Counseling
Counselors play a very important role in our school system. At WSE, Mrs. Bender reaches all students and provides guidance in a variety of areas.
This page will help you learn:
-
Who your counselor is
- What your counselor does
- How to see your counselor
- What you can talk to your counselor about
- What a student might do while in the counselor's office
Who is your school counselor?
Angela Bender
abender@otsegops.org
Mrs. Bender assists students with academic development, personal/social skills and career development to prepare them for a successful future and provide counsel to children and adolescents.
When children feel good about themselves, they have a much better chance to learn. The counselor tries to help children manage those problems that keep them from being the best learners they can be. Working together, we create safe harbors for children.
What does your school counselor do?
- Helps ALL children
- Teaches classroom guidance lessons dealing with:
- Understanding of self and others
- Communication skills
- Decision-making skills
- Conflict resolution skills
- Career exploration
- Works with children individually and in small groups
- Consults with parents and teachers
- Assists with crisis intervention
- Coordinates the Conflict Manager Program
- Organizes the annual career fair
- Assists with kindergarten screening
- Manages WatchD.O.G.S. Program
How does a student get to see the counselor?
- The student may ask to go to the counselor's office
- The teacher or principal may refer the students
- Mom, Dad or another care provider may request counseling services
- A school friend may invite him or her for a special visit
What might a student talk about in the counselor's office?
- Feelings about him/herself
- Difficulty in making or getting along with friends
- A family problem
- A school problem
- A fear or worry
- A physical concern
- The need for a little TLC (tender loving care!)
What might a student do while in the counselor's office?
- Talk about the things that are important to him/her
- Use puppets to help him/her communicate
- Talk about his/her feelings
- Work on a plan to reach his/her goal
- Read stories that help him/her learn and understand more about himself
- Go to a safe place to calm down when he/she is feeling upset
- Play games to learn ways to relate to others