#Guidance counselor salary professional

High school counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges and financial aid, provide guidance to help students make decisions about their future, and present career workshops.Ĭounselors at this level continue meeting with students individually and in small groups, communicating regularly with parents to address any concerns and creating behavioral management plans. High school counselors tend to be more focused on advising students in making academic and career plans, as well as personal problems that may interfere with their education.

High school counselorĭuring these adolescent years, students are evaluating their strengths, skills, and abilities, and are strongly influenced by their peers. School counselor curriculum may include subjects such as social skills, substance abuse education, career exploration, and academic skills support. As with elementary school counselors, middle school counselors also work closely with school administrators, teachers, and parents. Successful middle school counselors have a strong understanding of adolescent psychology and are able to build trusting relationships with the students. Middle school is an important time because students are transitioning from childhood to adolescence and are searching for their identity and relying on peers more for understanding and approval. Middle school counselors work with students in grades six to eight to develop the skills and strategies necessary to succeed academically and socially. The work involves meeting with students individually and in small groups, communicating regularly with parents to address any concerns, creating behavioral management plans, and identifying at-risk children and developing success plans.

School counselor curriculum may include subjects such as study skills, goal-setting, behavior management, problem-solving, and diversity awareness. They work closely with school administrators, teachers, and parents to effectively respond to challenges presented by a diverse student population.Ī counselor at this level wears many hats and deals with school-related problems, home concerns, and the health and physical development of all of the students.

#Guidance counselor salary professional

However, some counseling duties can vary greatly, depending on the level of the student population.Įlementary school counselors are professional educators with mental health training who work with children in kindergarten through grade five. There are many constants within the counseling profession, regardless of the level of education. Today’s professional school counselors provide leadership in creating safe and supportive learning environments and play an integral role in the school’s educational program.

Emotionally stable and able to handle stress well.

Able to work with all types of personalities.

Maintaining and coordinating school records.

Measuring and reporting the effectiveness of school counseling programs.

Counseling students individually and within small groups regarding educational issues and personal or behavioral problems.

Teaching students and staff about topics such as bullying, drug abuse, and college and career planning.

Delivering school counseling curriculum in partnership with other professional educators in classroom and group activities.

Using individual assessment tools to evaluate students’ abilities, interests, and personality characteristics.

Using organizational assessments and tools to evaluate the school’s counseling needs.

Reporting possible cases of neglect or abuse and referring outside sources for additional support.

Creating comprehensive school counseling programs that focus on student outcomes and are focused around three domains: academic, career, and personal/social development.

They also regularly hold small group sessions or workshops, and even present in school assemblies. School counselors mostly meet with students individually. A counselor usually reports to the school principal. Depending on the district and position, they may work a ten- or eleven-month schedule. In general, counselors work a full-time schedule, in accordance with the school’s operating calendar. They continue the development of the whole child by advocating for their students and connecting school curriculum to real-life career opportunities. Counselors help students beyond the curriculum, attending to the mental and social stability of the youth in schools. School counselors are an invaluable resource to education. At-a-glance: professional school counselorsĪ school counselor may work at any level of education: elementary, middle, and high school, as well as college, at both private and public schools.