Take Time to Thank a Counselor; National School Counseling Week Starts February 7

Disponible en: Español

National School Counseling Week (Feb. 7–11*) observes the unique contributions and the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s).

Twiana Collier, director of guidance and counseling, stated school counselors work with all students to remove learning barriers. NSCW focuses on the contribution of school counselors in schools and how students are different due to what school counselors do. Their work has a tremendous impact in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.”

“School counselors address students’ academic concerns, post-secondary options, and social-emotional skills,” said Collier. “School counseling programs help increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”

The theme this year is “School Counselors: Better Together.” Along with preparing students for life outside the classroom and their families with tips, school counselors offer guidance through difficult situations and point them toward additional resources.

Better Together: School Counselors and the Community

One can never underestimate the power of a counselor’s connection and influence on a student. Cotina Broussard, a counselor at Nimitz High School, is contacted every school year by one of her favorite students, Nhi Do. Nhi was salutatorian of the Class of 2015.

Nhi began helping Broussard as an office aide during her junior year of school. She also spent a lot of time assisting ESL students. Broussard remembered Nhi as an active student during her days at Nimitz as a member of the marching band, the tennis team, and the Honor Society.

Broussard and Nhi bonded over stories about food, travel, and Nhi’s aspirations of becoming an accountant and a philanthropist after graduation. She had Nhi apply for every scholarship that came across Broussard’s desk or on the DollarGram. She did and was often awarded the scholarship. Nhi no longer had classes on-campus in her senior year other than marching band. Yet, she found time to go and assist Broussard.

Before the 2021 holiday season, Nhi reached out to Broussard. She wanted to help a family or group in need have a great Christmas in her old community. Nhi shared that she admired Broussard.

“I didn’t realize that Nhi was watching and paying attention to the work I do every day,” said Broussard. “Nhi shared that she was always impressed by how much I knew about each of my students, how I listened to them, and how I went the extra mile to help, like meeting with parents or helping outfit students for prom and graduation. I just had no idea she was paying attention to me or my work.”

Nhi currently lives in Arizona but “still has a heart for the Nimitz Family.”

Better Together: School Counselors and Students

Counselor Tawana Ford at Eisenhower High School shared a story about one of her students. The student (we have chosen to keep the student’s name anonymous) is active in school. They are also homeless.

“The student didn’t have the proper attire to participate in a competition, so I helped them get clothing. I couldn’t have been more proud to have a hand in their success. They advanced to the next round of the competition. Mrs. Ford helped connect the family with resources, and I also helped the mom fill out an employment application. It makes your day, week, a year when you help someone or give them the support they need. A ZIP code or being homeless should not be barriers for any student to thrive and to have opportunities to succeed. That is the role of a school counselor. And I am proud to be one.”

Contact Your School Counselor

Families and community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their child’s school.

Thank a Counselor on Social Media

Take a moment to thank your school counselor(s). Be sure to sure #AldineForward (#AldineAdelante) and #NSCW2022 on social media.

More general school counseling information can also be found on ASCA’s website, www.schoolcounselor.org, or visit the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA).