Rewards and Challenges

I believe that to see a student(s) become successful should not be based on money, status in life, or material possessions. Guidance counselors are required to guide a student needing educational planning, but quite often social or behavior problems are dominant challenges.  Sometimes a student has all three challenges to overcome.  I do counsel students, and many times it is heart-breaking; any of these challenges lead to lack of self-confidence.  Lack of self-confidence can destroy a students’ ability to overcome other areas that lead to success.  The guidance counselors’ major problem is being able to juggle all the teaching and guidance criteria.  The rewards do happen, seeing a student’s improved grades, a smiling face showing improved confidence, a returning (visiting) student  telling you I decided to go to vocational school, or I am going to college.