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What is school counseling?
School counseling has changed significantly in recent years, leaving many unclear on what exactly school counselors do presently. The development of the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) and MASCA (Massachusetts School Counselors Association) models for comprehensive school counseling programs shifted the way counseling is implemented in schools. In the past, school counselors used a reactive approach – working individually with students as problems arose. Now, school counselors take a proactive approach and integrate their work within the general school curriculum.
While services are tailored to specific student and classroom needs, all students at STEM are exposed to the school counseling curriculum. Counselor activities may include school-wide programming, grade or team-wide classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling as needed, individual student planning meetings, and collaborative consultation with administration, teachers, parents, and other student support personnel. In alignment with the national and Massachusetts models for comprehensive school counseling, the program at STEM focuses on students’ academic/technical achievement, career/college readiness, and social/emotional development. Topics addressed may include, but are not limited to:
School counseling has changed significantly in recent years, leaving many unclear on what exactly school counselors do presently. The development of the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) and MASCA (Massachusetts School Counselors Association) models for comprehensive school counseling programs shifted the way counseling is implemented in schools. In the past, school counselors used a reactive approach – working individually with students as problems arose. Now, school counselors take a proactive approach and integrate their work within the general school curriculum.
While services are tailored to specific student and classroom needs, all students at STEM are exposed to the school counseling curriculum. Counselor activities may include school-wide programming, grade or team-wide classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling as needed, individual student planning meetings, and collaborative consultation with administration, teachers, parents, and other student support personnel. In alignment with the national and Massachusetts models for comprehensive school counseling, the program at STEM focuses on students’ academic/technical achievement, career/college readiness, and social/emotional development. Topics addressed may include, but are not limited to:
- Executive functioning skills (study habits, time management, organization, etc)
- Future planning, including college and career exploration
- Emotional regulation & coping skills (dealing with stress, anger, sadness anxiety, etc)
- Identity formation & self-esteem
- Social relationships (bullying, friendship, peer interactions, dating, etc)
- Responsible social media use
- Gender issues
- Student safety
- Decision making & problem-solving
- And much, much more!!
Is a school counselor the same thing as a guidance counselor?
Yes and no. Generally, the terms are used interchangeably. The term “school counselor”, however, is often preferred to distinguish between the old reactive model of counseling and the new proactive model of school counseling.
Yes and no. Generally, the terms are used interchangeably. The term “school counselor”, however, is often preferred to distinguish between the old reactive model of counseling and the new proactive model of school counseling.
Why do 7th & 8th grade students need a school counselor?
7th and 8th graders’ lives are characterized by change. They face transitions in almost every aspect of their lives (social, academic, physical, emotional, etc) and are at a crucial juncture for school engagement. School counseling programs help to provide students with the encouragement they need to explore and growth in a supportive environment. For more information, please see "Why Middle School Counselors" from the American School Counselor Association.
7th and 8th graders’ lives are characterized by change. They face transitions in almost every aspect of their lives (social, academic, physical, emotional, etc) and are at a crucial juncture for school engagement. School counseling programs help to provide students with the encouragement they need to explore and growth in a supportive environment. For more information, please see "Why Middle School Counselors" from the American School Counselor Association.
How do I contact the school counselor?
At the moment, e-mail is the easiest way to reach Ms. Wentworth. Her address is [email protected] .
At the moment, e-mail is the easiest way to reach Ms. Wentworth. Her address is [email protected] .
How does confidentiality work?
Confidentiality is crucial in helping students feel comfortable in speaking openly with their school counselor. Generally, everything a student discusses with Ms. Wentworth should stay confidential. If there is any safety threat (for the student or anyone else), Ms. Wentworth is obligated to share this information immediately.
In addition to this basic confidentiality policy, Ms. Wentworth puts great effort into balancing students’ right to confidentiality with parents’ right to know about their children’s experiences. She recognizes that parents need to be kept "in-the-loop" and encourages students to communicate openly with their families. She will work in the best interest of all involved to determine how/when information should be shared.
Confidentiality is crucial in helping students feel comfortable in speaking openly with their school counselor. Generally, everything a student discusses with Ms. Wentworth should stay confidential. If there is any safety threat (for the student or anyone else), Ms. Wentworth is obligated to share this information immediately.
In addition to this basic confidentiality policy, Ms. Wentworth puts great effort into balancing students’ right to confidentiality with parents’ right to know about their children’s experiences. She recognizes that parents need to be kept "in-the-loop" and encourages students to communicate openly with their families. She will work in the best interest of all involved to determine how/when information should be shared.
Where can I find additional resources?
Part of a school counselor’s job involves helping students and families connect with the services they need. Under the “Additional Resources” tab, you will find a list of local providers. These providers are not endorsed by the school; rather, this list is simply to help you begin your own search. If you would like to discuss types of services available, please feel free to contact Ms. Wentworth. Under the “Information Worth Sharing” tab, you will also find research and news articles that may be of interest to students and their families.
Part of a school counselor’s job involves helping students and families connect with the services they need. Under the “Additional Resources” tab, you will find a list of local providers. These providers are not endorsed by the school; rather, this list is simply to help you begin your own search. If you would like to discuss types of services available, please feel free to contact Ms. Wentworth. Under the “Information Worth Sharing” tab, you will also find research and news articles that may be of interest to students and their families.