Running Head: ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR 1

Role of the School Counselor

Maria Arroyo

Brandman University

CSPU 515: Practicum Counseling Intervention

Professor McSweeney

August 10, 2021

ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
2
Role of the School Counselor

School counselors are such an important asset in our schools for our students, families,

and staff. According to the American School Counselor Association, “school counselors are

certified/ licensed educators who improve student success for all students by implementing a

comprehensive school counseling program” (ASCA, n.d., para. 1). They are part of the

leadership team that works to enhance student success, in academics, social-emotional, and help

students plan for post-secondary options. This paper will focus on how I view myself as a future

school counselor, and what I aspire to be. It will reflect on my learning experiences,

observations, interviews, and practicum hours. In addition, it will describe how teamwork,

communication, and collaboration with all stakeholders are important for student success.

As a future school counselor, I view myself taking my roles, and responsibilities

seriously. First and foremost, it is important that as a mandated reporter I report any suspicion of

abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Keeping our students well being and safety will

always come first. Then comes the importance of confidentiality, I have an ethical and legal

obligation to keep information discussed with the student private unless there is a legal reason to

breach confidentiality. This helps build trust and strong relationships with our students.

Additionally, as a school counselor within my school counseling program, I will focus on

creating a school culture of success for all students. School counselors need to be culturally

responsive and sensitive in their counseling by being knowledgeable in differences in culture,

attitudes, values, and beliefs (ASCA, 2021, para. 5). In addition, we need to address student

achievement gaps, and the impact poverty and social class have on student achievement. Also, as

school counselors, we need to deliver sensitive cultural education and appreciate our diverse
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
3
differences. In addition, to “enhancing cultural competence and facilitating cultural awareness,

knowledge, and skills of all personnel” (ASCA, 2021, para.5).

To improve student outcomes I will focus on academic skills that help students become

better learners. This past year, many of our students were on distance learning. Some students

were thriving, others were not. Our school counselor took the duty of supporting all of our

families during distance learning by providing tips, resources, and technology assistance that can

support students learning at home.

Another focus that is important in my career is supporting and educating students on their

social and emotional well-being. In one of my interviews with a current school counselor, she

expresses that mental health is at its peak not only for our students but for our families. She

shared how this pandemic changed many people’s lives drastically. Many families lost their jobs,

their homes, and their loved ones that put a lot of tension and stress on everyone in the home. It

is important that as school counselors we support our families that are experiencing crisis by

providing counseling, community resources, and services that they may qualify for.

For our students dealing with stress, anxiety, and many other difficult circumstances, we

need to provide support by helping them navigate and cope with these difficult emotions or

circumstances. This can be done by educating our students on healthy coping skills,

problem-solving skills, and managing stress and anxiety. My goal is to teach our students these

skills to help them deal with difficult emotions and be able to communicate their needs. This is

where a school counselor may provide classroom lessons, small group counseling, or individual

counseling to assist and support students.

Another important role we have is to assess and support in “providing identification,

prevention, and intervention of behaviors that are harmful and place students at risk” (ASCA,
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
4
2017, para. 3). We can prevent at-risk behaviors in our students by having “early warning

systems to identify students who may be engaging in harmful or risky behaviors, as well as

developmentally appropriate, culturally sensitive interventions and supports addressing those

behaviors and promoting student resilience and success” (ASCA, 2017, para. 1). This is where

the importance of collecting data plays in, to help identify the needs of our students and take

action.

Furthermore school counselors “provide and advocate for postsecondary awareness,

exploration, and planning for each student” (ASCA, 2016, para. 9). An example of this is

assisting students with college applications, financial aid, career exploration, and planning life

after high school. The school counselor at my site prepares our elementary students by helping

students explore careers. She asks essential people that work in our community to come in and

talk about their jobs. She will have classroom lessons in career exploration, school field trips to

colleges and universities, and has students dress up as their favorite profession.

Because school counselors are there to support students, families, and staff they need

amazing communication and collaboration skills. They need to be in constant contact with the

whole team from administration to our students and everyone in between. They need to be

knowledgeable about community resources in mental health, behavior, academics, financial

assistance, housing, and any other needs students and families may have. For our staff, they may

support with classroom management, interventions, Individual Education plans, behavior

intervention plans, and professional development.

Effective school counselors need strong leadership skills. My colleagues expressed to me

that some of the qualities they look for in a counselor are resourcefulness, supportiveness,

advocacy, great communication, and collaboration skills. They need amazing interpersonal skills,
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
5
time management skills, and be able to build rapport quickly with our students. They also

mentioned that school counselors can assist district nurses, special education teachers, and school

psychologists by assisting with difficult cases, students, and families.

As a future school counselor, it is my obligation to support all students, staff, and family,

by promoting equity, social justice, and social inclusion. Being a leader and participating fully in

systemic change gets us closer to our goals. The goal is “to improve school climate for all

students' academic, career, and personal/social development by reducing oppressive attitudes that

may contribute to bullying and/or suicide” (Moe, Leggett, & Perera-Diltz, 2011, p. 5). Within my

profession I will continue to be a lifelong learner, by continuing my education, participating in

training, classes, getting certifications, to be the best version of myself personally and as a school

counselor.
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
6
References

American School Counselor Associations. (N.D.). The Role of the School Counselor. Retrieved

August 10, 2021, from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/ee8b2e1b-d021-4575-982c-c84402cb2cd2/Ro

le-Statement.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2021). The School Counselor and Cultural Diversity.

Retrieved August 05, 2021, from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio

n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Cultural-Diversity

American School Counselor Association. (2021). The School Counselor and Multitiered Support

of Systems. Retrieved August 03, 2021, from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio

n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Multitiered-System-of-Sup

American School Counselor Association. (2017). The School Counselor and the Identification,

Prevention and Intervention of Behaviors That Are Harmful and Place Students At-Risk.

Retrieved August 07, 2021, from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio

n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-the-Identification,-Preve

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School

Counselors. Retrieved August 10, 2021, from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilitie

s/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)

Moe, J. L., Leggett, E. S., & Perera-Diltz, D. (2011). School counseling for systemic change:
ROLE OF THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR
7
Bullying and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Retrieved August 08, 2021, from

https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/vistas_2011_article_81.pdf?sfvrsn

=e8087596_11