- Professional school counselors have a master's or higher degree in school counseling from a state-approved school counselor preparation program, and they have been certified as a professional school counselor by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. They are professional educators with specialized training in academic, career, and personal/social development as well as mental health. Their preparation program includes: human growth and development, social and cultural diversity, assessment, career development and training, helping relationships, group work, counseling program development, implementation, evaluation, and enhancement, legal and ethical standards, plus more. The comprehensive counselor program is an integral part of a school district's total educational program. It is developmental by design and includes sequential activities organized and implemented by professional school counselors with the active support of parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and the community. As a developmental program, it addresses the needs of all students by facilitating their academic, personal/social, and career development as well as helping create positive and safe learning climates in schools. At the same time, the program assists students as they face issues and resolve problems that may prevent their healthy development. Professional school counselors spend 100% of their time providing all students with preventative and responsive activities and services delivered through four interrelated program components.
- Guidance Curriculum
- School counselors work closely with teachers by teaching lessons involving these topics:
- character education
- self-awareness
- positive mental health
- social skills
- conflict mediation/problem solving
- study habits
- quality relationships
- respect for self and others
- diversity
- bullying
- safe and healthy choices
- educational and career planning
- Individual Planning
- Working closely with parents, school counselors provide effective educational and career-planning services that help all students that:
- are organized around personally valued educational and career goals
- promote participation in relevant co-curricular and community activities
- provide seamless transition
- Responsive Services
- School counselors assist students who have unique needs (including those who may be experiencing barriers to academic success) through:
- individual counseling
- small-group counseling
- consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators, and community agencies
- school-based referral
- community-based referral
- System Support
- School counselors manage the counseling program and support other programs in the school through such activities as:
- program evaluation
- school improvement involvement
- consultation and collaboration
- professional development
- community outreach
- Section 504 coordinator
- Statewide Testing Coordinator
- Caring About Nutrition Backpack Coordinator
- McKinney-Vento Homeless building contact
- Assist in planning class list for each school year