Tennessee School Counselors

With the state slogan, “America at its best,” Tennessee strives for excellence in education and its school counseling services. School counselors in Tennessee have, for many years, played an integral role in productive educational programs for students. They work closely with students, families, staff, and communities to address issues that have a substantial impact on student academic, personal/social and college/career development.

This “Volunteer State” is one of the first to step forward in new and innovative ideas for school counseling programs and systems. Be it in rural, urban, or suburban areas, they purpose to place professional school counselors in position to meet the unique needs of all students.

With the belief that school counseling development should be grounded in evidence-based practice, as well as result-driven data, program implementation must be continuously refined through quality evaluation to address the unique and ever-evolving needs of students and education.

What do Tennessee school counselors do?

Tennessee school counselors do much more than guide students towards college and career readiness. They are expected to serve as liaisons between students and faculty, as well as collaborators with teachers, parents, and social workers.

Though there are many roles school counselors fulfill, here are a few key things school counselors in Tennessee do:

1. They create an environment that promotes student achievement.

   Whether it be individualized guidance, or classroom instruction, school counselors create the most learning-friendly environments possible. With the goal for every student to succeed in the classroom and graduate on time, school counselors utilize tools and resources to motivate, encourage, and inspire students to continue learning well beyond the high school years.

2. They create an environment of diversity and individual differences.

   In order to ensure all students have equal access to the best educational, social, and behavioral opportunities, Tennessee school counselors create an environment of acceptance and diversity. They work with every student to promote academic success, while also helping them overcome obstacles and social challenges.

3. They ensure access to rigorous curriculum for all students to participate fully in the educational process.

   Whether a student is college-bound or not, it is the role of the school counselor to ensure equal access to up-to-date curriculum and opportunities to excel in education. They are trained to identify struggling students and work to implement a personalized action plan to help them succeed. They are also equipped to guide students towards the best higher education path.

4. They promote social and emotional development.

   With the whole child in mind, Tennessee school counselors address social or emotional obstacles that may interfere with academic success. They offer in-class instruction to help students work through tough social issues and develop the social skills necessary to lead happy, productive lives.

5. They promote accountability.

   School counselors do not work as solo entities. They work side-be-side with school administration, parents, and the community to ensure all students have the best tools and resources moving forward. With this kind of accountability, students are guided by a team of people ready to help them succeed in high school and beyond.

6. They promote college and career readiness.

   Guiding students towards further education and college/career readiness is at the heart of what Tennessee school counselors do. They offer individualized education plans for students who are on the college path, and work with families to help find scholarship opportunities and financial assistance. School counselors are the ones ready to steer students towards the best college opportunities for their specific talents and interests.

Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Tennessee?

School counseling is a challenging, yet rewarding occupation that allows a person to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. These professionals play a critical role in students’ well-being and have the opportunity to empower them with the tools to succeed academically, socially, psychologically, and emotionally.

Here are a few reasons why someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Tennessee:

• According to the U.S. News & World Report 2019, school counselors are among the nation’s best social services jobs.
• Tennessee has been attracting more and more educators and professionals from other industries toward the school counseling career.
• Tennessee school counselors will continue to find that their expertise is in high demand.

Truly, school counselors in this “Volunteer State” are some of the most hard-working professionals in the educational system. As they move forward in new and innovative ideas for school counseling programs and systems, they will continue to be invaluable professionals in Tennessee and the U.S. as a whole.

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

Whether you are from Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.

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