The Ideal Role of the Middle School Counselor

Nina Brashears & Sara Penna

What do we do?
● Direct & Indirect service
​-Classroom Guidance Lessons
-Small Group Facilitation
-Individual Counseling

● Areas: academics,
social/personal, career

● We are ​leaders​ and

providers ​within in the
school community
School counselors use the ASCA national model to focus and design the
effective implementation of the Comprehensive School Counseling
program.

Our programming is comprehensive and responds to the needs and priorities of the school, so within the four quarters our
programming and role is guided by these general principles:

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter

Leadership and Provider Role: Leadership and Provider Role:

Creating a Stable and Cohesive Foundation for the Through collaboration with both students and
School Community teachers, a better grasp of the community’s needs is
established and action is taken.

3rd Quarter 4th Quarter

Leadership and Provider Role: Leadership and Provider Role:

Current initiatives, services, and programs are Time is provided for reflection and data analysis to
maintained and/or adapted given on-going priorities ensure the year’s priorities are met and assessed to
and needs of school community. provide the the foundation for the next school year.

What can the school counselor do for you?

● Referral of Students for Groups/ Individual Counseling: ​Complete quick paper form if there are students you think
would benefit from group or individual counseling.
● Perspective in your PLC or Grade-level Meetings: ​Invite us to give additional insights as you plan engaging and
appropriate instruction for all students.
● Partnership in Collaboration with Parents: ​Partnership and collaboration with parents is powerful!

Confidentiality
School counselors have an ethical duty to responsibly protect a student’s private communication shared in counseling

We strive to maximize instructional time for students. We respect you as professionals and when a need 
arises we will communicate with you clearly and promptly.  
When in doubt, our door is always open!