What is a School Counselor?

WHAT IS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

A school counselor is a professional member of the school staff, who has been trained to address the personal, academic, and career concerns of students in New York State Schools.

School counselors are certified educators who assist all students, parents, teachers, and administrators.  The primary role of the school counselor is to help students as they seek to identify and achieve personal goals, as well as academic goals.  The school counselor is an advocate for students.

School counselors work with students individually or in groups, and with parents.  School counselors counsel, consult, and coordinate.  They refer families to other resources within the school and community when necessary.  The school counselor is a resource for all students and their families and can be a source of support.

The role of the school counselor is to assist students with any

issue or concern that they might have.  They are there to listen to students and help them find solutions.  As educators, they can teach children social skills, friendship skills, and how to solve social dilemmas.