Elementary school counselors implement
effective classroom guidance focusing on:
- understanding self and others
- coping strategies
- peer relationships and effective
social skills
- communication, problem-solving,
decision-making, conflict resolution and study skills
- career awareness and the world of
work
- substance education
- multicultural awareness
Provide individual and small group
counseling dealing with:
- self-image and self-esteem
- personal adjustment
- family issues
- interpersonal concerns
- academic development
- behavior modification
- peer facilitation and peer mediation
Provide assessment by helping students
identify their skills, abilities, achievements and interests
through counseling and guidance activities and interpretation of
standardized tests.
Work with specialized populations and
needs that require special attention, such as culturally diverse
populations and students of varying abilities.
Develop students' career awareness as a
lifelong process of forming basic values, attitudes and
interests regarding their future world of work.
Coordinate school, community and
business resources schoolwide guidance-related activities and
extracurricular programs promoting students' personal growth and
skill development.
Provide consultation with teachers,
administrators, school psychologists, school social workers, and
outside agencies and social services concerning the welfare of
the students.
Make appropriate referrals for special
services for students and families within the school and
community. Communicate and exchange information with
parents/guardians by way of conferences, parent education
workshops and newsletters.
Participate as members of the school
improvement and interdisciplinary teams and work as liaisons
with PTA.
Elementary school years set the tone
for developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for
children to become healthy, productive adults. With a
comprehensive developmental counseling program, counselors work
as a team with school. parents and community to create a caring
atmosphere whereby children's needs are met through prevention,
early identification and intervention.
