School counselors are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals, and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of society. High school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s students.
Counselors work in three domains: academic, career, and personal/social. Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- Student academic planning
- Student and family college and career planning
- Interpreting cognitive, aptitude, and achievement tests
- Counseling students who are experiencing distress
- Collaborating with teachers to present counseling or student services information
- Writing letters of recommendation
- Interpreting student records and determining transferable courses for new students
- Advocating for students at individualized education plan (IEP) meetings and learning support team (LST) meetings
- Collaborating with state and local community members on behalf of students
Contact the Counseling Office at 319-558-2233.