Changed Impressions

I must admit my ideas of a Guidance Counselor was completely wrong. As I read the history of Guidance Counseling, the early years fit my idea of a guidance counselor. I thought their main objective was helping students to meet graduation requirements and post high school planning. I didn't think I was that old, but I remember it was the counselors you went to for help with career goals and deciding if you needed to go to college for that goal or vocational training. It was my counselor who helped me decide which "elective" best suited my career goals, as early as middle school. After reading the article, the counselors' role felt more like a school social worker. So I know better understand why at schools where students and families have many socioeconomics challenges, counselors spend the majority of their time "putting out" (or "preventing") fires. I've only taught at schools with challenges, my last school in California had a 98% free and reduce lunch population. I was always disappointed that the school didn't spend a enough time with college fairs, SAT prep, college scholarship or financial aid workshops , and a host of other things I thought would help the students post high school life. I know understand their roles gear toward student problems like;–personal, academic, and social. Although career issues are on the list of responsibilities, I can see how it takes a back seat to the students' other personal problems