I had the opportunity to interview three practicing school counselors. I spoke with Shirley Humphrey at Tuscola High School, Elizabeth Rall at Hazelwood Elementary, and shadowed Karen Clarke at Cullowhee Valley School. These women, while all school counselors, hold very different positions. The realizing the difference between school counselors at each level of schooling was quiet surprising discovery. I knew that the school level helped define the roles of a school counselor, but did not expect the variation to be so great. These interviews have highlighted the positive and negative aspects of working at each level. .
Shirley Humphrey is the school counselor at Tuscola High School. Through this interview I learned a lot of information about the roles and responsibilities of a high school counselor that I did not know. Ms. Humphrey informed me that her main duty was to help her students with scheduling. This duty includes planning the right course of study for the students as far as future goals require. The students must decide if they want to follow a curriculum that is geared toward career prep, college tech prep, college/university prep, or occupational course of study for students with disabilities who have an IEP. The counselors must help the students make scheduling decision that are best for their future goals as well as their abilities. The high school counselors also comprise lists of college and scholarship information. Along with making this information available, they also make and distribute a monthly newsletter to the seniors. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep them up to date with issues that apply to their impending transition from high school to the next chapter of their lives. Ms. Humphrey said that she is able to take some time out of her schedule to provide short term counseling and work with students on issues such as social skills, family planning, and SAT preparation.
As the oldest of three sisters, I carry a huge responsibility. I always have to be careful about what I say, and my behavior around the house. I love being an older sister because it is like being a parent without having to deal with the whining and reprimanding. Because my sisters Tara and Divya l...
