work of school counselors, because it provides sort of a template and/or guide of  the job, and how it should to be performed in the schools and also as a safety net to ensure that each stakeholder (counselor, student, family, teachers and school) are held accountable for the expectations of the standards and in their role in how these standards are made, performed and implemented.

“I believe that every student can succeed academically, socially and emotionally with the proper and necessary tools, from family, school and the community that ensure success for tomorrow and forever.”

ACA governing council. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. In Code of Ethics (pp. 4-19). American Counseling Association. Retrieved July 2020, from https://www.counseling.org/Resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf