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Counselors Chatboard

Grief

by Lue

Mar 27, 2012

What do you say to a child who has lost a parent for example a child whose parent has gone off to war and been killed?

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Leah You may find the following short list helpful

Mar 30, 2012

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Should I go into Counseling?

by Esorem

Mar 28, 2012

Hello,

I am looking for insights into what it's really like to be a school couselor, at all levels. Please share what is most rewarding about your job- what gives you the most satisfaction? Also, please share what is least rewarding and most frustrating. What does the day-to-day job really involve? Why did you get into this profession and ...See More

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Ishwar Dear folks,

I'm also very interested in this field, and I would love to hear your thoughts. I'm wrestling with similar questions.

I was enrolled in a doctoral program in social psychology until recently. I sought a career in academia for the opportunity to mentor undergrads and grad students, to lend support and nurture growth--...See MoreDear folks,

I'm also very interested in this field, and I would love to hear your thoughts. I'm wrestling with similar questions.

I was enrolled in a doctoral program in social psychology until recently. I sought a career in academia for the opportunity to mentor undergrads and grad students, to lend support and nurture growth--but I realized that mentoring was but a small fraction of a professor's job. I'm thus drawn to counseling because I take pleasure in being a catalyst for growth, in helping people get to where they want to go. Few things are more gratifying to me than providing the assistance people need to meet their goals. I'm enamored with the idea of helping people meet their potential.

Most of my work since I graduated college in 2009 has been strictly research-focused, but I think I have experience that might be relevant. I spent over a year working on an employment intervention for gang-affiliated juvenile delinquents in Los Angeles, and I was selected to be a Resident Advisor in college, though I declined the position. I also graded therapists in multisystemic therapy (MST) for youths at risk, an approach that emphasizes one's fit in his or her familial and community context.

I've read some discouraging things on this forum, and this has made me second-guess whether being a school counselor will be a good fit.

I am not interested in treating mental illness so much as helping people reach their potential. This is why I am not exploring social work or clinical or counseling psychology. I would be satisfied with being a "first responder" to people with mental illness, listening with appropriate care, and referring them to other professionals.

I'm a little wary of the various age groups I might be working with-- I believe I'll be more comfortable with young adults (e.g., high school and above) rather than children. If I am not comfortable around children, should I not pursue a school counseling degree, given that I may be asked to work with students in elementary and middle school?

I value one-on-one relationships, learning about people, and lending them a hand however possible--that's how I operated when I was a doctoral student. I was deeply invested in the welfare of my colleagues, almost to the point that I neglected to work on my own projects. And I would enjoy working with students of ALL backgrounds and levels, not just the top performers who apply to brand-name colleges. Indeed, while the college application process is probably important, I don't really look forward to that as much as the other things a school counselor could do: researching enrichment opportunities, identifying and overcoming barriers to academic success and personal development, etc.

So would a school counseling degree be a good place to start? Even if being a school guidance counselor per se might not be the best fit, would the degree open up other opportunities (e.g., academic advising at colleges)? And with the experience I've described here, have I prepared myself adequately to apply? If not, how I can bolster my credentials?

I would truly appreciate your thoughts on this as I struggle to move forward with my life. I have no idea to what degree I'm romanticizing this field, and I have no idea if I'll even be competent in this profession (e.g., I have no teaching experience, I am a poor public speaker, and I do not converse well in groups).

Thank you very much! I look forward to hearing from you all.

Regards,

Ishwar

May 22, 2012

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Long Timer I've been a school counselor for 14 years and I've only worked with elementary and middle school children. I've wanted high school for the past three to four years (looking to branch out) but there haven't been any openings in my school district. So where you would land depends on what is available where you live.

With each level there are...See MoreI've been a school counselor for 14 years and I've only worked with elementary and middle school children. I've wanted high school for the past three to four years (looking to branch out) but there haven't been any openings in my school district. So where you would land depends on what is available where you live.

