What does an Elementary Guidance Counselor do?

The most important role of the Elementary Counselor is to be

an advocate for students

as they strive to meet the challenges and demands of the school system.
All activities of the counselor are based upon providing a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program (ASCA National Standards).

What are those activities?

The Elementary Counselor...

Visits classrooms

Teaches lessons about:
respecting yourself and others
identifying your feelings
solving problems peacefully
making friends and getting along with others, and other such topics

Meets with students individually and in a group for a variety of issues such as:
family changes
grief/loss
anger/self-control
friendship/social skills
self-confidence
stress management
goal-setting

Talks with parents
Talks with teachers

Talks with students who are feeling:
sad, happy, angry, afraid, hurt

Teaches parenting classes

Participates on a staff team oriented towards student support and coordinates outside referrals to professionals

Interviews new students for admission

Meets with students who are internationally mobile

Listens to students, parents, and staff

Is a friend to students, parents, and staff