Delaware School Counselors

Delaware’s state motto, “Liberty and Independence,” could adequately describe the freedom and autonomy school counselors across the state strive to uphold with hard work and ingenuity. With fewer than one million residents in the entire state, this small-but-mighty community of people is big on helping students develop strong educational trajectories and career paths.

Through a state-wide program known as the Delaware Pathways initiative, state grants afford Delaware schools to administer high school career pathways and college/career ready coursework. This initiative helps equip students to excel in leading industries that are highly successful in the current economy.

What do Delaware school counselors do?

Considered essential members of a bigger educational team, Delaware school guidance counselors promote student advocacy while working collaboratively with schools, parents, and the community to ensure the success of every student.

Basing their efforts on the national American School Counselor Association Model, Delaware school counselors rely on the ASCA to provide the framework for their counseling programs in each school system. The reason for this? ASCA Model programs are known to be comprehensive, preventative, and developmental in nature. By utilizing national standards, there have been encouraging developments in high school graduation and college participation.

Here are a few key roles of a Delaware school counselor:

1. They attend to the emotional, social, and behavioral stability of youth in schools.

   School counseling isn’t all about academics and career paths. Strong counseling programs address the whole child, focusing on emotional, social and behavioral stability as a springboard for educational success.

2. They connect school curriculum to real-life career opportunities and programs.

   Delaware school counselors are all about reaching beyond the school walls and getting students connected with real-life job opportunities. This is one reason the Delaware school counseling program is growing and thriving.

3. They evaluate students by utilizing assessment and educational tools.

   With the goal of supporting student growth, Delaware school counselors seek to assess students fairly and comprehensively by measuring progress throughout the year.

4. They teach students about specific topics such as drug abuse, violence prevention, and higher education choices.

   Depending on the specific school climate, school counselors have the opportunity to inform and educate on specialized topics not taught in the classroom.

5. Provide crisis intervention when necessary.

   While the hope is that intervention won’t be necessary, school counselors are trained and ready to handle unexpected crises as they occur.

6. Further school counseling programs as state funds allow.

   School guidance counselors in Delaware are always seeking to grow and further their mission to help students succeed in both educational and social development. This may include requesting state grants or other funding to help their initiative.

   While remaining true to the framework of the American School Counselor Association Model, Delaware still exerts its freedom to develop individualized counseling programs for each school. According to the specific needs in each county, school counselors are well-equipped to design and implement the exact courses necessary for student success.

Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Delaware?

While school counseling isn’t for the faint of heart, it is for those who want to make a lasting impact on America’s youth. Here are several reasons someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Delaware:

• Experience both emotional and professional rewards for making a difference in a young person’s life
• Have plenty of opportunities to advance your expertise and guide both students and faculty in educational opportunities
• Form connections in the community
• Communicate with state legislature to improve Delaware’s counseling services
• Fulfill the growing need for school guidance counselors in Delaware and across the U.S.

With “Liberty and Independence” at the center of this east-coast state, Delaware will continue to promote educational freedoms within its borders. These freedoms will hopefully allow students of all backgrounds to pursue higher education and/or career choices that best fit their individual strengths. As a small but independent state, Delaware will likely continue to forge unique academic pathways that the rest of the United States can follow.

Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as an Delaware School Counselor.

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