Skip to main content

 

Melanie Barnes' Portfolio    

             

Spring Internship, 2007

   

                   


My Philosophy and Theory

    
Personal Philosophy of School Guidance Counseling
 
            I believe that the profession of school guidance counseling is absolutely necessary and an invaluable component of an educational system.  A guidance counseling program should be comprehensive, proactive, and developmental, and should align with school, district, and national goals.  Guidance counselors should strive to support students, their families, and other staff members, and should be known as a source of knowledge and encouragement within the school. 
            The relationship between a guidance counselor and a student should be a collaborative one that is built upon trust.  A guidance counselor should set high but realistic expectations for students, which can in turn help students to realize and strive towards their fullest potential.  It is important for a counselor to always be aware of a student's developmental level.  From this awareness, a counselor can adjust to meet the student at his or her level, while hoping to guide them towards the next level. I see students as a guidance counselor's number one stakeholder, and counselors should be able to help students through their struggles, while celebrating their successes as well.     
            A student's family, background, and current living situation should always be taken into consideration when attempting to understand and work appropriately with him or her.  A student's identity and background, while important, should not be used to make assumptions or judgments.  Whenever possible, a guidance counselor should be involved with and in contact with a student's family.  A family can help a counselor come to know a student on a much deeper level.  A guidance counselor is able to work most effectively with a student when the student is known beyond who he or she is within the school walls. 
            Between guidance counselors and other faculty, there should be mutual support with a common goal in assisting students as they develop to their full academic, social/emotional, and career potential.  I believe that ideally, all school staff members should be willing to look beyond their own duties in order to take notice of how they can best work as a teammate in continuous collaboration with other staff members.  I believe that without communication and cooperation between counselors, administration, and other staff members, a school's climate and efficiency could deteriorate, leaving the school less conducive to learning, and less enjoyable as well.
            As an outgoing and enthusiastic person with a deep passion for the field of school guidance counseling, I have shined as a successful, contributing member of every school in which I have had professional experience.  I find it easy to build meaningful, working relationships with students, staff, and family members.  The experience that I have had in diverse and often underprivileged schools has left me capable and feeling confident in my ability to work with students who come from a wide range of backgrounds and living conditions. 
            I use a solution-focused theoretical approach in my work as a school guidance counselor.  In working with students, I believe that the best solutions are those that students can decide on for themselves and truly believe in.  With some support and guidance from a counselor, I have found that students are usually able to arrive at appropriate solutions to their own problems.  I appreciate the importance of instructional time in the classroom, and therefore I try my best to work as quickly and efficiently as possible with students in order to maximize the time that they are able to spend in the classroom.
            I value a guidance counselor who is visible and available within the school.  This can be best accomplished by keeping one's office door open whenever possible, and by getting out of the office and around the school throughout the day.  I recognize the importance of greeting students in the morning.  I see it as an opportunity for a counselor to get a feel for the mood of the day, while at the same time showing students and staff members that the counselor is present and available.  Individual counseling, small group counseling, and classroom guidance are the major platforms on which a school counselor is able to work with students in an effort to help them reach their full potential in the academic, social/emotional, and career domains.  A counselor should be responsible for dealing with crisis situations that may arise in the school.  Finally, I see it as necessary for a school guidance counselor to be a leader in the school, a student advocate, and one who facilitates communication between all members of the school community and surrounding community as well.  The activities that a guidance counselor engages in play a part in making school a safe, educational, and enjoyable place for everyone.            

my home | contact me | about me

Melanie Barnes © 2007

    
n98