National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is being celebrated from Feb. 5–9 to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career awareness in post-secondary options and social/emotional skills,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., ASCA executive director. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."
More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week's festivities. Here in St. John the Baptist Parish, we will be saluting our own counselors Jennifer Russell of ESJE, Tai Cambre of ESJH, Demecca Jones of ESJH, Carol Mills of ESJH, Elizabeth Leatherwood of ESJH, Sharell Warren of ECW, Renisha Oubre of FEW, Stanley Alexis of GMMS, Amanda Bourgeois of JLO, Mechelle Terrio of LES, Jennifer Vial of LPE, Veta Parker of WSJH and Bertha Spivey of WSJE.