The role of the school counselor has experienced many alterations over the years, ranging from a limited capability to one whose application spreads beyond the realm of academics. These modifications were comprehensive and essential. Currently, counseling in school is more than merely the academics and career, but it includes the wellbeing as well as the mental health of the student.
The American School Counselor’s Association (2014) described the role of the school counselors as that of being responsible for evaluating data on their efficiency as well as modifying their methods to ensure that they are valuable to the students. Bradley University (2017) adds that research has shown that students tend to perform better if they have an active counseling program at their schools. Apparently, professional school-counseling services model often tend to mould counselors. It gives them the ability to become exceptional qualified individuals that can address all of students' academic, career and personal or social development needs. The needs can be addressed through designing, implementing, evaluating, and enhancing an inclusive school counseling program that encourages and improves student success (Mau et al., 2016).s
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School counselors are further required to set standards that guide school counseling plans. They should implement approaches as well as activities that will support and help each student maximize their learning abilities. The measures should also help the student comprehend the link between school and the work environment. By doing so, the student will have the ability to plan for as well as make a successful transition from school to the next step in education or into the work domain. The strategy lays a good basis for future endeavors in a student’s life. Aas a matter of fact, the approach should help the student learn how to manage their emotions and also determine their interpersonal skills (American School Counselor’s Association, 2014).
School counselors inspire an assortment of mindsets and behaviors from their students. The counselors also take part in numerous aspects of education and individual development that includes social skills, character building, student planning, single and group counseling, study skills, career and college preparation, crisis intervention, and proactive or preventive program implementation (American School Counselor’s Association, 2014).
Therefore, the role of the school counselor has developed since it first started. What was once a role fixated on getting students out of the classrooms and into their careers, now comprises of so much more. Today, School counselors emphasize behavioral health, emotional health, mental health, and psychosocial development and wellness. Though a school counselor provides the guidance regarding academics and career selection, they also serve a larger purpose in the lives of their students and within the walls of their schools, and they are not restricted to a guidance capacity. Thus, the primary role of a school counselor would be to provide services that ensure a student maximizes their education experience at all levels.
References
American School Counselor Association (2014). Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Bradley University. (2017). In what ways can school counselors positively influence the lives of students? | Bradley University Online. Retrieved from https://onlinedegrees.bradley.edu/resources/articles/the-positive-impact-school-counselors-can-have-on-students/
Mau, Wei-Cheng J.; Li, Jiaqi; and Hoetmer, Kimberly (2016) "Transforming High School Counseling: Counselors' Roles, Practices, and Expectations for Students' Success, "Administrative Issues Journal: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 7.Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/aij/vol6/iss2/7