When it comes to your child’s education and school-life, they weren’t kidding when they said ‘it takes a village’. During these tumultuous times and when you’re navigating the unknown, your ‘village’ can be the supportive, caring people that you need in your life. Sometimes you find that ‘village’ at your child’s school-maybe it’s your child’s teacher offering extra academic support or the classroom community you built with other parents offering friendship and/or a place to vent and hopefully, your school has an encouraging school counselor, cheering you on from the sidelines.
Who’s that? A school counselor? Some of you might not know who your school counselor is or that you have one, because California has one of the highest ratios for school counselors in the country (approx. 800 students to 1 counselor compared to the recommended ratio of 250:1). Well, it’s time to find out, because your child’s school counselor might just be the person to add to your village.
Some of you might be saying “wait, do you mean a guidance counselor?” Back in the day and sometimes still today, the title “guidance counselor is used”. However, our roles have changed because our services are no longer directed specifically at “guiding into careers/college” and our services are more comprehensive in nature- social/emotional, academic and college/career.
According to the American School Counselor Association, “gone are the days of school counselors sitting in their office simply handing out college applications, making schedule changes for students who want to drop a class or waiting for a crisis to occur. Today’s school counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career and social/emotional development, ensuring today’s students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.”
School counselors are your child’s cheerleader, advocating for students to be the best they can be by helping them overcome those barriers they face in school, whether it be with their friends, staying on task or displaying positive behavior. Sometimes, they can even be your cheerleader too, providing you parenting strategies to help you set boundaries, navigate the emotional tantrums, and help regulate your child’s emotions.
School counselors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide a proactive program that engages all students by providing social emotional lessons, small skill building groups, and promoting positive school-wide events that promote a positive school culture. They also collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement. School counselors are also a great resource to tie you to community resources such as therapy, parenting support, etc. Think of them as your primary doctor- your home-base of supports, your “coordinator of care”. One of my favorite authors on school counseling, Mandy Savitz-Romer who wrote Fulfilling the Promise: Reimagining School Counseling talks about how school counselors can mirror primary care physicians-like a students’ home base that coordinates all the supports that students may need- connecting you to specialists that can support the student in particular areas.
So if you’re having trouble with your student behaviorally, academically, socially or emotionally- reach out to your school and ask if they have a school counselor. Appropriate questions parents can ask their school counselor at any level are:
- Are there any areas of concerns or delayed development?
- What are my child’s goals for this year?
- What are some suggestions for action at home?
- What programs are available to help my child to do better?
- Does my child get along well with adults?
- Does my child get along well with his/her peers?
- What can I do to improve discipline at home?
- Are there ways I can improve communication with my child?
- What can I expect after a change in the family (death, divorce, illness, financial status, moving)?
- If my child is (running away from home, being disrespectful, having other problems), what should I do?
- What do I do? My child is (sad, not sleeping, not eating, overeating, has temper tantrums, etc.)
- What do I do if I don’t like my child’s friends?
- What resources are available at school?
- What resources are available outside of school?
Amy Dauble-Madigan, M.Ed, NCC is in her eighth year as an elementary school counselor, currently employed by Culver City Unified School District at El Marino Language School. She has previously served on the board of directors for the California Association of School Counselors. Additionally, she teaches in the school counseling program as an Adjunct Instructor at California State University, Long Beach. She frequently provides parent-education workshops to her school community and is a resource for parents, students and school staff. She is passionate about parent empowerment, social emotional learning and advocating for today’s youth to have a positive future.
Twitter: @counseloramybcd