Bilingual HS Counselors? info about the job in general

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Bilingual HS Counselors? info about the job in general

by Lola

Mar 24, 2012

Hi, I'm currently a Spanish teacher, and I have experience teaching multiple subjects including s.s., l.a., ESL and art appreciation. I'm exploring other positions in education that I may want to pursue in the future that may not necessarily be in the classroom, but still working with children. (I've considered administration and curriculum director, but I'm not sure if I have that admin. personality in my bones.) :)

The idea of being a high school counselor has been in the back of my mind for awhile, but I know nothing about how in demand these positions are in IL, and if being bilingual could help me obtain a position. For example, I know that bilingual school psychologists, reading specialists and social workers are in demand.

I know that many Chicagoland area universities offer this as a masters degree, and I realize it's a huge commitment. If anyone could share more info about your job as a counselor, I'd appreciate it. -what a typical day is like -how you made...See More

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sped On 3/24/12, Lola wrote: > Hi, I'm currently a Spanish teacher, and I have experience > teaching multiple subjects including s.s., l.a., ESL and > art appreciation. I'm exploring other positions in > education that I may want to pursue in the future that may > not necessarily be in the classroom, but still working with > children. ...See MoreOn 3/24/12, Lola wrote: > Hi, I'm currently a Spanish teacher, and I have experience > teaching multiple subjects including s.s., l.a., ESL and > art appreciation. I'm exploring other positions in > education that I may want to pursue in the future that may > not necessarily be in the classroom, but still working with > children. (I've considered administration and curriculum > director, but I'm not sure if I have that admin. > personality in my bones.) :) > > The idea of being a high school counselor has been in the > back of my mind for awhile, but I know nothing about how in > demand these positions are in IL, and if being bilingual > could help me obtain a position. For example, I know that > bilingual school psychologists, reading specialists and > social workers are in demand. > > I know that many Chicagoland area universities offer this > as a masters degree, and I realize it's a huge commitment. > If anyone could share more info about your job as a > counselor, I'd appreciate it. -what a typical day is like > -how you made the transition from teacher to counselor (I > know it used to be a requirement to have a teaching cert.) > -how it compares to classroom teaching -is the pay similar > to teaching (part of teaching contract and same salary > lanes) -things you like about your job; things you don't > (you don't have to tell me where you work) > > Thank you, Lola

There is some demand for bilingual counselors, to be able to speak to Spanish speaking students and parents. However, I can't say that there is a huge demand for counselors in general. You would be more attractive than your run-of-the-mill English speaking counselor.

I'm not a counselor, but I've worked with them enough to know a bit. In every district I've worked for, they are members of the teachers' union, have the same pay schedule, and contractual hours. However, many times high school counselors have to work either before the school year begins or after it ends to prepare schedules. You are, of course, paid extra for this.

The counselor job varies widely between districts, or even schools within the same district. I have seen counselors only do schedules and class placement and have minimal contact with students outside of that role. I have also seen counselors lead several groups per day helping students deal with everything from anger management, to college selection, to dressing correctly. Counselors usually have quite a bit to do with standardized testing when that comes around. They are usually the ones passing out tests, arranging make-ups, keeping the materials and so on. When I taught in CPS, we couldn't find enough subs. Counselors were pressed into sub duty at least a couple days a week for most or all of the day. It really just depends...

In some districts, they provide the services a social worker might, sometimes they almost act as another administrator, and in others they are really just paper pushers. It varies widely.

Mar 24, 2012

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