School counselors assist students in their academic growth and development in a variety of ways. They facilitate individualized course planning based on student goals, and work to establish opportunities that meet identified student needs. School counselors collaborate with administrators, teachers and school staff on maintaining an environment that encourages academic success, and developing relationships with parents and the community.

The Notre Dame school counselors support students’ academic development through:

1. 1. Scheduling annual individual student sessions to facilitate relationship building and development of holistic goals–physical, academic, spiritual, wellness, and any additional personal goals
   2. Individual and group course advising
   3. Development of long term course plans with ongoing evaluation
   4. Working with administrators and faculty on evaluation and ongoing development of the curriculum to meet a variety of student needs and abilities
   5. Collaborating with the Learning Consultant regarding student 504s and IEPs
   6. Facilitating students’ internal exploration through personality-based career tests and discussion
   7. Informing students of local, state and national opportunities for external career exploration and leadership / interpersonal development
   8. Teaching students how to access and utilize resources available to them to build their skills to navigate processes necessary for their post-secondary goals

To allow the class counselors to focus on their caseload, the director curriculum is the coordinator for a number of programs: the A+ Program; Advanced Placement (AP); all testing–PSAT/NMSQT, Test Prep ACT, and ACT; and SEMO and SLU dual credit.

School counselors help students with career exploration and post-secondary planning. We can all remember those days in our childhood when we were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Answers may have ranged from teacher to police officer and from doctor to astronaut. For some, the idea of their dream job or career may stay fairly consistent through the years. Others, however, may change their minds multiple times and need some guidance on figuring out their strengths and interests as well as which postsecondary educational and career paths will best fit their personalities and needs.

School counselors can fill this role of helping students to explore a variety of educational and career options. Through one-on-one discussions, classroom presentations, and the use of resources, school counselors give students the tools they need for college planning and career exploration.

Here are some of the ways counselors help students explore careers and post-high school education options:

1. Helping students to utilize career exploration programs, career tests, and college search tools
2. Planning on-site visits with representatives from colleges and vocational technical schools
3. Providing information on college programs, timelines, and scholarship opportunities
4. Maintaining a comprehensive scholarship document with information on a variety of scholarship websites and individual scholarships
5. Hosting a career day every two to three years
6. Linking eligible students with community resources such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Pre-Employment Transition Services. This helps ensure that students receive opportunities to fulfill their potential and find the postsecondary career and education path that best meets their needs.
7. Helping students to develop their own unique set of skills and strengths and to identify their passion ~ what has meaning for them and helps them to truly shine! Building on this, students can then gain the confidence to take the next steps after high school to set their dreams into motion and make them a reality!

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a 250 : 1 student-to-counselor ratio, and the two Notre Dame class counselors currently average 208 : 1. In the spring of 2018, Notre Dame prioritized the expansion of an additional position in the Counselors’ Office–two class counselors and a director–in order to better serve students. This has allowed the counseling team to continue to prioritize holistic support of student wellness and mental health.

School Counselors help students with their social, emotional well-being alongside their mental and physical health. Counselors provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons as a part of the comprehensive counseling program. SEL is a method of promoting holistic child development by teaching students skills such as self-regulation, persistence, empathy, self-awareness, and mindfulness. The Notre Dame class counselors provide this in individual and group sessions.

Outside of the office, counselors…

1. Invite speakers to talk about mental health topics (anxiety, coping skills, suicide prevention, etc.)
2. Host informal counselor sit-downs with the students for stress relief activities, affirmation crafts and exercises, or even just “Candy with the Counselors” for support before finals week.
3. Facilitate classroom lessons, discussion and activities about topics like stress, mental health awareness, goals/values, strengths/weaknesses, and more.
4. Spread awareness around the stigma of mental health with small things like posters in our hallways and stickers for the students in our office.

In the office, counselors…

1. Have conversations showing empathy and support to help guide students to their own answers.
2. Provide resources like journals, guided meditations, mental worksheet activities, fidgets, coloring, sandbox expressions, and more.
3. Provide a safe space for students to just be and feel whatever is interrupting their social and emotional self.
4. Ensure that each student has one 1 : 1 session annually in addition to group visits in the classroom. Our role as school counselors is to help guide students to the answers and support they are seeking through brief in-office counseling, assistance with forming healthy coping skills, and referral to community resources and long term therapy/services.