What's the first thing you think of when you think about your school's counselors and counseling staff? You probably think of the kind faces in your guidance or counseling office, the ones who are always there to help guide and lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. Words like mentor, helper, adviser, guide or even friend probably come to mind. This week was National School Counseling Week, a special week honoring school counselors and providing recognition for school counseling programs— both of which are a vital part of the educational process for students of all ages.
School counselors are an important part of our school communities, and they partner with teachers and support personnel to help create an educational system where students can flourish, examine their talents, strengths, and abilities, plan for the future, and so much more. Educators around the Commonwealth and the nation focus their efforts on improving academic achievement for all students, but it's important to recognize the role that school counselors play with their continuing efforts to reduce barriers to learning and provide the support students need to reach infinite possibilities of success.
School counselors play an important role in our lives, but one of the most crucial responsibilities they have is helping students become college, career, and future ready. Our school counselors and guidance faculty help us to examine our strengths, abilities, interests, and talents when thinking about our future and what college or career path we may want to take. Maybe you are interested in becoming a counselor yourself—we can always use more heroes like them in our schools! Professional school counselors are knowledgeable, certified, experienced educators with a degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience is what makes them such an integral part of our communities.
School counseling is a key component to the system of support for the relationships among our schools, families, and communities that help students to be successful. Meeting the challenges of the 21st century can be hard, but our school counselors are always there to help us through difficult situations or to be a friendly face when we need a little encouragement. Although National School Counseling Week is wrapping up, we can celebrate and uplift our school counselors all year long.
Not sure how to show your appreciation? Start with a simple "thank you!" or "you rock!" next time you see someone from your school's counseling or guidance department. A little recognition can go a long way in showing them you appreciate them and everything they do for you and your fellow students each and every day!