Why Elementary School Counselors?

The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

Early identification and intervention into children's problems are essential to change some of the current statistics regarding self-destructive behaviors, low academic achievement, and general unhappiness in and out of school. If we wait until children are in middle or high school to address these problems, we lose the opportunity to help them reach their potential, as well as develop feelings of dignity and self-worth.  For many children, the school counselor may be the one person who provides an atmosphere of safety and trust, and can take the necessary time to help with concerns in and out of the classroom.

Important Functions of the Elementary School Counselor at Talbot Elementary

• Conduct regular classroom guidance lessons on topics such as respect, responsibility, honesty, anger management, conflict resolution, friendship, feelings, empathy, and more. (In addition to teaching these skills, classroom guidance provides an invaluable opportunity to develop counselor/student relationships that, hopefully, encourage students to seek out counselor help throughout the school year.) Research based curriculum include:
  • Stand Up, Be Safe! (Personal Safety, Anti-Bullying for grades 1-5)
  • Ready To Learn ( Kindergarten)
  • Second Step ( Empathy, Impulse Control, Anger Management for grades 1-3)
  • Student Success Skills ( Academic responsibility, Stress Management, Goal Setting – 4^th grade)
  • Conduct small group sessions with students having common concerns (divorce and family issues, social skills, grief and loss, self-esteem, teasing, bullying, etc.)
  • Provide individual counseling with students
  • Consult with parents, teachers, community resources, and other professionals
  • Member of School Leadership Team
  • Use data to identify student needs and facilitate referrals for all Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs, including Gifted, Specific Learning Disability, Other Health Impaired, Autism Spectrum Disorder, etc.
  • Make referrals to outside agencies and act as liaison.
  • Assist with FSA testing
  • Facilitate Educational Planning Teams (EPT)
  • 504 Plan Coordinator
  • Coordinate School Wide programs: Red Ribbon Week, No Name-Calling Week
  • Citizen of the Month and Citizen of the Year program for 5^th Grade
  • Human Growth and Development for 5^th Grade
  • Middle School Transition
  • Crisis intervention
  • Service project coordinator (Food Drives, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, etc)

Elementary school years set the tone for developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for our children to become healthy, productive adults. A school counselor has the opportunity to play an important role in developing and maintaining a positive school climate. School Counselors are highly skilled education professionals and are required to have at least a Master’s level education.

Want to know more? Have questions?

School Counselor - Valerie Linn, Ed.S. , 

 955-6716 or email at linnva@gm.sbac.edu