With each level there are many "Duties as assigned" that you may not want to deal with...cafeteria duty, bus duty, etc. Often teachers will not let a child out of class to see you. Keep in mind the primary focus of a school is for kids to learn therefore seeing the counselor is considered secondary.

But with that said, I do feel like I make a difference in the lives of many kids.

Hope this helps a little.

On 5/22/12, Ishwar wrote: > Dear folks, > > I'm also very interested in this field, and I would love to hear > your thoughts. I'm wrestling with similar questions. > > I was enrolled in a doctoral program in social psychology until > recently. I sought a career in academia for the opportunity to > mentor undergrads and grad students, to lend support and nurture > growth--but I realized that mentoring was but a small fraction of a > professor's job. I'm thus drawn to counseling because I take > pleasure in being a catalyst for growth, in helping people get to > where they want to go. Few things are more gratifying to me than > providing the assistance people need to meet their goals. I'm > enamored with the idea of helping people meet their potential. > > Most of my work since I graduated college in 2009 has been strictly > research-focused, but I think I have experience that might be > relevant. I spent over a year working on an employment intervention > for gang-affiliated juvenile delinquents in Los Angeles, and I was > selected to be a Resident Advisor in college, though I declined the > position. I also graded therapists in multisystemic therapy (MST) > for youths at risk, an approach that emphasizes one's fit in his or > her familial and community context. > > I've read some discouraging things on this forum, and this has made > me second-guess whether being a school counselor will be a good fit. > > I am not interested in treating mental illness so much as helping > people reach their potential. This is why I am not exploring social > work or clinical or counseling psychology. I would be satisfied with > being a "first responder" to people with mental illness, listening > with appropriate care, and referring them to other professionals. > > I'm a little wary of the various age groups I might be working > with-- I believe I'll be more comfortable with young adults (e.g., > high school and above) rather than children. If I am not > comfortable around children, should I not pursue a school > counseling degree, given that I may be asked to work with students > in elementary and middle school? > > I value one-on-one relationships, learning about people, and lending > them a hand however possible--that's how I operated when I was a > doctoral student. I was deeply invested in the welfare of my > colleagues, almost to the point that I neglected to work on my own > projects. And I would enjoy working with students of ALL backgrounds > and levels, not just the top performers who apply to brand-name > colleges. Indeed, while the college application process is probably > important, I don't really look forward to that as much as the other > things a school counselor could do: researching enrichment > opportunities, identifying and overcoming barriers to academic > success and personal development, etc. > > So would a school counseling degree be a good place to start? Even > if being a school guidance counselor per se might not be the best > fit, would the degree open up other opportunities (e.g., academic > advising at colleges)? And with the experience I've described here, > have I prepared myself adequately to apply? If not, how I can > bolster my credentials? > > I would truly appreciate your thoughts on this as I struggle to move > forward with my life. I have no idea to what degree I'm > romanticizing this field, and I have no idea if I'll even be > competent in this profession (e.g., I have no teaching experience, > I am a poor public speaker, and I do not converse well in groups). > > Thank you very much! I look forward to hearing from you all. > > Regards, > > Ishwar > >

Jun 2, 2012

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Counseling jobs Altanta & metro Atlanta Areas

by autumnrain

Mar 29, 2012

Hi Atlanta Counselors, I am a special needs teacher in Atlanta with certifications/endorsements in several areas. I also have a master's degree and Ed.S. in special education. I've got 18 years of teaching experience. I am currently working on an additional master's degree in school counseling and will finish in December 2012.

I am getting...See More

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What do administrators need to know about us?

by Susan

Mar 29, 2012

I have an assignment for a graduate level class that I would like to get your responses to. Thanks for your help!! The question (which I have to write a short paper about) is:

What do you think administrators need to know about special programs in today’s schools?

