VALDOSTA — National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 2–6, 2015, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
In a proclamation, Valdosta Mayor, John Gayle cited school counselors for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ social/personal, educational and career development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree or higher in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
More than 32,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Valdosta City Schools and Lowndes County Schools are fortunate to have school counselors available in every school in both systems who provide Comprehensive School Counseling Programs to students.
As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, Valdosta City School and Lowndes County School Counselors met with mayor Gayle for a proclamation where the mayor thanked them for their service to our community and noted that school counselors have a direct impact on the future growth of the greater Valdosta/Lowndes County area work population and economics as they counsel and guide students to remove barriers to academic learning so students can graduate and be successful in post-secondary options of college, careers or military service. The counselors then attended a collaboration meeting sponsored by Valdosta State University Department of Psychology and Counseling.
On Friday, January 30th, First Lady Michelle Obama recognized school counselors in an event held at the White House to honor school counselors across the nation. Her message was clear that school counselors are key leaders in the education system as they help prepare our Nation’s youth for college access by providing support and guidance in schools beginning at the elementary level.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. Founded in 1952, ASCA supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they not only achieve success in school but are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. The association, which is the school counseling division of the American Counseling Association, provides professional development, publications and other resources, research and advocacy to more professional school counselors around the globe.
