Personal Philosophy

Personal Philosophy of School Counseling Grand Valley- EDI 621 Shawn Bultsma October 7th 2013 Regina White

Personal Philosophy

Todays children are tomorrows future and their key to success is their education. The saying it still true it takes a community to raise a successful student. From birth, learning begins at home while the students are in the presence of their guardians. The moment a student comes into the doors of a school building the responsibility to assist them begins with school administrators. School administrators take on many roles in a students education path, school counselors are just one of them. School counselors assist students at all levels of their education ranging from grade school to high school, assisting them with the skill set to blossom in the future to come. The assistance is not solely for test/college preparation but for life obstacles. The thought of not having school counselors decades ago is frightening. To have students go through life motions without guidance or preparation for what is to come can leave one with many concerns. The responsibilities of assisting the students were solely left to the teachers. However, school counselors are not new to the school systems by far; they have been a part of this team for many years now. During the 1900s, Brewer (1942) identified four important economic and social conditions (division of labor, technological innovations, vocational education and modern democracy) that influenced the rise of educational reform and vocational guidance (Erford, 2009). Over the years the duties of the school counselors have evolved. Many look at a counselor as an accountability partner, role model, and sometimes even a teacher. This assumption can be misleading because a counselor cannot teach and diagnose students according to the guidelines. I believe the term counselor too many people just mean help me with grief, divorce and various issues. I think thats why it is important to know the community in which you are working in. In my opinion, school counselors are in the schools to provide academic development, career development and personal/social development. Society looks to the school administrators to

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assist with the guidance of students, therefore when one take on a career as a student counselor it is expected that they have the students interests as a priority.

All students have voices to tell their stories and where the school narrative focuses on helping students reach high expectations, find care and support, and discover opportunities for participation (Benard, 2004). Being that each student learns and communicates at different levels, and their needs vary, a counselor is a necessity. School counselors are educated in such a way the differ from teachers and other school administrators. School administrators focus on the instructing students and counselors provide students with paths to succeed. Because counselors and teachers education background differs they share the similar focus when it comes to the students education that will present a positive and successful future. I believe school administrators are not clear on the role of school counselors, they see them as another source within the school that will assist them with the students. I recall from a pass experiences when I met my school counselor maybe once or twice. The meeting with my counselor was for me to pick up my schedule at the beginning of the year and to change my schedule. The role of my school counselor didn't register at the time. Further on down the road, after having children my understanding of their responsibilities in my children's lives improved. As history continues a turning point in history occurred between 1997 and 2003, when ASCA published two important documents: ASCAS National Standards for School Counseling Programs in 1997 and The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs in 2003 (ASCA; 2003, 2005). Once such programs became available it provided everyone with a clear definition of the role of a professional school counselor. In the last decade of the 20th century, the school counseling profession began adopting comprehensive school guidance programs that required school organizational changes

Personal Philosophy

and promoted collective learning and a focus on fostering the academic and life success of all students (D, 2002) As I pursue my Masters in School Counseling I believe this is a path that reflects my strength and best interest. I plan to commit to build a respectful goal driven environment for each student, by building a rapport not only with students but with their parents as well. I want to be able to have an open door policy that will allow be in the interest of all students regardless of their education background of life obstacles. Having such an environment will make them comfortable to communicate their concerns in a timely manner. I look forward in utilizing my awareness in working with students that have emotional or behavior problems. I also hope to gain awareness of the various resources that will benefit the students, and to be able to educate them of such resources. Students depend on school administrators to be apart their learning experience and I want to be a key to their success. Every student that comes through my door I hope to that I have been able to impact their lives in a positive way. Students dont expect too much from others but when they receive such sincere treatment and respect, positive behavior will surface. The parents will have constant contact with me to know their child's progress. I do understand all visits with students are not going to be pleasant but with my excellent listening and communication skills I intend on making every encounter with each student a learning experience. Being that I am aware each student learns and communicates at different levels and ways my dedication will contribute to being able to assist the student efficiently and proactively.

I plan on helping each student create a vision of thinking outside the box and being able to see the world in a different light. Being that some students aren't exposing to different environments due to

Personal Philosophy

their upbringing or other situation their thought process may be limited. So with my guidance and determination to bring the best out of every student, success is sure to follow. Sometimes students are just looking for someone to listen and assure them their path is a good one. I will continue to encouraging students about their achievements and helping them add to their list. Although, my role will be to guide the students I will also instill in the students that they are in control of their destiny and every decision or choice made will be reflected in the near future. I look forward in working with parents, teachers, administrators and the community to make sure that my work/ career is contributing in a positive light in the lives on the students in the school system. I hope to be the counselor that every student appreciated not only for the guidance for their future but for the sincere relationship created that opened many doors for them and their success. It takes a village to raise the child and I am willing to take a major role in the school system and community and do just that.

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References

ASCA. (2006). VIRGINIA, ALEXANDRIA, USA: AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION. B, B. (2004). Resliliency. What have we learned. Counseling, P. S. (2009). In B. T. Erford. Austin: Pro ed An International . D, B. L. (2002). School counseling in the 21st century. Personal and professional reflections, 180-185.

Erford, Bradley T. Professional School Counseling: A Handbook of Theories, Programs & Practices. Austin, TX: CAPS, 2009..