Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Guidance Department to celebrate National School Counseling Week

From Feb. 5 to 9, the Willowbrook Guidance Department will join in celebrating National School Counseling Week. This year’s theme is "School Counselors: Helping Students Reach for the Stars,” and the goal is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems.

National School Counseling Week is sponsored by American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. During this week, school counselors are celebrated and recognized for the work they do, as well as the role and impact they have on students.

In recent years, the term guidance counselor has evolved into school counselor due to the training school counselors undergo, as well as the multiple roles they play within the school environment. According to ASCA, school counselors create a comprehensive school counseling program that focuses on student outcomes. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

School counselors also enhance the learning process for all students through the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student. Those mindset standards are listed below and guide the development of effective school counseling programs around three domains: academic success, college and career readiness and social-emotional development.

  • Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social-emotional and physical well-being
  • Self-confidence in ability to succeed
  • Sense of belonging in the school environment
  • Understanding that postsecondary education and lifelong learning are necessary for long-term career success
  • Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes
  • Positive attitude toward work and learning

- Source: American School Counselor Association (ASCA), www.schoolcounselor.org

The Willowbrook Guidance Department has been Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) certified for the last five years. The RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. To receive this honor, the counseling department had to complete an application process that involved 12 sections/steps, including establishing a vision, a mission and an advisory council; setting goals; reporting results; providing a reflective evaluation of the counseling program and more. For more information about RAMP, go to www.schoolcounselor.org/ramp.