Contributed
National School Counseling Week 2021, “School Counselors: All in for All Students,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), will be celebrated from Feb. 1–5, 2021, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who “implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century,” according to Kimbrie Esters, Director of Student Support Services for Bladen County Schools.
School counselors are recognized for being actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, postsecondary and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, post-secondary options, and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”
More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Many schools will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Below are some contributed photos of the local Bladen County School Counselors:
As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, Bladen County Schools would like to recognize its school counselors:
- Patricia Beasley, West Bladen High School
- Jessica Eason, Elizabethtown Middle School
- Donnell Goins, East Bladen High School
- Michelle Hunt, Elizabethtown Primary School
- Jessica Oxendine, Dublin Primary and Plain View Primary schools
- Leslie Pate, Bladenboro Middle School
- Michael Peters, East Arcadia Elementary
- Elizabeth Ruffin-Cox, East Bladen High School
- Beth Schultz, Bladen Early College and Clarkton School of Discovery
- Irene Shipman, West Bladen High School
- Madison Sierer, Bladenboro Primary School
Parents or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More general information can also be found on ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org.
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