Counseling Corner
School counseling program and resources
MISSION
IDEA’s Academic Counselors facilitate the academic and personal/social development of all students. Academic Counselors are integral members of the Assessment Team. They directly impact student achievement by delivering comprehensive services that meet the needs of all students.
VISION
By emphasizing respect, accountability, trustworthiness, and citizenship, we serve as student advocates and partners in student achievement.
ACADEMIC COUNSELOR LEADERSHIP ROLES
To fulfill our mission, Academic Counselors play a variety of leadership roles, serve on various teams, and support several programs, including:
Counselors are trained leaders who promote success for all students. They collaborate with school stakeholders and use the latest data to make decisions that facilitate the success of the 21st century learner in an ever‐changing society. As a result of this support, IDEA students will:
Counseling Services
What is an Academic Counselor
IDEA’s Academic Counselors are trained and caring professionals who work with all students, parents, teachers, staff, and the community with the goal to help each student achieve academic and social success. Our counselors deliver services in four specific ways:
School Guidance Curriculum • Individual Student Planning • Responsive Services • School Wide System Support
Individual Counseling allows students to discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting for a limited time. Ongoing therapy is not available in the school setting, but we can connect students with outside agencies for longer-term support. Topics are based on the needs of each student and may include feelings, changing families, peer pressure, friends, stress, academics, social skills, academics, bullying, getting along with others, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Small Group Counseling allows students, sharing similar issues and concerns, too work together in a small-group environment consisting of three to six peers. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include divorce or changing families, grief and loss, friendship and social skills, study skills, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.
Classroom Guidance/Classroom Counseling allows school counselors to develop and implement classroom curriculum as needed by each grade level. These classroom lessons address personal, social, academic, and career-related needs at the child's developmental level. Topics may include self-esteem, conflict resolution, study skills, anger management, career awareness, tattling/reporting, friendship/social skills, responsibility, respect, teasing/bullying, feelings, cooperation, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure.
Crisis Intervention systems are used by the Counseling Team to ensure safe learning environments for all our students. All IDEA teachers and staff are trained in participating in these systems to create a safe places for your children to learn.
Parent Resources
IDEA encourages our parents to keep involved in the counseling support their children receive and stay informed about the latest counseling research and resources available on the web. Following is a list of links to helpful websites and resources on a variety of student counseling topics.
School Counselor Role:
American School Counseling Association
Child Development:
Connect with Kids
Sandbox Learning
Parenting/Discipline:
Developmentally-Appropriate Discipline
Scream- Free Parenting
Keep Kids Healthy/Parenting Styles & Discipline
American Academy of Pediatrics: Discipline Guidelines
Comprehensive List of Parenting/Education organizations
Stress-Free Kids
Minimizing Summer Learning Loss:
Minimizing Summer Learning Loss: MSNBC
101 Worthwhile Summer Activities: Parents.com
Back to School:
Kindergarten Readiness
Back to School Readiness Checklist
Simple Kids: Suggestions for building a great morning routine for your child
Printable Checklists.com (morning routine checklist)
Bullying:
Pacer: Kids Against Bullying
Internet Safety:
Common Sense Media Internet Safety
Netsmartz.org (partner of Nat'l Center for Missing/Exploited Children)
Study Skills:
How To Study.com
Good Homework Habits
Diverse Populations/Special Needs:
Overcoming Shyness in Young Children
Childhood Depression: AACAP
Friendship Puzzle
CHADD-Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
Grief/Loss:
All Kids Grieve
Transitioning to Middle School:
PBS Kids: Middle School Transitions
Smoothing your Child's Transition to Middle School
Scholastic.com Making the Transition to Middle School
National Middle School Association- Transitioning to Middle School
Student Resources - Counseling
IDEA encourages our students to play an active role in the counseling support they receive and stay informed about the latest counseling research and resources available on the web. Following is a list of links to helpful websites and resources on a variety of counseling topics.
Great Emotional Intelligence (E) links:
The Feelings Game
Kidvision Feelings-Fun
PBS Kids: Arthur's Feelings Game
Julia's Rainbow Corner: Feelings Game
Character Education links:
"Bucketfillers 101": Kindness and Respect
Teaching Tolerance: Diversity Acceptance
Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.co.cameron.tx.us/health/index.html