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Needin' some lovin'

by Single Intl. Teacher

Apr 1, 2012

Ok, I've been teaching overseas for a few years now and love the lifestyle with the HUGE exception of never having anyone to date. I'd love to get married but am afraid if I stay overseas I'll wind up being an old maid. In fact, I'm 44 years old so I'm already an old maid according to some people. Anyone else experiencing the same frustration? Wres...See More

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huh? Yeah you may want to think about moving then.

Apr 1, 2012

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Leah Yeah you may want to think about moving then.

I agree. WIth all of your experience you should not have trouble finding a teaching position

Apr 3, 2012

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Counselors as test coordinators

by CRCT Hater

Apr 20, 2012

So how many of you counselors, elementary specifically, are the test coordinator for your school?

The thought of having to do this when I eventually become an elementary school counselor makes me want to throw myself in front of a bus.

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Brian Yes, Especially at the Elementary School you will be totally consumed with the state testing. In our state the students Grade 3 through 6 sit the test three times even if they reach proficiency on the first try. So it doesn"t allow for anything else during those times which often can be spread over 2 to 3 weeks. A train might be better.

O...See More

Sep 27, 2012

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Cal-Kid On 4/20/12, CRCT Hater wrote: > So how many of you counselors, elementary specifically, are > the test coordinator for your school? > > The thought of having to do this when I eventually become > an elementary school counselor makes me want to throw > myself in front of a bus.

I was a middle school counselor, now retired,...See More

Nov 5, 2012

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Promethean board lesson

by Monica moore

May 15, 2012

I am looking for lesson plans for the pro board for k-12. Are there web sites out there to get lesson plans?

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here's a short motivational video counselors are showing

by Randall

May 23, 2012

I wrote this motivational story. It touches on "Where will you live?" (you are building it now!). Any feedback greatly appreciated...I'm about to have my second story on bullying and self-esteem animated. Thanks, Randall [link removed]

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Guidance Programs

by JAR

May 24, 2012

Does anyone have any good programs for guidance classes that you use? I am in a K-8 school. I'm wrapping up my second year as counselor and looking ahead to next year. So far I have not used any specific program. I work with middle school students on suicide prevention and Individual Learning Plans. Both are required by the state. For the K- 5 stud...See More

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lacey I haven't tried any canned programs. I've had much success from pulling lessons from various resource books and websites. I usually adapt them in someway to create Promethean lessons (smartboard type lessons) as my students respond best to using the board. First look at your standards and see what you are already meeting with what you have. Then yo...See More

May 30, 2012

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Counselor C I, too, found that searching a variety of materials and then creating a lesson plan from scratch was the way to go. It seemed that when I purchased a "canned" program I had to adapt it so much that it was better to simply write my own. I would suggest creating a needs assessment whereby your students (and perhaps teachers or parents) can tell you t...See MoreI, too, found that searching a variety of materials and then creating a lesson plan from scratch was the way to go. It seemed that when I purchased a "canned" program I had to adapt it so much that it was better to simply write my own. I would suggest creating a needs assessment whereby your students (and perhaps teachers or parents) can tell you the topics they feel they need the most help with. Then simply Google the term and see what you come up with. For example, I found that students were running out of time on their assignments very often or were failing to bring in homework. I Googled "time management" and found several articles and online tools. Then I was able to teach some time management techniques to students and their parents. I would also suggest "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Students." This book is great for students and they seem to enjoy it, plus it teaches life skills that are very important. You can adapt each chapter to create your own lesson plan if it's not in the budget to buy a copy of the book for all of your students.

