School Counseling

Hero Grad Stock Photo — Delivering programs and supports that impact student growth

School counselors play a critical role in ensuring schools provide a safe, caring environment and that students have the necessary mindsets and behaviors to advance academic achievement outcomes. School counselors deliver programs that have an impact on student growth in three domain areas: academic development, career development, and social / emotional development.

School counseling programs use data to understand student needs, provide school counseling classroom, group and closing the-gap interventions and remove systemic barriers to ensure all students as early as preschool and kindergarten have opportunity to develop academic goals at all grade levels reflecting their abilities and academic interests and can access appropriate rigorous, relevant coursework and experiences. Because of their unique position within a school and their unique training, school counselors can work with students facing mental health issues, family and social problems as well as career exploration and course planning to make school relevant. All practicing school counselors have a masters degree and hold a Pupil Personnel Services credential. Read the American School Counselor Association position statements on the role of the school counselor.

More to Explore

Professional Learning Opportunities

Make plans to attend a new event hosted by SDCOE, Honoring Excellence in School Counseling Leadership, which will be held at the beautiful Kona Kai Resort and Spa on Shelter Island, on May 17. Participants will have the opportunity to network and collaborate in person with colleagues and friends, learn important county and state updates regarding our profession, enjoy a three-course plated lunch, and be inspired as we honor and celebrate our 2022 SDCOE school counseling award recipients:

The Spring Refresh Series provides virtual, professional learning webinars specifically designed for school counselors. The series provides participants with opportunities to refine and refresh their skills, along with ideas and best practices towards planning and setting goals for the fall. All webinars are lead by practicing school counselors, district, and community leaders on relevant topics and issues.

Missed a webinar? Access our Spring Refresh 2022 Webinar Recordings and Resources List.

Webinar Offerings

Implementing the ASCA Model is a workshop series designed to lead school counselors through the development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of a comprehensive school counseling program built on school-specific data. It allows time and guidance for participating teams to conduct a deeper dive into the metrics of their school counseling program, with the goal of becoming a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). The series will consist of four full-day workshops presented over the course of one school year, which will all be led by an ASCA-certified trainer.

2021-22 PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CALENDAR

Register for professional learning opportunities that are available for school counselors throughout the county and state on the 2021-22 Professional Learning Calendar for School Counselors. This calendar is updated regularly.

CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

SPRING 2022

April 28-May 12 - SDCOE Spring Refresh for School Counselors (Virtual)
May 12-13 - SDCOE Equity Conference (In-Person)
May 17 - Honoring Excellence in School Counseling Leadership (In-Person)
May 26 - SOS for New School Counselors (Session #5 - In-Person)
July 9-12 - ASCA Conference (Austin, TX)

FALL 2022

Sept. 27 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #1, Session #3 (In-Person)
Sept. 28 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #2, Session #1 (In-Person)
Oct. 6-7 - CASC Annual Conference (Riverside, CA)

SPRING 2023

Jan. 26 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #1, Session #4 (In-Person)
Jan. 27 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #2, Session #2 (In-Person)
March 16 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #2, Session #3 (In-Person)
May 18 - ASCA National Model Workshop, Cohort #2, Session #4 (In-Person)

School Counselor Network Newsletter

Edition No. 7, April 1, 2022 - Spring Sessions to Grow Your Practice
Edition No. 6, Feb. 7, 2022 - National School Counseling Week
Edition No. 5, Jan. 28, 2022 - The Power of "Spidey Sense"
Edition No. 4, Dec. 16, 2021 - Honoring Excellence in School Counseling Leadership
Edition No. 3, Oct. 29, 2021 - Let's RAMP it up San Diego!
Edition No. 2, Sept. 30, 2021 - Promoting a College- and Career-Going Culture
Edition No. 1, Aug. 27, 2021 - Reignite Your Passion

Awards, Programs, and Events

The School Counselor of the Year (SCOY) program started in 2019-20 to recognize and celebrate the work and service of professional school counselors in San Diego County. Each year, a committee selects three SCOY at the following levels: elementary, middle, and high school, and we have added two new awards; Advocate of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award. All are recognized and celebrated at Honoring Excellence in School Counseling Leadership. Applications for the 2022-23 SCOY will be available in Sept. 2022.

More Information

Academic Domain

College / Career Domain

The San Diego County Race to Submit campaign for high school seniors completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), runs October through May each year with top category leaders receiving banners to hang in their school counseling office. Leaderboards are updated monthly from data posted on the California Race to Submit Dashboard.

Check Leaderboards

The Kickoff to College and Career Readiness (CCR) is a virtual, countywide event to kickoff the school year with a focus on CCR. The event is structured for K-12 school counselors and educators who assist students with future plans and post-secondary success.

2021 Webinar Recordings

Explore this curated list of resources that school counselors and others can use to aid and support students in preparation for their post-secondary options.

SDCOE College Planning Guides and Resources

Choosing the Right College: This report looked at postsecondary enrollment and completion rates for San Diego’s college going students with a special focus on areas that contribute to higher retention and completion rates in our most commonly attended colleges and universities (May 2021).
College Checklists: Individual checklists for all local community colleges, UCs, and most applied to California State Universities (CSU), to ensure that students are aware of important deadlines.
Financial Aid Resources for School Counselors: List of resources, contacts, and trainings for school counselors
Is a 4-year College Right for Me?: Brochure that educators can use with students to support them through the college application and decision process.
Make it Easier Guide: From College Applications to Summer Melt: A K-12 Field Guide for Supporting Low-Income Students through the College Enrollment Process.
Scholarship Database (coming soon)

SDCOE Career Planning Guides and Resources

Career Technical Education (CTE): Resources for school counselors on implementing successful career pathways.
College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCI) Chart: Infographic of the seven components to indicate that students are prepared for post-secondary options.

Other College and Career Resources

Personal / Social Domain

Explore this curated list of resources that school counselors and others can use to aid and support students in personal and social, and mental health issues.

SDCOE Health and Well-Being Resources

SDCOE Special Populations Resources

SDCOE Systems of Support

CASC Personal/Social Lesson Plans by Level

Community-Based Organizations

Online Resources

Professional Organizations, Ethics, and Standards

main contacts

Tanya Bulette
Counseling Coordinator
tanya.bulette@sdcoe.net

Zeret Lara
Administrative Assistant
zlara@sdcoe.net

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