Roles of Junior High School Guidance Counselors
Junior high and middle school guidance counselors have an opportunity to play a crucial role in the lives of the students. During this time, students face rapid maturation and physical growth, hormonal changes, social development issues and questions of self-identity, all amidst the search for interests and friends.
This is a job not to be taken lightly, as students at this age are at a critical stage in their development. Reviewing the duties and responsibilities of junior high school guidance counselors will help you decide if this career is right for you.
Modeling a Trustworthy Adult
During adolescence, it’s normal for children to begin questioning the authority of adults as they begin to develop self-sufficiency and their own personal belief system. Many adolescents become rebellious against any and every authority figure, which at this stage typically means parents and teachers.
As a guidance counselor, this gives you a unique opportunity and responsibility. When children are suddenly unwilling to confide in the primary adults in their lives such as their parents, teachers or other relatives, you have a chance to play the critical role of a trustworthy adult. How you achieve this varies from case to case, but it can be an extremely important outlet and resource for students at this age.
Counterbalance to Peers
As adolescents become skeptical of their parents and their old beliefs, they are likely to put tremendous new emphasis on the approval and guidance of peers. Putting so much stock in the opinions of their peers can cause extreme stress.
Many adolescents adopt destructive behaviors because they believe that some of their peers want this from them. This pressure can be extremely painful and dangerous. You again have the opportunity to play a critical role in offering a different perspective.
A supportive, understanding adult can empower students to make their own decisions, learn self-approval and avoid destructive behavior.
Liaison With Other Caregivers
As a guidance counselor, you might be overwhelmed by the magnitude of your responsibilities. However, you can't do everything, and it is crucial to remain aware of the resources that you have at your disposal.
In many difficult situations, your role as a guidance counselor is to connect students with the specific help they need, explains School-Counselor.org. You may have to advocate for your students or discuss their needs with teachers.
Family counseling, legal services or drug abuse prevention services might be necessary. Adolescents have a wide range of needs, but are unlikely to be able to identify and address all of them independently.
Academic Guidance Counseling
A key role as a guidance counselor is to foster the academic development of students and to help them successfully complete the curriculum, according to the American School Counselor Association. You will need to help your students develop responsibility and initiative with their schoolwork.
Time management and self-discipline are other important skills young students need to develop. Through support and encouragement, you also can help students develop specific interests to further their course selections and recognize their assets.
This is the beginning of career orientation. You will need to listen to the students' concerns and ideas as they begin to develop a sense of their interests.
Linda Ray is an award-winning journalist with more than 20 years reporting experience. She's covered business for newspapers and magazines, including the "Greenville News," "Success Magazine" and "American City Business Journals." Ray holds a journalism degree and teaches writing, career development and an FDIC course called "Money Smart."