The Role of the School Counselor in Distance Learning

As school counselors, we have struggled with educating everyone from the public to principals about our role.  Few people understood the role of the school counselor before school closures and now, in these unprecedented times, who knows?   Let’s seize the opportunity to define who we are to our stakeholders.  This is uncharted territory, a chance for us to share what our role should be to meet the needs of our students. Because if we don’t step up and define the role of the school counselor, someone else will!

What should school counselors be doing during school closures?  

School counselors should still be following the ASCA Model and providing a comprehensive school counseling program. Yes, that will look different on-line versus face to face, but 80% of your time should still be dedicated to direct and indirect services and only 20% to non-counseling duties.  Of course, your administration may not know or have acknowledged this before.  This is your time to define your program.  Use this list to start a conversation with your administration about what school counseling looks like with distance learning.

Individual counseling.  This is a tricky one. How do we provide confidentiality on-line?  Even with HIPPA and FERPA encrypted platforms how do we guarantee privacy for our students or for ourselves? Privacy in their own home or in ours?  Are we being recorded as we counsel?  Are there others listening in the room? Do we need parent permission for minors since it on-line? School counselors are going to need more direction on this one to uphold our ethical responsibilities for our students and protect ourselves from liability. But, until then, there is so much more we can do!

 Check-ins.  School Counselors can start by calling the families of the high risk students on their caseload. Maybe with a specific list of questions or with information to make parents aware of resources, helpful websites, how to contact the counselor, or the counselor services that will be available. I'll be using this google form parent survey during the call to organize and collect information on my families. Copy my check in form here.

Small groups.  Offering skill groups and support groups for students would seem to be one of our best bets as school counselors during this time. We can expect there will be a great need for students to have groups on things like self-care, loss, time- management, social emotional learning, and on-line safety. Google hangouts, Zoom, Skype, and Microsoft teams offer school counselors the ability to connect with students on line. Ask what your district has to offer. Parent permission for doing group work whether in person or on-line and informing parents and students to the limits of confidentiality is important.  This Google form could possibly be sent to parents as an e-permission for small groups.  See a copy of my Google Form e-group permission and my e-group rules here.

Classroom lessons.  What a great time to do classroom lessons!  No state testing, flexible schedules, pre-recorded or live, five-minute tips, brain breaks, daily inspiration/challenges, 30 minute presentations, student workshops, or topic series.  This may involve using Google classroom, Google Hangouts, Google sites, Skype, Zoom, or another platform approved by your district.

Parent groups and Teacher groups.  “Conversations with the Counselor.” We can expect parents and teachers are going to be stressed out and needing support.  Offering the expertise of the school counselor through support groups for parents will be important.  Topics like those offered to students, along with an opportunity for parents to have conversations with others who may be struggling with the same issues created by pandemic life will be vital.  Again, use whatever platform your district has approved. Discuss issues and expectations of confidentiality with adult participants.

Counselor PLC.  Although there are great on-line Facebook groups for school counselors to provide inspiration and support, you sometimes need the support of your same district colleagues.  Plan to meet virtually to compare notes, share ideas, and help one another however possible.

Teacher consultations.  Same as before, just on line or on the phone.

Parent/Teacher conferences. Same as before, just on line or on the phone.  Take notes and email to parents.

Crisis counseling.  Notifying parents, law enforcement, or possibly Child Services may be required the same as in previous face to face situations.   Just like if a student is in crisis after hours, on a weekend, or a holiday break parents and guardians will need to dial 911. School counselors need to  post hotline and local agency numbers for families seeking assistance for students in crisis beyond the “office hours” of the school counselor.

Virtual Fairs/Tours.  Leading HS and MS students on virtual college tours, holding virtual career fairs and vehicle days for students at every level.

Book Clubs/Talks.   What a great time to focus on books! Partner with a Language Arts teacher at your school or start a book club/talk of your own.  Invite students through their classroom teachers, a ConnectEd, email blast, or newsletter. Find on-line books for your group to read, books approved for educators to read aloud, or have students take turns sharing a favorite book with the group.

Websites.  School Counselors need a website to post information, community resources, and crisis information.  It is also a great way to keep parents and students involved, informed, and inspired.  School counselors can sift through the volumes of information on the internet to provide what’s relevant to parents and students in their community and at their level.  Websites can provide daily or weekly updates, activities, inspirational messages, videos, ideas, web links, etc.  Google sites and Weebly for education are free and easy.

Newsletters. Another great way to keep families engaged.  Perhaps feature something from your website or offer reminders and tips around specific themes. Smore is a great tool.

Discuss boundaries. 

Boundaries are critical.  We can’t be available 24/7.  It is important to take care of ourselves and our families.  We put ourselves in a position of liability if we get into the habit of answering phone calls, text messages, and emails beyond our virtual office hours by setting a precedent that we are available anytime.  School counselors need to have set office hours as agreed upon with administration. These should be posted to your website, email signature, school webpage, newsletters, and followed. Students and parents need to know when they can reach the school counselor, what an expected response time is, and what to do if a student is in crisis.  We can’t preach self-care if we aren’t taking care of ourselves.  Remember, oxygen mask, full cup.

Phone. School counselors working from home need to have a Google voice account, use star *67, have school numbers forwarded to home phones, whatever is available in your district.  Maintaining appropriate boundaries is critical to adhering to our ethical standards.  We must avoid blurring the lines of our professional duties and responsibilities by using personal phones.

Email. Use your school assigned email only during office hours. Just because you are home all the time does not mean you are available all the time. Use an away message to inform students and parents of your availability.  Boundaries.

Computer.  Use your school assigned device only. Shut it off and put it away after office hours.

These are just a few ways school counselors can define their role with school based and district administration.  It is important to teach others the value school counselors will provide in our school’s distance learning plans and avoid having our role re-defined by those who have no idea what school counselors do.

Things will look different from district to district and state to state. Check with your state school counselor association, school superintendent, or school counseling specialist in your district for specifics as they apply to you.  For those in smaller or more rural areas, reach out to your state school counselor association or ASCA for more guidance on defining your role as a school counselor during school closures.

What are some of your ideas to define the role of the school counselor during school closures?  Please share your thoughts and ideas below.

Stay Healthy!