Download COUNSELING A Good Way to Grow?

SCHOOL COUNSELING
"Helping children to become all that they are capable of being."
Created by Tammy P. Roth, MEd
Licensed School Counselor
“Today’s young people are living in an exciting
time, with an increasingly diverse society, new
technologies and expanding opportunities. To
help ensure that they are prepared to become
the next generation of parents, workers,
leaders and citizens, every student needs
support, guidance and opportunities during
childhood, a time of rapid growth and change.
Children face unique and diverse challenges,
both personally and developmentally, that have
an impact on academic achievement.
– “Toward a Blueprint for Youth: Making Positive Youth
Developmenta National Priority,”
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What Is
Classroom Counseling?
Classroom counseling lessons are taught in the regular
classroom setting to all students in each grade level
throughout the school year to help students gain an
awareness of self, others, and the world around them. The
focus of classroom guidance and counseling are to foster
students’ academic, social, emotional and career development
through a planned series of guidance activities. Specific
topics may be addressed in different grade levels.
The goals and objectives for the classroom counseling
program can be found in the Morris Area Elementary School’s
Classroom Counseling Scope and Sequence.
Topics
• understanding self and others;
• coping strategies, relaxation, and stress
management;
• peer relationships and effective social skills;
• personal safety awareness;
• career awareness and the world of work;
• substance abuse awareness education;
• multicultural awareness
• communication, problem-solving, decisionmaking, conflict resolution, and study skills.
What Is Group Counseling?
Group counseling is offered to provide
additional services to children with
common needs or concerns. Groups meet
for a few times to few weeks for 30
minutes each time. Group size is usually
between 3 and 8 children.
Types of Groups Offered
Include
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Friendship Skills
Personal Adjustment
Anger Management Skills
Interpersonal Concerns,
Academic Development
Behavior Modification
Self-Image and Self-Confidence
Family Issues such as Separation, Divorce, Grief and
Loss
 If you have any questions or requests, feel free to contact your licensed
school counselor.
What Is Individual Counseling?
The licensed school counselor works
with individual students to help them
better understand their concerns
and problems, to better understand
themselves and others, and to work
toward
positive
educational,
personal, and social development.
Who Do Elementary School
Counselors Help...
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Boys and Girls
Parents/Caregivers
Classroom Teachers
Other Educators
Administrators
Elementary Counselors
Help Boys and Girls
• Individually and in groups with their concerns,
plans, goals, and achievements.
• Understand themselves and others to strengthen
cooperation and interactions.
• Establish and maintain healthy relationships with
others
• Learn decision making and interpersonal skills.
• Learn a shared language at school to communicate
w/ educators and each other.
• Gain optimum benefit from their school experience.
Elementary Counselors
Help Parents
• Learn about their child's growth and
development.
• Individually, to appreciate their child's
abilities, limitations, and progress in school.
• Encourage a home atmosphere for emotional
security and personal growth.
• Participate in parent education groups to
further enhance parent-child relationships.
• Increase knowledge and skills by sharing
information.
Elementary Counselors
Help Classroom Teachers
The licensed school counselor consults with
teachers to evaluate behaviors and
individual needs of students, to assist in
enhancing the total development of the
students and to implement interventions to
enhance student success.
Elementary Counselors
Help Other Educators
The licensed school counselor is an
educational consultant who is available to
meet with other educators who have
questions or concerns about
students. All educators collaborating to
provide the most effective learning
atmosphere schools can offer.
Elementary Counselors
Help Administrators
•School climate
•Behavioral management plans
•School-wide needs assessments
•Student data and results
•Student assistance team building
Counselors Work to Promote
Growth In
• Understanding of self and confidence in daily interactions.
• Positive attitudes toward self, family and community
• Communication skills in relationships with peers, family,
neighbors, and school staff
• Motivation for success in school and community activities.
• Decision making skills involving exploration of alternatives
and realization of consequences
• Career awareness for future planning
• Emotionally healthy school learning climate
• Cooperation between home and school.
• Community resource programs for students, family and
school personnel.