Counseling

Historically, the term “guidance counselor” was used to refer to counselors
working in the schools. This term has evolved to “School Counselor” as the scope
of duties has changed and evolved. The American School Counselor Association
(ASCA) encourages the use of “School Counselor” to more accurately reflect the
role.

School Counselors assist individuals with personal development, career
exploration and provide resources and interventions that promote good decision-
making and healthy relationships with other students, staff and family.

A School Counselor is:
● Proactive/data driven
● Provide Programs for all
● Impact measured via achievement, attendance and behavior data
● Essential role in the school improvement process
● School Counselors as school leaders
● Develop, manage and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling
program

Students are encouraged to go
to the front office to request to see a counselor for all crisis situations.
Parents may call the school for information or schedule a conference with a
teacher, counselor or an administrator at any time by calling the main office at
(719) 549-7430 to be transferred to the staff member’s phone or may send an
email to them.

• School counselors are advocates for every student.
  All students have significance, worth, and the potential to achieve success.
• All students – regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation – shall have equal access to all services (academic, career, and personal/social) provided by the counseling program and the school.
• The school counseling program serves a central role in meeting students’ developmental needs through interventions in academic, career, and personal/social domains.
• Student needs can be best met through a data-driven comprehensive school counseling program in collaboration with all stakeholders.
• School counselors are leaders and agents of change in school culture and academic achievement.
• The school counseling program provides valuable resources to be used in collaboration with educational stakeholders to increase equity and access to opportunity.
• Learning experiences should be designed around the students’ needs in such a way as to make them personally meaningful to students. 
• All students learn best when positive relationships are present and fostered by all educational stakeholders.
• School counselors develop positive relationships and recognize the unique strengths and abilities possessed by each individual student as tools to achieve their goals.
• A comprehensive school counseling program is tailored to meet students’ educational and developmental needs as identified through assessments, delivered using evidence-based programs, and evolved through data analysis of outcomes.
• The American School Counselor Association ethical standards should guide the work of the school counseling program and school counselors.