Kentucky School Counselors

The role of a school counselor has changed over the years, but one thing has never changed – guiding students in a solid academic and career path. In the state of Kentucky, school counselors stick to the state motto, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

United as an educational force – a force with which to be reckoned, Kentucky school counselors and educators guard against divisions that might hinder a student’s progress in school and beyond. This “Bluegrass State” equips professional school counselors with knowledge, skills, programs and resources to best support academic, career, social and emotional success for all students.

On December 17th, 2018, the Kentucky Counselor Standards Advisory Committee gathered together at the Kentucky Department of Education in Frankfort and unitedly defined the role of a Kentucky school counselor:

“A school counselor is a certified mental health professional supporting all K-12 students in their social/emotional, academic and career development. Through a Comprehensive School Counseling Program, counselors provide data-informed, universal and targeted learning experiences to develop the whole child in a diverse society.”

What do Kentucky school counselors do?

With the above mission at the forefront of their efforts, Kentucky school counselors provide effective school counseling services that improve student achievement and support the needs of the whole child. They work hard to ensure that students are provided ample opportunity to participate in the best college/career programs the state has to offer.

Here are a few key things Kentucky school counselors are expected to do:

1. They ensure college and career readiness.
   

   While not easy, school counselors do their best to ensure students attain the necessary knowledge, skills and dispositions to successfully transition to the next level of his/her education and career. This may include personal counseling, advisement, and assessment to ensure no student falls behind. It may also include classroom sessions and extra-curricular lessons to boost student participation towards college/career readiness.

2. They cultivate social, emotional, and behavioral health education.
   

   Not only are school counselors responsible for the academic success of each student, they are also responsible for cultivating the emotional, social and behavioral growth of students, so that they become contributing and productive citizens. This may be done through personalized counseling, or small group instruction. Needless to say, Kentucky school counselors look at the whole child, not merely their educational/career goals.

3. They collaborate with other school counselors, administration, and parents for accountability.

   Collaboration among Kentucky school counselors is critical to the success of comprehensive school counseling programs.

4. They participate in networks of school counselors locally and nationally, and work with school administration to find the best course of action for every student.

   Kentucky school counselors also work closely with parents and keep lines of communication open in order to stay accountable and follow best practices.

Why should someone consider becoming a school counselor in Kentucky?

Besides reaping the rewards of helping students succeed in school and beyond, school counselors are looking at amazing opportunities for growth and expansion in the state of Kentucky and across the U.S.

Here are a few more reasons someone should consider becoming a school counselor in Kentucky:

• The current career landscape for guidance counselors in the “Bluegrass State” is lucrative and growing.
• According to a May 2018 data set from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 3,150 school counselor jobs exist in all of Kentucky.
• School counselors in Kentucky bring home an annual mean wage of nearly $66,000.

The ever-changing roles of a school counselor, need not discourage people from pursuing this noble profession. In fact, it very well may be a springboard of opportunity for counseling professionals to pave a new and unmarked path of educational excellence.

Kentucky, in particular, has the advantage of solidarity, as school counselors in this state stand united in their mission: to guide students in a solid academic and career path, while offering support for the social and emotional success of all students.

Contact schools offering school counseling or mental health counseling programs and learn how you can begin a career as a Kentucky School Counselor.

• Capella University Master of Science (MS) in Human Services – School Counseling Specialization – CACREP and State Approved ^**
• New York University (NYU) Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance – School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling – MPCAC Accredited
• UMass Online (Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling – NEASC and State-Approved program)

Whether you are from Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Covington, Frankfort, or anywhere else across the state, you will find school counseling a highly rewarding and respected career.

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