Why Elementary School Counselors?
Elementary school is both an exciting and extremely important time in a child's life. Child are being introduced to school for the first time while beginning to develop new skills and continue to fine tune acquired skills. Children are learning and developing decision making skills, communication skills, and character values. Elementary school counselors assist in identifying and addressing any academic and social/emotional needs a student may have as they grow and develop. By identifying and addressing students' needs barriers to learning can be removed and students can achieve academic success. School counselors are an integral part of the education team.
"Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, school counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success" (American School Counselor Association, http://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/why-elementary-school-counselors). |
What services do School Counselors provide?
- Individual and small-group counseling
- Lunch bunch groups to develop peer relationships and social skills
- Individual/family/school crisis intervention
- Conflict resolution
- Classroom guidance lessons
- Consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, and parents
- Academic support
- Referrals for outside services
When and where does school counseling take place?
Mrs. Yack works closely with the classroom teachers to determine when and where services will most benefit the student. If the student needs to be pulled out of the classroom, then Mrs. Yack and the classroom teacher determine an appropriate time when the student will miss minimal to no instructional time. These times could include snack time, bathroom time, any flex time worked into the schedule, SSR/D.E.A.R., or a small portion of Science, or Social Studies. Mrs. Yack will not pull students out of the classroom during Language Arts, Math, Specials, or Recess. Any instruction that the student misses will be made up. Mrs. Yack and the classroom teachers are in constant communication, so if there is problem with the pull-out time, the schedule can be adjusted immediately. If the student requires Mrs. Yack to push-in (me in the classroom with the student), then Mrs. Yack and the classroom teacher determine the most appropriate and beneficial time for the student.
Mrs. Yack has a private office where most school counseling services take place.
Mrs. Yack has a private office where most school counseling services take place.