Who is the school counselor?

Professional School Counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a master’s degree or higher in school counseling and are uniquely qualified to address the developmental needs of all students.  

What does the school counselor do?

Professional School Counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students’ academic, career, and personal/social development and help all students in maximizing student achievement.

Counselors are specialists in human behavior and relationships, providing assistance to students through four primary interventions: counseling (individual and small group); large group guidance; consultation; and coordination.

Counseling is a confidential relationship in which the counselor meets with students individually or in small groups to help them resolve or cope constructively with their problems and developmental concerns. 

Consultation is a collaborative partnership in which the counselor works with parents, teachers, administrators, school psychologists, social workers, and community health personnel in order to plan and implement strategies to help students be successful in the education process. 

Coordination is a leadership process in which the counselors help organize, manage, and evaluate the school counseling program, and plan enrichment activities to further student development, such as 2nd Grade CAREER DAY.

Developmental Classroom Guidance lessons are provided to foster students’ academic, career, and personal/social development using the QUAVER READY curriculum.

***Classroom lessons are based on TN State Standards which can be found by clicking this link: TN State Standards

Counselors advocate for all students through a collaborative effort with teachers addressing specific needs of the class and school. 

Why does an elementary student see the school counselor? 

A student may see the counselor for a variety of reasons.  Some are:

Decision-making and problem-solving skills

Family concerns

Divorce

Grief

Worries/Anxiety at school

Illness; self or others

Development of positive self-worth

Developing social skills

Any problem that is causing the child concern

How can a student access the services of the counselor?

Self-referral

Teacher referral

Principal referral

Parent referral  https://forms.office.com/r/TjcGN7zat3

Some of the information in this document was adapted from Sharing the Vision: The National Standards for School Counseling Programs by the American School Counselor Association.  www.schoolcounselor.org

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