In the quiet corners of our lower campus, SJHHS school counselors juggle the needs of over 550 students each. These counselors share a deep connection with each student and understand their needs, aspirations, and their challenges.
Counselors are not only shaping brighter futures one student at a time, but advising hundreds of students under a range of a few last name letters, and additionally all four grade levels throughout the entire school.
Every year, the first week of February honors our school counselors with National School Counseling Appreciation Week, highlighting the importance of their role in school environments.
To celebrate at SJHHS, ASB made individual posters for each counselor, the administrative team sent emails and verbal appreciations, and the guidance administrators even treated the councilors to lunch.
Even with a special part of the year dedicated to celebrating the hard work of our school counselors, they still don’t receive the recognition and appreciation they deserve.
What many people may not know about school counselors is that they play an extremely significant part in the educational world. They have just as rigorous and impactful a job as any teacher.
Support systems and many other major specialties that benefit students are the exact criterias guidance individuals provide. Each counselor achieves a Masters in School Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) credentials to help them with academic, college and career, or social emotional topics. Their focus is not just guiding students to graduate, but supporting them further.
Not only do counselors work in-depth with students year round, but additionally with teachers, parents, and other members of their school and community. They work vigilantly to provide resources to help ensure the best nature of their students and their success.
As a school counselor, it can sometimes be a tough job, and an overworking schedule. Almost everything they do goes unnoticed. The level of responsibilities and help that they provide each student on an interconnected level would be a surprise to most.
School counselors often help students with typical situations such as getting through a rough day, fostering conversations between both academic and domestic environments, or calling important interventions if a student is struggling with their classes.
But what’s most impressive is how every counselor attempts to get to know each and every one of their kids individually, even with the large number of students they have.
“My counselor made me feel very comfortable and actually listened when I last spoke with her. It’s really reassuring to know I have someone who truly wants to help me succeed,” said Leisha Manchanda (10).
Not only do guidance advisors have the opportunity of forming bonds and relationships with students, but they also have the ability to go beyond the point that some teachers or other school staff can’t surpass.
School counselors have a pivotal role in providing safe spaces for many different things. It consists of areas in emotional and mental health, inclusivity, managing crises, or even preventing bullying.
These efforts often go underlooked beneath the mounds of schedule changing emails, attendance issues, and school policies. The almost habitual tasks that counselors do tend to overshadow the other extensive jobs they thrive in.
“A few years back, the [CUSD] district made the decision to convert all academic advisors into school counselors. To do this, they went back to school for their Masters in School Counseling and PPS credentials…now as school counselors they focused on the social emotional component as that was not part of their jobs while being academic advisors,” said Principal Cina Abedzadeh.
Guidance counselors are more than just counseling professionals, but also trusted role models, friends, and advocates for students.
Whether it’s during the chaotic times of college application season, or choosing new classes as an incoming freshman, counselors can not only provide support for the stressful feelings students may experience, but on how to manage their journey of navigating through highschool.
To show appreciation towards your school counselor, you can do a variety of things to show recognition for their constant hard work.
Simple things such as making your counselor a personal card, writing a heartfelt email, sending them flowers, or just simply stopping by their office to share how much you appreciate and acknowledge them. Telling them how you see their constant support can make a huge difference in making them feel both valued and respected.
