Post 1: My changed view of the role of Guidance Counselors

After completing the review of the history and review of the Guidance Counselor, my view of the role and responsibilities is essentially unchanged. As a parent of 2 elementary schools, I have had the opportunity to observe the active role and responsibilities of the 2 wonderful counselors employed in my children's school. As an instructor, I have had the opportunity to observe how the counselors at my school interact with the students and the staff. The counselors in my school are always "strapped" for time. The review of the assigned websites helped me to realize that the role of the counselor is so broad and all encompassing that there are major struggles to complete all of the tasks associated with the job. Their role touches the student, the instructor, the administrator, the parent and the community. That is quite a task to accomplish in a large population of students. I had a deep respect for the tasks that counselors assume prior to completing the website reviews. I still do.

The most amazing component to me was the review of the educational requirement to fulfill the M.Ed at GSU and UGA. I was floored to find that candidates are required to complete 700 practicum hours. Although both educational institutions offer the convenience of evening and summer classes, that has to be an extremely burdensome undertaking. When I think about the commitments to family, employment, and social/community involvement, I contemplate how an individual maintains sanity during this educational venture. Overwhelmingly, this has earned the highest esteem for those professionals that are capable of completing the rigors associated with the program requirements. I believe that those rigors help to prepare the counselors for the career demands that are experienced once employed as a school counselor. During a 700 hour practicum, I am sure that the professionals develop skills and interventions that give them the confidence and knowledge to guide the population served. Once again, I possessed a deep respect for the tasks that counselors conquer every day prior to the reviews. I still do
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