#wischat Archive
#wischat is a great way for Wisconsin educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Sunday April 10, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to the latest edition of . Tonight's topic is the Role of School Counselors in the Education Process
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We will be following a Q1, Q2 ... A1, A2 format. Remember to include in all of your tweets.
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Please begin by introducing yourself and let us know where you are joining us from tonight.
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John Gunnell, Principal of Jack Young Middle School in Baraboo, Wisconsin
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Q1: What is the current counseling structure at your school? Counselor to student ratio etc.
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My school has approximately 700 students in it. We have two School Counselors and a shared School Psychologist.
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Good evening- Evan Middle School Principal from VA- Happy to be here
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A1 - This year 1.5 for 445 students - next year will be 2.0 for same number
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Q2: What are the main responsibilities of the counselor(s) in your building?
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Hello . I spent 15 years in the before leaving the state. I'm interested to get caught up on my home state.
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A2
Focus on the emotional health of kids- groups- classroom- and individual- not testing and scheduling
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A1 1 counselor for almost 900 students 4K-8th grade. https://t.co/QlloIxRoJx
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Q1: What is the current counseling structure at your school? Counselor to student ratio etc.
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A2 Student Support Team member, Too Good for Drugs grades 5 & 6, individual student support. https://t.co/ZaOIhpX4Xs
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Q2: What are the main responsibilities of the counselor(s) in your building?
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- Yes, they have approx 1000 students and they have three full time counselors.
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Thanks for the info. We have seen the ratio's creep up in TN as well.
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Their primary focus = emotional well being of students, both individual and in small groups. They are also involved in classrooms.
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There is interest helping to promote college at the middle school levels. How could we help you guys get the message out?
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Q3: What role do school counselors play at the classroom level in your school building?
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Granted, I'm out of state. But, I still have connections in roles like mine in WI.
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A3 - classroom guidance sessions and sessions on careers!
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At the classroom level, our counselors work with students on social skills, mental wellness, course selection etc.
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I'm personally motivated to help remove all the college-bound anxiety, and I think earlier is better.
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Do they start pointing toward college that early, or do they get that attention a little later?
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A3 Part of the specials rotation through 4th grade. More individual interactions 5th-8th grade. https://t.co/bMzcFj1Sdh
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Q3: What role do school counselors play at the classroom level in your school building?
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Our School Counselors work closely with our teachers in numerous ways to help kids. I am continually amazed by their efforts.
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- We run some programs to expose middle school students to post secondary education and career pathways.
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The support our counselor gives to students, staff, and parents is unbelievable! She makes such a difference daily.
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If "jacks of all trades" had a true title in the workforce, it would be School Counselor https://t.co/9jgj5fF0hb
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Our School Counselors work closely with our teachers in numerous ways to help kids. I am continually amazed by their efforts.
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Q4 What are some of the essential characteristics of an effective school counselor?
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Is there formal training and expectation to bring it out or do the counselors "have it" when they 1st apply?
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A4 A strong grad program is a good start- empathy, compassion, and great interpersonal skills- with kids
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We are fortunate. Ours had it when she applied, so much that she went from part time to full time.
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- A bit of both. They get formal training, but there are some skills and dispositions that must be innate.
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A4 Strong relationship builder with students, staff, and families. Caring. Active listener. Problem solver. https://t.co/9UG7mXiuDS
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Q4 What are some of the essential characteristics of an effective school counselor?
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Of course, when we're putting out students with that career path in mind, we do our best also. :)
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Do you look for those values during the interview, or would that fall into the "other duties as assigned?"
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A4: Empathetic, caring, non-judgmental, must maintain confidentiality, have a sense of conviction, strong, intelligent, kind.
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It's something you can definitely notice in the interview process.
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- I think that the interview questions should directly relate to the desired skills/dispositions.
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- Hiring a new School Counselor is not a decision to take lightly.
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Intangibles are everything. Take the same curriculum as everyone else and "do something great" with it. https://t.co/FYAtSIb4Pk
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It's something you can definitely notice in the interview process.
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And never should be. Sounds cliché, but lives really depend on it. https://t.co/o1BHSakJex
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- Hiring a new School Counselor is not a decision to take lightly.
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Q5: What are some of the greatest challenges that School Counselors encounter?
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We tell people that the degree will only take you so far. Gotta be great on your own. https://t.co/UOyoBff5mh
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- I think that the interview questions should directly relate to the desired skills/dispositions.
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Q5: Our Counselors are overworked. It's easy for them to get weighed down by all of the difficult situations they have to navigate.
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Is there a way that the local college or Uni could provide your counseling staff some relief? Can we help in someway?
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I big fan of community volunteers in schools. How can you use them to ease burden?
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A5: In high poverty schools, School Counselors can get overrun by all of the needs they are asked to help fill.
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A5: Sometimes teachers get angry when students are "pulled" from class. They may not be aware of what students are dealing with.
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A5 Recognize them for what they do, have conversations to help them prioritize, and support all the time. https://t.co/fwxNnV60LB
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Q5: What are some of the greatest challenges that School Counselors encounter?
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Degrees on the short end are pieces of paper. Entrepreneurial endeavors equal better pay, sometimes.
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- We have used volunteers for some things, but there are some confidentiality issues that may limit what they can do.
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intangibles are the envy of those who haven't found anything other than their degree to offer.
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Have you ever thought about teaming up with a nonprofit organization to fund a position?
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We work closely with community agencies to coordinate our efforts to help kids/families, but honestly, we really need to do more.
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Q6: How can teachers and administrators provide greater support for school counselors?
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Superman in a curriculum https://t.co/9jgj5fF0hb
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Our School Counselors work closely with our teachers in numerous ways to help kids. I am continually amazed by their efforts.
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Bring them lots of chocolate! Seriously, thank them.
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A6 Be involved early in all discussions to provide suggestions and follow through. https://t.co/8ylyyONpsS
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Q6: How can teachers and administrators provide greater support for school counselors?
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I have actually never participated in a Twitter Chat before. I really appreciate your including me in your time .
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A6: It's important to acknowledge the great work that School Counselors do. Staff members need 2b aware of how hard Counselors work.
