School Counselors

1. School Counselors …are certified/licensed educators trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address the needs of all students inthree major domains:

2. academic • personal/social • career

3. School Counselors… • implement comprehensive school counseling programs that promote and enhance student achievement. • serve a vital role in maximizing student achievement by incorporating leadership, advocacy and collaboration. • promote equity and accessibility in services. • support a safe learning environment .

4. We also… • work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. • collaborate with other stakeholders to promote student achievement. • address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs. • promote and participate in the development of school counseling programs based on four areas:

5. 1. Foundation Identify personal beliefs and philosophies as to how all students benefit from the school counseling program by creating a mission statement, supporting the school’s mission, to promote the three major domains.

6. 2. Delivery • School guidance curriculum (systematically presented structured lessons) • Individual student planning (systemic activities to establish personal goals and develop future plans) • Responsive services (prevention and intervention activities meeting immediate and future needs of students) • System support (management activities)

7. 3. Management Incorporate organizational processes and tools: • agreements with administrators • establish advisory councils • use student data to affect systemic change • action plans for prevention and intervention services • use of calendars as information means • allotment of 80% of counselor’s time in direct service with students

8. 4. Accountability Demonstrate the effectiveness of the school counseling program in measurable terms: • report on immediate, intermediate, and long-range results • use of data, program audits • evaluation based on standards of practice

9. “What do counselors do?” The more important question is… “How are students different as a result of what school counselors do?”

10. Change-- --to undergo transformation, a transition, to make or become different, to shift one’s means of conveyance; to grow.

11. transform, differ, grow…

12. Are you willing to become a change agent?

13. Lafourche Parish School Counselors

14. …working together to put it together!

15. Michael J. LefortSchool Counselor Coordinator • Licensed Professional Counselor (S) • National Certified Counselor • National Certified School Counselor • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist • National Certified Psychologist Lafourche Parish Schools P.O. Box 879 805 East 7th Street Thibodaux, LA 70302 Phone: 985.435.4696 FAX: 985.435.4634