Maria Arroyo Signature Assignment Cspu 515 Role of The School Counselor 1
Maria Arroyo Signature Assignment Cspu 515 Role of The School Counselor 1
Maria Arroyo Signature Assignment Cspu 515 Role of The School Counselor 1
Maria Arroyo
Brandman University
Professor McSweeney
School counselors are such an important asset in our schools for our students, families,
and staff. According to the American School Counselor Association, “school counselors are
certified/ licensed educators who improve student success for all students by implementing a
comprehensive school counseling program” (ASCA, n.d., para. 1). They are part of the
leadership team that works to enhance student success, in academics, social-emotional, and help
students plan for post-secondary options. This paper will focus on how I view myself as a future
school counselor, and what I aspire to be. It will reflect on my learning experiences,
observations, interviews, and practicum hours. In addition, it will describe how teamwork,
communication, and collaboration with all stakeholders are important for student success.
seriously. First and foremost, it is important that as a mandated reporter I report any suspicion of
abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Keeping our students well being and safety will
always come first. Then comes the importance of confidentiality, I have an ethical and legal
obligation to keep information discussed with the student private unless there is a legal reason to
breach confidentiality. This helps build trust and strong relationships with our students.
creating a school culture of success for all students. School counselors need to be culturally
attitudes, values, and beliefs (ASCA, 2021, para. 5). In addition, we need to address student
achievement gaps, and the impact poverty and social class have on student achievement. Also, as
school counselors, we need to deliver sensitive cultural education and appreciate our diverse
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differences. In addition, to “enhancing cultural competence and facilitating cultural awareness,
To improve student outcomes I will focus on academic skills that help students become
better learners. This past year, many of our students were on distance learning. Some students
were thriving, others were not. Our school counselor took the duty of supporting all of our
families during distance learning by providing tips, resources, and technology assistance that can
Another focus that is important in my career is supporting and educating students on their
social and emotional well-being. In one of my interviews with a current school counselor, she
expresses that mental health is at its peak not only for our students but for our families. She
shared how this pandemic changed many people’s lives drastically. Many families lost their jobs,
their homes, and their loved ones that put a lot of tension and stress on everyone in the home. It
is important that as school counselors we support our families that are experiencing crisis by
providing counseling, community resources, and services that they may qualify for.
For our students dealing with stress, anxiety, and many other difficult circumstances, we
need to provide support by helping them navigate and cope with these difficult emotions or
circumstances. This can be done by educating our students on healthy coping skills,
problem-solving skills, and managing stress and anxiety. My goal is to teach our students these
skills to help them deal with difficult emotions and be able to communicate their needs. This is
where a school counselor may provide classroom lessons, small group counseling, or individual
prevention, and intervention of behaviors that are harmful and place students at risk” (ASCA,
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2017, para. 3). We can prevent at-risk behaviors in our students by having “early warning
systems to identify students who may be engaging in harmful or risky behaviors, as well as
behaviors and promoting student resilience and success” (ASCA, 2017, para. 1). This is where
the importance of collecting data plays in, to help identify the needs of our students and take
action.
exploration, and planning for each student” (ASCA, 2016, para. 9). An example of this is
assisting students with college applications, financial aid, career exploration, and planning life
after high school. The school counselor at my site prepares our elementary students by helping
students explore careers. She asks essential people that work in our community to come in and
talk about their jobs. She will have classroom lessons in career exploration, school field trips to
colleges and universities, and has students dress up as their favorite profession.
Because school counselors are there to support students, families, and staff they need
amazing communication and collaboration skills. They need to be in constant contact with the
whole team from administration to our students and everyone in between. They need to be
assistance, housing, and any other needs students and families may have. For our staff, they may
that some of the qualities they look for in a counselor are resourcefulness, supportiveness,
advocacy, great communication, and collaboration skills. They need amazing interpersonal skills,
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time management skills, and be able to build rapport quickly with our students. They also
mentioned that school counselors can assist district nurses, special education teachers, and school
As a future school counselor, it is my obligation to support all students, staff, and family,
by promoting equity, social justice, and social inclusion. Being a leader and participating fully in
systemic change gets us closer to our goals. The goal is “to improve school climate for all
students' academic, career, and personal/social development by reducing oppressive attitudes that
may contribute to bullying and/or suicide” (Moe, Leggett, & Perera-Diltz, 2011, p. 5). Within my
training, classes, getting certifications, to be the best version of myself personally and as a school
counselor.
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References
American School Counselor Associations. (N.D.). The Role of the School Counselor. Retrieved
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/ee8b2e1b-d021-4575-982c-c84402cb2cd2/Ro
le-Statement.pdf
American School Counselor Association. (2021). The School Counselor and Cultural Diversity.
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio
n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Cultural-Diversity
American School Counselor Association. (2021). The School Counselor and Multitiered Support
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio
n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Multitiered-System-of-Sup
American School Counselor Association. (2017). The School Counselor and the Identification,
Prevention and Intervention of Behaviors That Are Harmful and Place Students At-Risk.
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Positio
n-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-the-Identification,-Preve
American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA Ethical Standards for School
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/Ethical-Legal-Responsibilitie
s/ASCA-Ethical-Standards-for-School-Counselors-(1)
Moe, J. L., Leggett, E. S., & Perera-Diltz, D. (2011). School counseling for systemic change:
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Bullying and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Retrieved August 08, 2021, from
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/vistas/vistas_2011_article_81.pdf?sfvrsn
=e8087596_11