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.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Rewards and Challenges
As I prepared for this post, I created a rewards/challenges list. I would say that they were equal in length. If I had to choose the most rewarding experience a school counselor has it would be watching a high risk student develop academically and socially over the course of their high school years. I think the reason behind my choice is I am a "mama" first and that influences my professional life. On the flip side, I believe the biggest challenge a counselor faces would be meeting the need of ALL students. My high school has an enrollment of 1400. While the number of students are equally divided between 4 counselors, it would still be a major feat to meet ALL the needs of ALL the students. There are many students that fall between the cracks. Counselors have a very long list of responsibilities. If there were a way to add more members to their team, the challenge might be more easily obtained.
I agree with you regarding what you think is one of the biggest rewards of a guidance counselor. Being able to help an at-risk student succeed would be a great accomplishment. I think most of us can identify with that as teachers. It is a extraordinary feeling to be able to help even one student. When you feel you make a difference it makes the job completely worth it. I also agree that counselors have a tough job getting to all the students in their school. We have about 1800 students, so it is hard for counselors to be able to know each student and their needs. I definitely have a greater respect for guidance counselors and the work they do after this assignment.
ReplyDeleteJT