Voice of the School Counselor - Texas Counseling Association

Professional School Counselors:
OUR IDENTITY
By Tammi Mackeben, TSCA Treasurer
Who are professional school counselors? That is a question that is so important to answer for the profession, for the
identity of professional school counselors and ultimately for the success of all students. Professional school counselors hold so
many roles, but the most vital is the role we play in the academic success of all students. School counselors are collaborators,
advocators, guiders and leaders on our campus, city, region, state and nationally.
As professional school counselors in the state of Texas, we are experts in our field. We are masters level professionals
with unique training in human growth and development, training in how to develop, implement and evaluate a guidance and
counseling program, knowledge of multicultural issues and so much more. It is our duty to not only value our special training
and role on a campus and beyond, but also to educate others on the value of a comprehensive developmental guidance and
counseling program on a campus.
Professional school counselors
students are successful. School counand
outside agencies to provide
career services and resources for all
play the role of building teams on
those teams. Parents and staff are
school counselors that assist them
have that impede learning. Although
practice, we realize the value of many
Advocacy is such an imcounselors.
Not only do school
students, but also for the profession of
are in a perfect situation to advocate for
in being advocates to remove barriers that
recognize that a group of students is not
our responsibility to ask the hard questions,
data to the forefront that might be unpopular,
students.
collaborate with stakeholders to assure that
selors work with administrators, teachers
academic, personal, social, emotional and
students. Many times school counselors
a campus and providing leadership to
provided information and education by
in recognizing barriers that students may
as counselors we are competent in our
ideas and solutions to problems.
portant part of the identity of school
counselors advocate for the equity of
school counseling. As counselors, we
the needs of students. Our identity lies
students have in being successful. If we
receiving an equitable education, it is
engage in passionate conflict and bring
but necessary in providing the very best for
School counselors in Texas guide students by teaching skills in Self-Confidence, Motivation to Achieve, Decision
Making and Goal Setting, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Communication Skills, Cross Cultural Effectiveness, and Responsible
Behavior. School counselors must look at data to see what the needs of the campus are and then teach skills to help close
gaps between subgroups of students. Direction through guidance lessons in the classroom, working with groups and working
with individual students, provides students with the skills they will need in school, postsecondary education and in life.
Although collaboration, advocacy and guidance are important, leadership is a trait that defines us as professionals.
We serve as leaders on our campus and district, as well as statewide and nationally every day. The relationship between the
counselor and the administration is vital for school success. We both are leaders with our own specific training and skills to
offer. Leadership is a role that is sometimes uncomfortable for school counselors, but the knowledge, training and skills that we
as school counselors have make it imperative that we step up to the plate and promote student success for ALL students. The
role of a school counselor is significant. When we as school counselors are asked, “Who are you and what do you do?” we
must stand strong and confidently educate others on our identity. If we don’t, who will?
2011 School Counselor Conference
Arlington, Texas
Sunday, Feb. 13 - Tuesday, Feb. 15
The annual School Counselor Conference, hosted by the TSCA Texas School Counselor
Association and TCA Texas Counseling Association combines the former Elementary and
Secondary School Counselor conferences and last year drew over 1,300 professional
school counselors.
Key Note Speaker: Dr. Ed Jacobs
Ed Jacobs, Ph.D. is a professor in the Counseling, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation
Department at West Virginia University, where he has taught for more than 30 years.
He currently is serving as the coordinator of the masters program at West Virginia University.
He also is the founder and director of Impact Therapy Associates which offers private
counseling and 25-30 presentations a year.
Arlington Sheraton - 800.442.7275
1500 Convention Center Drive
Arlington, Texas
Block closes January 28, 2011
Rates: $129/single and $149/double
PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 24, 2011
Pre-Registration Fee: $100 by January 24, 2011
AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! REGISTER AT www.txca.org
AND MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW!
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