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Principal & Counselor: Partners in Success. School Counselor: Frank Phinney, M.Ed., LPC Principal: Dana Nolan, Ph.D. Walker Freshman High School. Partners in Success. ASCA National Model:
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Principal & Counselor: Partners in Success School Counselor: Frank Phinney, M.Ed., LPC Principal: Dana Nolan, Ph.D. Walker Freshman High School
Partners in Success ASCA National Model: Professional School Counselors(PSC) collaborate with many stakeholders to ensure a quality school counseling program. Administrators provide support for the organization, development and implementation… encourage counselor and teacher cooperation… recognizes importance of [each participant’s] role in implementing the school counseling program.
Partners in Success • Emphasis on student achievement challenges the notion that principal's are the sole leader in a school (Janson, 2008). • Janson (2008) also noted additional research that indicated that a leadership model that empowers and utilizes the skills and knowledge of all professionals on a school campus serves as a catalyst to improve student achievement (Halverson, 2003; Leithwood, Seashore Louis, Anderson, Wahlstrom, 2005)
Partners in Success • Chata & Loesch (2007) indicated that research reveals the effectiveness of a school counseling program is largely determined by the principal's provision of support. • This serves as the basis for ASCA recommendation of principals and PSCs working as a team toward the common goal of assisting students’ in all areas where they may need assistance (Chata & Loesch, 2007).
Partners in Success: Potential Barriers • Mallory & Jackson (2007) indicate some potential barriers as follows: • Training: before ASCA… • Inappropriate duties: lack of understanding of professional competencies of PSCs • Perception: Communication is necessary
Partners in Success: Breaking Barriers • Self-Advocacy • Adherence to Professional Standards • Contribute to School Environment PSCs must learn how to discuss student development and provide data to support their assertions (Hardesty & Dillard, 1994).
Partners in Success: Top Ten At Walker Freshman High School we have gone to great lengths to ensure the PSC is directly involved in a leadership role and a collaborative partnership with the administrative team. School Counselor Magazine (Nov/Dec 2006), Covington & Grant provided a Top Ten List of why PSCs should be involved in leadership activities.
Partners in Success: WFHS Top Ten • Visibility • “Presence” is Fundamental • Teachers, students and parents have to see you as leader • Availability • Counselor as advisor rather than chairperson • Engage in efforts directly related to student achievement
Partners in Success: WFHS Top Ten • Extension of Leadership Team • Shared Philosophy and Passion = Buy-In for Entire school! • PSCs when in partnership with Administration can have dramatic impact • Knows the Trends • Front Lines – knows student perceptions • Communicates to administration student concerns • Assists new teachers with effective strategies
Partners in Success: WFHS Top Ten • Big Picture Perspective • Solution-Focused approach to problem solving • “Changing Climate” partnership ensures we assist our students & their families access resources • Decision-Making Skills • Assimilate information, process information and make decisions on the data • Data-Driven decision-making – influence school policy, learning strategies, etc.
Partners in Success: WFHS Top Ten • People Skills • Inherent in who we are as counselors: communicators and listeners • Principals are bombarded with information and request to see them… serve as first line of defense! • Coordination and Follow-Up Skills • Do this every day for our students… • Apply these skills globally: school improvement plans and presenting data to stakeholders
Partners in Success: WFHS Top Ten • Leadership Skills • PSCs by position are seen as leaders within the school and community • Utilize this to develop and nurture other leaders • Principals Need Our Help • Roles and Expectations are ever-changing • Principals need leaders willing to step to the task… Gone are the days of the “Counselor in a Closet!”
Partners in Success Contact Information Frank Phinney, M.Ed., LPC Frank.phinney@lpsb.org Dana Nolan, Ph.D. dana.nolan@lpsb.org Walker Freshman High School 13443 Burgess Avenue Walker, Louisiana 70785 http://walkerfh.lpsb.org/