Tuesday, February 8, 2022
National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) and American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is being celebrated this week (February 7-11, 2022). We honor the work of school counselors, recognize their contributions, applaud their commitment to students and education, and thank them by promoting and ensuring their role allows them to effectively support the growth and development of all students.
School counselors are champions of children. Every day, they show up in schools all over Wisconsin to support the academic, social-emotional, and career development of students.
Their role has evolved over time from its inception following the launch of Sputnik in 1957, when the school counselor position was primarily to "guide" students to math and science fields. According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the expanded role led to the title change from guidance counselor to a school counselor in 1990 to reflect the varied and significant ways that school counselors impact all students' educational experience and success.
The impact of school counselors occurs through Comprehensive School Counseling Programs implemented by school counselors. School counselors can be seen presenting classroom lessons, running small groups, providing individual counseling support, advising, collaborating, consulting, and caring for students, families, and staff. The school counseling role incorporates both prevention and intervention supports and strategies to ensure that all students benefit from school counseling services and the opportunities available through the educational system and its partnerships.
School counselors are advocates and leaders. They work tirelessly on behalf of the student, school, and system to create safe environments, equitable access and opportunities, connections between learning and life, and remove barriers to learning and growth. School counselors serve all stakeholders supporting students, families, guardians, staff, administrators, community service providers, therapists, and social workers, to name a few. They are uniquely positioned to create optimal conditions and connections to best serve students on their journey through the educational system.
When school counselors are provided the opportunity to focus primarily on these direct services to students and appropriate role responsibilities (ASCA) for which they are trained and have the expertise, their impact is undeniable.
Thank you, Wisconsin School Counselors. You make a difference - every day.
Subscriber submission: Andréa Donegan, School Counseling Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction