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.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Post 1: My Revised Opinion of the Role of Guidance Counselors
In my limited experience with Guidance Counselors, I have a new perspective after reading the links. I initially just viewed the guidance counselors as people there to assist the students in choosing proper career pathways and possible college or career choices after high school. Now I see that Counselors have the opportunity to affect the high school student in many ways. Not only are they there to help make those very important decisions, but Counselors are trained to assist students in making good choices about life problems as well. They are trained to help in crisis situations at the school and also many other different situations that teenagers face each and every day. They are trained to work with parents, educators, administrators, and leaders in the community. They have can have a HUGE impact on the student's success in high school and affect their successful transition into the world of work.
I agree with you Jennifer. I think that this module was very helpful in that I had the opportunity to learn about the various roles and responsilibties of counselors. Their roles are not limited to scheduling. As I shared in my e-mail to Dr. Burns, they are responsible for crisis intervention. They have involvement with not only students, but parents, administrators, teachers, and the community. I thought that their job was relatively easy. But much to my surprise, they have at times overwhelming responsibilities. They help with financial-aid and scholarships. They plan career and college fairs. They play a role in standardized testing. They even intervene as needed with attendance and discipline issues. Their education and training is extensive as well.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. When I posted my Post after doing the research, I thought wow...I left off so many things. I had no idea how much counselors have to do. I could not believe that I missed all of the things pertaining to grief counseling, and mediation. I should have remembered that seeing that last year the counselors were involved in a lot of the situations I had with some rebellious seniors. I will really keep these things in consideration the next time that I have a complaint.
ReplyDeleteI also agree. Counselors are very inspiring individuals. They are responsible for several different task within the school systems. We as teachers never know the different obstacles that they face daily. We all impact the lives of students but they are able to do so at such a different level than us teachers. Sometimes I think we take them for granted but after researching this maybe we will all have a new outlook!
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