National School Counseling Week Consulis

Happy National School Counseling Week! It is times like these where I feel truly blessed to be among such caring, empathetic, and creative individuals in our profession. As the theme says, we truly are "Better Together." I am grateful for our organization and the collaboration and support it provides. However, our national week is a bit different than appreciation weeks for other professions. ASCA defines this as a week to "highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success." It is not only an opportunity to celebrate ourselves and peers, but also to advocate for our (evolving and often misunderstood) profession.

In recent years we have seen ASCA stress the transition from guidance counselor to the all-encompassing title of school counselor -- school counselor most accurately reflects the roles we perform. This title calls us to
be more proactive, data-driven, embrace our role as a leader, and develop comprehensive school counseling programs for ALL students.

Shining a Spotlight on School Counselors by Sarah Stiglianese

In the July/August 2021 ASCA Magazine, there was a great article entitled "Find Your Light" by Sweety Patel. It offers simple ways we can shine a spotlight and advocate for our profession and role as school counselors.https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Magazines/July-August-2021/Find-Your-Light

1. Market your work through building-wide advocacy, connect with state and national school counseling associations, join committees, present at conferences, and extend your unique school counselor voice on social media. Let your admin, students, families, colleagues, and fellow school counselors hear about the amazing work you're doing! 

2. Embrace your leadership lens! Never forget: you play a valuable role on your school's leadership team. We can use data and results to determine need, execute our goals, and share results of how students are better because of our programs. 

3. Look inward and engage in self-reflection. Patel writes that in our profession "we inevitably have to incorporate our own life and experience into our work." Investing in our own self-care is essential to putting our best foot forward for our students, our schools, and most importantly, ourselves.

So this week, take time to celebrate YOU and all of your accomplishments as a school counselor. If you remember from our first newsletter, extend yourself some grace. It's okay if you're feeling tired or if giving 100% right now looks different for you than it has in the past. Acknowledge all of the hard work, dedication, and effort you put into serving your schools and your students. Don't forget to practice self-care and take time to rest -- you deserve it!