What is the Role of a School Counselor?

A school counselor works closely with all students in the school. The counseling program is designed to be proactive in nature. The role of the elementary counselor is to guide, advise, recommend, consult, and assist with the near limitless variety of concerns that students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community-at-large may have. Specifically, the thrust of the counseling program is defined by three major goals:

  1. To assist students with personal and academic concerns such as coping with stress, learning to study, and behaving appropriately in class.
  2. To help students develop educational and career decision-making skills including knowing how to make decisions, developing individual interests and abilities, and learning about jobs and careers.
  3. To aid students in developing interpersonal skills such as resolving conflicts, communicating with others and understanding how their behavior affects others.

Guidance services are provided by the counselor for all students through individual and/or small group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, appointments with parents, and discussions with teachers.

Parents may call me at any time for a telephone conference or to set up an appointment.

Contact Information:

Mary Jo Carpenter
(770) 306-9026 ext. 305 
mcarpenter@olvpatriots.org

Referrals

I am available to assist parents or teachers in finding assistance with any area of concern. If I cannot help, I will assist with finding a professional in the community to aid with items not in my area of expertise. All you need to do is ask! My door is always open!

Issues to Discuss with the School Counselor
  • Concerns over student achievement/study skills
  • Peer relations/social skills
  • Special needs of their child
  • Family difficulties or concerns
  • Changes in the family
  • Any issue which is affecting the academic and/or emotional well-being of the child
How Does a Student See the School Counselor?
  • Self-referral (by signing up at the Guidance Office or by telling their parent or teacher)
  • Request of a teacher
  • Parent referral
  • Administrative referral
  • Referral by a friend
Resources for Parents:

Guidance Office Resources

Helpful Internet Sites

How to Interpret ITBS/CogAT Results