The importance of this article focuses on explaining the role of both the school counselor and the school psychologist in preparing students in urban school settings for college and/or the workforce (Hines, et al., 2019). In the article it talks about how school counselors can use a “needs assessment”. This assessment focuses on self- skills that will ensure a student’s career readiness. For example, school counselors and school psychologists may start by creating and implementing a needs assessment, as it relates to the developmental tasks of students (i.e., self-regulation, self-efficacy, self-competence) that must be negotiated to ensure college and career readiness (Hines, et al., 2019). In this article it provides the importance of school counselors in elementary, middle, and high school. In elementary, school counselors align with the mission of schools through proactive leadership and implementation of a comprehensive, culturally responsive, data-driven school counseling program to promote the success of all students (Hines, et al., 2019). At this school level, middle school counselors assist students with coping skills, career exploration, substance abuse education, social skills, and goal setting (Hines, et al., 2019). High school counselors, they provide individual and group counseling on issues related to the students’ social–emotional, academic and career development (Hines, et al., 2019).  

As an elementary teacher working alongside with my school counselor, I see as stated in this article, In elementary, school counselors align with the mission of schools through proactive leadership and implementation of a comprehensive, culturally responsive, data-driven school counseling program to promote the success of all students (Hines, et al., 2019), the school counselor at my school makes sure he is available to assist us in the classroom to help increase the schools mission. Our school counselor also sends us resources that he has found data driven research on that we can implement in our classroom to promote a positive environment. I haven’t had experience with middle aged school counselors yet, I plan to in a few days. In this article, it states how high school counselors supports the students in their academics and career development. When I was in high school, I connected with my school counselor more. She guided me with my career development and academics

Hines, E. M., Vega, D. D., Mayes, R., Harris, P. C., & Mack, M. (2019). School counselors and school psychologists as collaborators of college and career readiness for students in urban school settings. Journal for Multicultural Education, 13(3), 190-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-02-2019-0015

Some core beliefs that I have for students and their ability to achieve are gaining self-efficiency, becoming their true authentic self, and given respect to be heard. As students gain self-efficiency, they will be able to work through school and life with perseverance. The construct of self-efficacy represents individuals’ optimistic self-belief that they can perform difficult tasks and achieve desired outcomes (Mullen, P. R. et al., 2016). Every student is their own person. As they go through life experiences and dealing with meeting parent or friend expectations, they may forget who they are or what they want to be in life. Knowing their true authentic self will allow them to gain self- confidence and boundaries to achieve their goals. As a counselor I belief it is important to be an active listener with your students and to show them you are here to listen. The process of active listening helps both parties clarify the content and feelings of a situation and is a learning process for each participant (Hazler, 2016).

School Counselor Role

School counselors are responsible of supporting students in both an educational and a mental health profession. As a school counselor are role is to provide students with counseling programs that will contribute their academics to result in achievement. Also, as school counselors we are to provide opportunities and research-based interventions to help support mental health and positive behaviors.

Ethical Standards

Ethical standards guide the work of school counselors by giving a detailed description in each category for a school counselor to abide by. Some examples, ethical standards states that school counselors are to collaborate with stakeholders, A.6. Appropriate Collaboration, Advocacy and Referrals for Counseling (ASCA,2022), have confidentiality with students’ information, A.2. Confidentiality (ASCA,2022), and build positive relationships with students, A.5. Sustaining Healthy Relationships and Managing Boundaries (ASCA,2022).

Vision Statement

My vision statement as a school counselor is to be a support system to each student through education and mental health while building student’s self-efficiency, authenticity, and academics. Also, to provide resources for my students through communicating with stakeholders and networking within the community.

References:

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors.https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdfLinks to an external site.

Hazler, R. (2016). Person-Centered theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 169-194). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Mullen, P. R., Lambie, G. W., Griffith, C., & Sherrell, R. (2016). School counselors’ general self-efficacy, ethical and legal self-efficacy, and ethical and legal knowledge. Ethics & Behavior, 26(5), 415–430.

The area that I do well on is the mindset area.  As I look at the consistency in majority of each statement under the mindset area is having to believe that every student is capable. Every student can learn, and every student can succeed, every student should have access to and opportunity for a high-quality education, and every student should have access to a comprehensive school counseling program (ASCA, 2019).  I already have this universal approach that every student is capable because I am a current teacher. As an educator you must have this same belief of every student in your class can achieve and that you are a leader in your community. Another area that I feel like I have a good knowledge of is professional foundation. Being in this program and having to study and cite the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors have improved my knowledge on a school counselor’s professional foundation.

Areas in need of improvement:

The areas I feel that I need to gain knowledge on are under the Behaviors: Direct and indirect student services. Designing instruction, providing appraisals, providing counseling, and make referrals. An Example I can do to improve on designing instruction is using student, school, and district data to identify achievement, attendance, and discipline issues to be use for creating instruction (ASCA, 2019). As a school counselor for secondary students, I can help students understand the importance of postsecondary education and/or training as a pathway to their career (ASCA, 2019), this will build on providing appraisals. During a counseling session, I can provide specific theoretical intervention strategies to meet the needs of students. To build on making referrals, I can start communicating the importance of school counseling and mental health services.

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

GOAL:

The primary goal of this lesson plan , students will understand the concept of stress, recognize common stressors in their lives, and learn effective stress management techniques to promote emotional well-being.

Challenges:

The age group that I want to work with is high school aged students. I am leaning more towards 11^th and 12^th grade students. I think applying this lesson to my age group would be challenging because of the maturity they have and the ineffective strategies they have already been using for so many years. They may not be receptive towards learning new ways and new strategies due to what they may feel that already works for them.