How Do School Counselors Spend Their Days?
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Introduction
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School counselors are valuable assets to the school system, as they are trained to be aware of the various problems and stresses teachers and students face throughout the day.
School Counselors' Work Schedules
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School counselors work the same schedules and have the same holidays breaks as teachers, but they don't always conduct their work on site. Counselors spend a lot of time away from the school attending meetings related to the students they serve.
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Inside the Office of a School Counselor
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School counselors have offices where they interact with students throughout the day. Counselors help children deal with issues like schedule conflicts, personal problems and social and peer-related problems.
Individual Education Program Meetings
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School counselors attend Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings along with parents and other educational staff members such as administrators, special education coordinators and teachers.
During these IEP meetings, school counselors provide specific information related to a child's behavior and development. Counselors help develop behavioral plans and assist other educational professionals in evaluating students' abilities and social development.
Other Job Duties of a School Counselor
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Although dealing with students is a large part of a school counselor's job, she also interacts with an array of professionals such as teachers, psychologists, social workers, administrators and medical professionals.
Depending on whether school counselors are placed in elementary, middle or high school settings, they may go into the classrooms and speak to students about things ranging from bullying to choosing career goals. Counselors may address students as a class, in small groups or on an individual basis.
Elementary-based school counselors work closely with teachers and administrators to address kids' academic and developmental needs.
Interacting with the students and being there to help guide and assist them with problems makes the hectic day of a school counselor worth it.
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- Photo Credit Heriberto Hierrera