On 5/30/12, lacey wrote: > I haven't tried any canned programs. I've had much success > from pulling lessons from various resource books and > websites. I usually adapt them in someway to create > Promethean lessons (smartboard type lessons) as my students > respond best to using the board. First look at your standards > and see what you are already meeting with what you have. Then > you can seek out lessons to meet those you are not meeting as > well. For elementary level I love Diane Senn's books, using > children's literature and art activities, and inspiration from > schcounselorblog.com. > > On 5/24/12, JAR wrote: >> Does anyone have any good programs for guidance classes >> that you use? I am in a K-8 school. I'm wrapping up my >> second year as counselor and looking ahead to next year. >> So far I have not used any specific program. I work with >> middle school students on suicide prevention and Individual >> Learning Plans. Both are required by the state. For the K- >> 5 students I have just used individual lessons. I do have >> a two day lesson I do with Kindergarteners to introduce >> myself and my role as a counselor. I have inherited a lot >> of programs, but they are all pretty dated. I have Second >> Steps and Steps to Respect. Does anyone know anything >> about them? Are there any other programs you would >> recommend?

Aug 16, 2012

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What is your day-in-the-life?

by Alexis

Jun 1, 2012

I am trying to find my passion- and think that it may be school counseling. I am starting a Master's program and my very first class is "Professional Issues in Diverse Schools". The main question we are working to answer is "What is a school guidance counselor?"

I am really interested in how the job differs in countries, regions of the US,...See More

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school counselor I work as a counselor in a urban area in the North East. We have 1200 students in a 6-8th grade middle school. We have approximately 34 languages spoken and the majority of our students are Hispanic and African American. The majority of our students (at least 80% qualify for free and reduced lunch, about 50% are covered by private health insurance)...See MoreI work as a counselor in a urban area in the North East. We have 1200 students in a 6-8th grade middle school. We have approximately 34 languages spoken and the majority of our students are Hispanic and African American. The majority of our students (at least 80% qualify for free and reduced lunch, about 50% are covered by private health insurance) Currently I am an 8th grade counselor.

The major issues that we face here is bullying and cyber bullying. Our students don't know how to deal with any kind of conflict which results in numerous fights, police being called and students being arrested. Lack of motivation is another issues. My students are going to be "docters" "layers" and "vetrinarians." They all think that they will make it big as "AXTresses" "signers" or pro sports players. Ironically they are the same kids who refuse to change for gym and do not participate in music. If parents and the community (city) don't value education, how can we expect our students to.

In a typical day I am the counselor, the nurse, the diciplinarian, substitute teacher, hall monitor, lunch room attendant, attendance rep and secretary. We get to do some group work, some individual work and some class work. We have 4 counselor in my school and it feels like we all are almost constantly putting out fires.

The school day ends at 315 and we are all here after the fact putting together paperwork, documenting and making phone calls. 3 days this year I felt like I actually got to do my job as a counselor! I like my job, I like the students and I like m y teachers. Good luck to you!! Any questions please let me know.

On 6/01/12, Alexis wrote: > I am trying to find my passion- and think that it may be > school counseling. I am starting a Master's program and my > very first class is "Professional Issues in Diverse > Schools". The main question we are working to answer is > "What is a school guidance counselor?" > > I am really interested in how the job differs in countries, > regions of the US, urban vs. rural, etc, and would love to > collect a series of vignettes, of "A-day-in-the-life". > > If you all would be so kind, please answer a few short > questions: > > > 1) What is your school's full name (or if you don't want to > give full name, some descriptors: region of US/country, > urban vs. rural, SES, racial diversity of students, etc) and > what grades do you work with? > > 2) What would you say are the biggest issues/challenges in > your school? (e.g., bullying, academic motivation, ESL, etc) > - Are there issues that are specifically related to the > student's age? community? > > > 3) What does a day-in-the-life look like? What are your > major roles and responsibilities? > - How is your time split between working with the student > body as a whole and working with individual students, group > counseling?

Jun 13, 2012

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CC For the last several years I worked in a suburban area in the south, with approximately 1100 students 6th-8th grade. I served as the 7th and 8th grade Counselor. Roughly 80% of our students' parents have at least a Bachelor's degree. The majority of students are white, with approximately 30% African American or Hispanic.

I agree that most...See MoreFor the last several years I worked in a suburban area in the south, with approximately 1100 students 6th-8th grade. I served as the 7th and 8th grade Counselor. Roughly 80% of our students' parents have at least a Bachelor's degree. The majority of students are white, with approximately 30% African American or Hispanic.

