BMS
COUNSELING SERVICES
Counselor:
Danielle M. Watson, M.Ed. School Counseling (Email)
Secretary:
Donna Smith (Email)
Note from the Counselor
Todayâs young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly
diverse society, new technologies, and expanding opportunities. To help ensure
that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers,
leaders, and citizensâ, every student needs support, guidance, and opportunities
during adolescence, a time of rapid growth and change. Early adolescents face
unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have
an impact on academic achievement.
Middle School Studentsâ
Developmental Needs
Middle school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their parents
and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence, middle school
students are characterized by a need to explore a variety of interests, connecting
their learning in the classroom to its practical application in life and work;
high levels of activity coupled with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth;
a search for their own unique identity as they begin turning more frequently
to peers rather than parents for ideas and affirmation; extreme sensitivity
to the comments from others; and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort,
understanding and approval.
Meeting
the Challenge
As a Middle school counselor, I am a professional educator with a mental health
perspective who understands and responds to the challenges presented by todayâs
diverse student population. I do not work in isolation; rather the counseling
program is integral to the total educational program. I strive to provide
proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs
and services to help students achieve success in school. I align my goals
with the schoolâs mission to support the academic achievement of all students
as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission
is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation
of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program.
The ASCA National Standards in the academic, National Model: A Framework For
School Counseling Programs, with its data driven and results-based focus serves
as a guide for todayâs school counselors who are uniquely trained to implement
this program.
Middle
School Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing:
School Guidance Curriculum
Academic skills support
Organizational, study and test-taking skills
Education in understanding self and others
Coping strategies
Peer relationships and effective social skills
Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
Career awareness, exploration and planning
Substance abuse education
Multicultural/diversity awareness
Individual Student Planning
Goal-setting/decision- making
Academic planning
Career planning
Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
Transition planning
Responsive
Services
Individual and small group counseling
Individual/family/school crisis intervention
Peer facilitation
Consultation/collaboration
Referrals
System Support
Professional development
Consultation, collaboration and teaming
Program management and operation
Middle
School Counselors Collaborate With:
Parents
Parent information night
Communication/networking
Academic planning programs
Parent and family education
One-on-one parent conferencing
Assessment results interpretation
Resource referrals
College/career exploration
Teachers
Career portfolio development
Assistance with studentsâ academic plans
Classroom guidance activities on study skills, career development, etc.
Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students
succeed academically
Classroom career speakers
At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance
success
Parent communication/education
Administrators
School climate
Behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessment
Student data and results
Student assistance team building
Leadership
Students
Peer education
Peer support
Academic support
School climate
Leadership development