What has changed in my impression of a counselor is the depth of knowledge and range of job descriptions they must be adept in. Looking at the history, it has gone from one thing to another but looking at what a counselor is expected to be responsible for today seems to be a culmination of all of it through the ages: guidance, vocational interests, including assisting students with the social, personal and educational aspects of their lives, being non-directive yet spending more time in guiding special needs students. To have to be the liason between community and school, assisting everyone from teachers, parents and students is more to me than one person can do well. On top of it all, it is preferred they have a teaching background? I would agree that the best counselor is one who once taught the students they will guide.
In some countries, I saw that the counselor is required to teach in addition to their counseling duties. One description in the reading described the 'counselor' at our school. In an IEP meeting last week the question of her title came up. The parent asked, "...who is the counselor", she said, "I am". They asked, "Well who is the assistant principle then?". She said, "that's me too, along with several other things". It is awful that our jobs (especially counselors) must be so multi-faceted. I don't think their time should have to be split between paperwork or administrative duties versus assisting the needs of students.
Learning about all of this makes me understand why there has always been multiple counselors. It baffles me that this sector would be downsized so heavily because of the value of what they do.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
1 comment:
I agree. I believe you said it all Chef Tiffany. I couldn't believe all the roles either. Sometimes I think I can't do one more "job requirement" but I don't have it nowhere near as tough as they do. I knew ours stayed very busy all the time and until now I didn't realize all they really have to do under their title as counselor. Our couselors have to send out Advisement Lesson Plans every Thursday for us to cover with our assigned groups. Those lesson plans have to take a long time to develop. That in itself would be very hard for me to complete aside from all the other duties they have on them.
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