I agree that most of the days in the life of a School Counselor are spent putting out fires. Though I had a schedule of students I would like to actually counsel during the day, the majority of my time was spent on administrative/clerical/secretarial tasks, all of which were always deemed as "extremely urgent" due to State guidelines, Board of Ed expectations, or time constraints. I also substituted in the classroom often for teachers who needed to step out for any number of reasons. Students regularly dropped in both between and during classes in order to ask questions that they already knew the answers to; generally the Counselor's office was used as a place to get out of class. Visiting the Counselor's office was also seen as a "badge of honor" for some reason; among the students it was accepted that you were more "mature" if you had "issues" that the Counselor needed to help you resolve. I found that classroom guidance and group counseling were seen as a very low priority by the teachers, administration, parents and even students. In general it seemed that everyone wanted the Counselor to be the person who could drop everything and resolve a problem immediately.

About 75% of my day was actually spent with parent emails, phone calls, letters/notes, etc. Generally parents wanted to complain, unfortunately. Complaints about teachers, classroom practices, grading guidelines, State school calendars, truancy policies, etc. were the bulk of the problem. I often spent an hour or more per day with each parent, trying to explain that school operates the way it does for a reason. This made the job very difficult and most Counselors I know had the same experience.

I have since resigned from my position and taken a job as more of a therapist rather than a Guidance Counselor. It helps me focus on what I actually was trained to do as a Counselor rather than putting out fires all day.

On 6/13/12, school counselor wrote: > I work as a counselor in a urban area in the North East. We > have 1200 students in a 6-8th grade middle school. We have > approximately 34 languages spoken and the majority of our > students are Hispanic and African American. The majority of > our students (at least 80% qualify for free and reduced lunch, > about 50% are covered by private health insurance) Currently I > am an 8th grade counselor. > > The major issues that we face here is bullying and cyber > bullying. Our students don't know how to deal with any kind > of conflict which results in numerous fights, police being > called and students being arrested. Lack of motivation is > another issues. My students are going to be "docters" > "layers" and "vetrinarians." They all think that they will > make it big as "AXTresses" "signers" or pro sports players. > Ironically they are the same kids who refuse to change for gym > and do not participate in music. If parents and the community > (city) don't value education, how can we expect our students > to. > > In a typical day I am the counselor, the nurse, the > diciplinarian, substitute teacher, hall monitor, lunch room > attendant, attendance rep and secretary. We get to do some > group work, some individual work and some class work. We have > 4 counselor in my school and it feels like we all are almost > constantly putting out fires. > > The school day ends at 315 and we are all here after the fact > putting together paperwork, documenting and making phone > calls. 3 days this year I felt like I actually got to do my > job as a counselor! I like my job, I like the students and I > like m y teachers. Good luck to you!! Any questions please > let me know. > > On 6/01/12, Alexis wrote: >> I am trying to find my passion- and think that it may be >> school counseling. I am starting a Master's program and my >> very first class is "Professional Issues in Diverse >> Schools". The main question we are working to answer is >> "What is a school guidance counselor?" >> >> I am really interested in how the job differs in countries, >> regions of the US, urban vs. rural, etc, and would love to >> collect a series of vignettes, of "A-day-in-the-life". >> >> If you all would be so kind, please answer a few short >> questions: >> >> >> 1) What is your school's full name (or if you don't want to >> give full name, some descriptors: region of US/country, >> urban vs. rural, SES, racial diversity of students, etc) and >> what grades do you work with? >> >> 2) What would you say are the biggest issues/challenges in >> your school? (e.g., bullying, academic motivation, ESL, etc) >> - Are there issues that are specifically related to the >> student's age? community? >> >> >> 3) What does a day-in-the-life look like? What are your >> major roles and responsibilities? >> - How is your time split between working with the student >> body as a whole and working with individual students, group >> counseling

Aug 16, 2012

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