What is the role of a school counselor?

As a school counselor, I have the opportunity to work with all students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community to ensure that all students can achieve academic and social success. School Counseling services are delivered in four specific ways: 

• School Guidance Curriculum - designing, structuring, and delivering classroom lessons designed to achieve specific competencies in all grades PK-5 (personal/social, academic, career) and driven by the needs of the school population 

• Individual Student Planning - assisting students with goal formation/planning (behavioral, academic, etc.) 

• Responsive Services - meeting immediate student needs (counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, peer mediation, information-providing) 

• System Support - school-wide program planning and implementation. As well as consulting with other professionals, coordination of various supports for students and families. 

The No Place for Hate® initiative provides educators and students with the resources to ensure that anti-bias and diversity education are an integral part of the school curriculum.  No Place for Hate® also helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual difference while challenging bigotry and prejudice.  Launched in schools in 2001, the popular initiative has been embraced by hundreds of campuses throughout the Southwest region, including many in the Houston, Austin/Central Texas and El Paso areas.