Blog #5 The ASCA National Model

In reading the case study it really reiterates to me that a school counselor will need to do a lot of educating of others and their role as a counselor. I feel as though more people (parents, students, and school district employees), then not do not understand the full role of a counselor and all of their responsibilities. I have heard and read about this multiple times and it is reiterating to myself when I start as a counselor one of my roles will be to slowly as well as continually keep educating others what I am there and will do for the students, faculty, and parents. It is upsetting that so many people still have the view that counselors are not needed and that they are only “extra baggage” in a school that do not contribute to the students’ success. A challenge that I am going to face and want to do it in a firm and loving manner is to promote the role and expectations of what my job is in the building as well as for the district. The four main themes of the Model are important to know and understand as well as to be able to explain to others. I feel as though the explanation part is essential to find the perfect way to let others know without sounding as though you are being demeaning. The themes highlight the purpose and nature of the work that a counselor needs to do. I like how the 5 steps are laid out as a template and are very specific that can be followed. Leadership goes hand in hand with advocacy and is a form of how you can be a leader by educating with passion. Any effective team must always work collaboratively no matter what field you are in. If you can’t work well alongside of your colleagues then there is a great need to adjust to work more efficiently with each other for the benefit of others that you are affecting. As a counselor I really hope to constantly analyze the effects of what I am doing so that the students, teachers, and parents are benefiting from what I am doing. If I become inactive in what I am analyzing and doing than other students may not be benefiting as much as they could be by my efforts as a counselor. I feel as though I do a nice job of analyzing the data of how well my students are doing now with improving with their reading and writing scores that I hope that I continue to do that as a counselor. Dollarhide, C. & Saginak, K. (2012). Comprehensive School Counseling Programs: K-12 Delivery Systems in Action (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.