Addressing the Needs of All Students

Grand Canyon University

SCN-505

Aguirre, Melissa

August 23rd, 2023

 Addressing the Needs of All Students

The role of a dedicated school counselor is to acknowledge the significance of cultural

competence, advocacy, and obtaining leadership skills in order to address the diverse needs of

students. Aligning with the ASCA ethical standards and the position statement on school

counselor and cultural diversity, a school counselor fosters equity in schools and the community

by improving their skills and knowledge. Following and implementing these standards can

ensure students will be provided with the tools necessary to be successful beyond the classroom.

A school counselor assumes the role of a mentor, advocate, and guide to both academic and

social/emotional success (ASCA, 1992).

Roles of advocacy and compassion

Advocacy and compassion are essential components when addressing the needs of a

diverse population. Advocacy includes voicing the rights of marginalized individuals, while

compassion fosters empathy and understanding (Anita et. al.,2015). When school counselors can

combine advocacy and compassion in their everyday practice, it creates a school environment

that promotes inclusivity and ensures equity by providing access to opportunities for all students.

Professional resources

Academic articles and national reports are two of the most used professional resources

for identifying issues. The article by Sue & Sue (2016), Counseling the Culturally Diverse:
Theory and Practice, provides an overview of the importance of cultural competence when

fostering positive relationships and outcomes. This is an essential resource for school counselors.

Next, national US Department of Education reports offer data on enrollment trends, achievement

gaps, and language diversity. National reports help school counselors stay informed on current

issues that may require targeted support in the short and long term (2010).

Strategies and Interventions for diverse student needs

A few strategies that may be used to address student needs can be a cultural awareness

presentation, counseling, creating peer support groups, and working with different community

resources available to students and their families. A cultural awareness presentation can educate

students, staff, and parents about the different cultures in our community, promoting empathy

and understanding of the diverse backgrounds surrounding our community. In addition,

providing counseling ensures effective communication and support for our students, giving them

a safe school environment and creating a sense of belonging.

Professional development opportunities

A school counselor must actively participate in professional development opportunities to

enrich cultural competence, refine advocacy skills, and learn how to meet our students' diverse

needs better. Two professional development opportunities are culturally competent workshops

that provide practical tools to improve the ability to navigate cultural differences and provide

support (Nelson et. al., 2008). The other professional development opportunity is enrolling in a
cultural immersion program. These programs help deepen your understanding, enhance empathy,

and help develop connections with students from diverse backgrounds.

Professional Mentor and Support

My professional mentor, to my surprise, is a teacher coworker. He showcases cultural

competence, leadership, and advocacy skills in their professional practice because he is aware of

the diverse needs of the students. For example, he shows cultural competence by routinely

ensuring students understand the required content; sometimes, this includes translating parts of

the content to allow students to learn the material by eliminating their barriers. Additionally, he

is a mentor to others and advocates for better resources to guarantee student academic success. In

addition, he can offer his support in various ways, such as informing me of students who might

need extra social and emotional support. Furthermore, to uphold the principles of the ASCA

ethical standards and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive school environment, I can use

my mentor, enhance my cultural competence, and use my leadership skills to provide equity in

school, as I will work diligently to meet the diverse needs of my students.

 Resources

American School Counselor Association. (1992). Ethical standards for school counselors. The

school counselor, 84-88.

Anita, Y., Dollarhide, C. T., & Amber, B. (2015). The voices of school counselors: Essential

characteristics of school counselor leaders. Professional School Counseling, 19(1),

2156759X1501900101.

Nelson, J. A., Bustamante, R. M., Wilson, E. D., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2008). The school-wide

cultural competence observation checklist for school counselors: An exploratory factor

analysis. Professional school counseling, 11(4), 2156759X0801100401.

Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory

and practice. John Wiley & Sons.

National Center for Education Statistics. (2020). The Condition of Education 2020.