dear mr. jones: letters from the school counselor
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Dear Mr. Jones: Letters from The School
Counselor
Exploring the school counselor – principal relationship by
challenging perceptions and exploring the ASCA Model for
School Counseling
2013 NCSMA Annual Conference, Greensboro, NC
March 18-19, 2013
Jo Ann Norman, School Counselor, NCC, [email protected]
Dr. Cathy Tomon, [email protected]
Broad Creek Middle School, Newport, NC
Who’s here?
AdministratorsSchool Counselors
TeachersInstructional Support
A Closer Look at the Principal – Counselor Relationship:A Survey of Principals and Counselors, May 2009
A collaboration of College Board Advocacy, American School Counselor Association and National Association of Secondary School Principals
Why the need for this work?
“All three organizations recognized believe that
understanding the principal – counselor relationship can lead to more effective practices for both principals and counselors, which in turn can lead to better
educational outcomes for all students.”
Important Elements or Potential Barriers to a Successful Principal –
Counselor Relationship
CommunicationRespect
CollaborationShared Vision
Key Findings
Both principals and counselors ranked communication and respect as the two most important elements in the principal – counselor relationship, with principals giving communication higher rank and counselors most frequently selecting respect.
Principals more often mentioned quality of communication while counselors more often mentioned frequency of communication.
Regarding respect, principals more often mentioned respect for their vision and goals while counselors more often mentioned respect for themselves and their expertise.
Time was an often-mentioned barrier to collaboration.
Counselors were more likely to indicate mutual trust between the principal and counselors as “high importance“ yet “less present”.
So, how does “perception” affect the quality of this relationship?
And, what can we do to improve the relationship?
What do you see?
Upon first glance,
what were you
expecting to find?
What do you see?
Does a change in
what you are seeking
change what you find?
PerceptionRecognitionKnowledgeApproachAwareness
It’s A Dog’s Life…
Does Ike’s viewpoint feel familiar?
“you should see what goes on around here”
“Think of all the times I’ve saved you”“Day after day I am forced to perform the
most meaningless tasks”
How does perception affect your approach to
the tasks required?
Do you look for opportunities to be the
“hero”?
How might a difference in principal and school
counselor perception affect counselor effectiveness?
Guidance Counselorvs.
School Counselor
• Is the state curriculum, represented through the Guidance Essential Standards and taught by teachers, school counselors and other school staff in a variety of ways (classroom guidance is but one method of delivery).
Guidance
School Counselor
Is the person who works in your school, making sure the Guidance Essential Standards are delivered and performing duties as recommended by a national delivery model (basis of the newly adopted School Counselor Evaluation)
• A school counseling program based on ASCA’s National Model is data-driven and based on the academic, career and personal/social development standards.
The ASCA National Model
American School Counselor’s
Association (ASCA)
Effective School CounselingPrograms are Built on a Framework of Four Key Elements
Foundation: Program Focus, Student Competencies and Professional Competencies
Management: Program and Counselor Assessments, Use of
Time Assessment, Annual Agreements, Advisory
Counselors, Use of Data, Curriculum, Small Group and closing the Gap Action Plans
Delivery: Direct Student Services
(School Counseling Core Curriculum, Individual Student Planning, Responsive Services;
Indirect Student Services (consultation, collaboration)
Accountability: analysis of data to show impact of counseling program on
attendance, behavior, achievement,
and to plan improvements
What perceptions do you (and/or your school counselor) need to challenge to continue to move your school counseling program forward?
How does principal support affect counselor effectiveness?
Counselors, have you studied ASCA? Have you begun to use some of the tools?
Questions / Comments?