Counseling Program Mission StatementThe mission of the Gunnison Elementary School Counseling Program, in partnership with parents and community, is to empower all students with the academic, career, and personal/social skills necessary to develop as well-adjusted, self aware individuals, who are productively involved in reaching their greatest potential.
A Developmental School Counseling Program “Today, there are approximately 45,000,000 elementary and secondary schools students in the United States. All of them have special needs and interests, which influence the way that they learn. Some student problems, more than others, are disruptive of the learning process in the schools. In addition, the intensity of an experience or the significance of a particular problem is relative from one person to another” (Myrick, 1987, p. 2). To assist students with coping with such problem, organized school counseling programs have become an integral part of the educational process in the nation’s schools.
When taking a closer look at what a School Counselor’s role is within the school system, there have been many misconceptions of what the role of a school counselor is. Guidance, counseling, and teaching are related educational processes. They help students learn. If there is a difference, guidance and counseling concentrates more on the personal interests, problems, meanings, experiences, behaviors, and goals, whereas the classroom teacher focuses more on the academics. School counselors assist students with a wide-variety of services, with individual counseling being one of those services. In addition, school counselors also assist with personal/social, academic, and career needs, facilitate small group meetings, weekly classroom guidance lessons, consult with teachers and parents when situations arise, assist with RTI students, serve as a resource for parents, staff and students, and various other tasks.
More Information:Why Elementary School Counselors?Why Seek Counseling?Program BenefitsProgram Beliefs