School Counselors (by Last Name)
A-K Terry McCord (ext. 2603)
L-Z April Rein (ext. 4378)
What do counselors do?
Every staff member works to guide students to make good decisions, adjust, and help students become successful. Your counselor is the one staff member responsible for leading, facilitating, and coordinating the efforts of others to help you personally-socially, academically, and career wise. School counselors are educators trained in professional counseling and in how to identify and respond to the developmental needs of all students. They work closely with others in the school to provide or arrange for programs and services students need. Counselors plan learning activities and experiences that help you develop knowledge, attitudes, and skills that prepare you to meet the challenges in your life now and in the future. School Counselors also suggest changes in school procedures based on your experiences.
What is a school counseling program?
A comprehensive counseling program is provided to help you develop and reach your fullest potential. The goals of the program are to assist every student to become a respectful, responsible, resourceful, and responsive young adults by -
· becoming more aware of your characteristics and understanding yourself.
· thinking and feeling more positively about yourself and what life has to offer.
· learning to make judgments and decisions that are right for you.
· accepting new responsibilities.
· understanding, respecting and accepting others for who they are, and their right to have their own ideas, feelings, and needs.
· creating relationships that are mutually respectful.
· behaving in a responsible and appropriate manner.
· adjusting to and succeeding in school experiences.
How can couseling help me?
Counseling is one of the services of the comprehensive program and may occur individually or in small groups of students. Counseling can focus on personal and relationship issues, academic related issues or future career issues. It is the process of sharing your ideas, feelings, actions, concerns and choices with someone who cares about you and is trained to listen and respond in ways that will help. School Counselors must take special care of the information you share with them. The specifics are considered private and are not shared with others except when there may be danger to the safety and well-being of yourself or others, or if others who are responsible for you need to know.
Counseling can help you
· resolve conflicts and improve your relationships with teachers, family members, friends and your peers.
· discover how to make new friends.
· understand and respect the ideas rights, needs, and feelings of others.
· learn to express your own ideas, and feelings and still treat others in a respectful manner.
· learn how to stand up for yourself in situations without putting others down.
· understand and accept changes in your physical and sexual development.
· learn to respect yourself as you are and gain confidence in yourself.
· understand and gain control over situations that are confusing or about which you are worried or upset.
· learn how to adapt and adjust when things don’t go the way you would like.
· use mistakes in judgment as valuable learning experiences.
· work through the steps to make a decision.
· identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
· become more positive, optimistic, successful, and happy, and feel more encouraged and energized.
· striving to be your best and to enjoy learning.
· understanding and valuing the role of work in our lives
· becoming aware of how your personal characteristics, interests, abilities, and in-school and non-school experiences help to create your future.
What can I expect?
You can expect your school counselor to be:
· someone who will listen and respect what you have to say
· someone who can help you to identify and understand the issues involved and to see the complete picture
· someone who will help you to gain a new, different, or more accurate perspective from ideas, information, or material made available to you.
· someone who will help you to identify the options available at a certain point, and help you consider the likely consequences of choosing each option.
· someone who will help you explore the things that you value to better understand what is important to you and what you want to happen.
· someone who will help you with support and encouragement as you make a decision, planning how tot put your choices into action, and accepting responsibility for yourself.
· A friend, confidant, and advocate for your best interests!
How can I contact my counselor?
School counselors sometimes come to classrooms and lead activities to help you gain information you can use now and in the future. Sometimes they will ask to see you to get to know you better and help out. But you don’t have to wait for your counselor to contact you. Stop by their office before or after school, between classes , or at other times when you have a question, a concern, or just want to talk. If your counselor is busy at that time, you can leave a message that you would like to see them and they will send for you when they are available.
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