Timur Professional School Counseling

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Interview with current School Counselor

1. What is the difference between direct and indirect counseling?

Direct counseling services can be defined as some activities which help approach the students in their academic, social, and career improvements. School counselors determine what kind of activities are best for a main impact on students’ developments.

For indirect student services, collaboration, referrals, and consultations are the key points to create an efficient school counseling. These points provide access and equity to all of the students. One of the ways of using these points is a counselor to share their knowledge by using data analysis and evidence based practices. 

 2. About what percent of your time is currently spent on direct counseling?

At the beginning of the year, I spent almost 50 percent of my time identifying a student’s skill, but now it takes about 30 percent of it.

 3.  What non-school counseling duties are you responsible for?

I am responsible for lunch duties, hall passing control and dismissal duty. 

4.What percent of your time do you estimate is spent on non-counseling duties?

It is 20 percent on average.

5. What do you wish you would have known before becoming a school counselor?

I definitely had no idea how much non-counseling duties they have to do. Before I started to work as a counselor, it would be helpful for me to prepare for these kinds of duties. 

6. If you could change anything about your current role as counselor, what would that be?

If I could change my role, I would decrease non-counseling duties, and I would focus more on my career related duties.

7. What is your biggest challenge as a school counselor?

In my opinion, handling with a suicide attempt is the biggest challenge for me because  suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people.The suicide rate is increased with popular social media apps, such as Tiktok. Counselor should recognize the threat of suicide, and create a safe environment. 

8. What is your current ratio of counselor: students?

I think 45 percent.

9. How does the school counselor’s role support the school’s mission?

Counselors have an important role in the support of their schools. Their main goal is to improve student outcomes with efficient plans. They provide access and equal environment for all of the students. They combine their counseling program to the academic goals and mission of the school. 

10. What do you see as the most effective use of a school counselor’s time?

Direct services are seen as an effective use type in a school counselor’s time by school counseling programs. It means counselors spend most of their time with guidance in curriculum, and individual student meetings. Rest of their time is given to the indirect services which are called system support.

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Role of Counselors

1. Beliefs Chart;

In the belief chart, people put their most central opinions about themselves, other people, and the world.

In my school, Harmony, core belief charts is,

“High Expectation; every student will learn and grow into a successful and productive citizen.

Dedicated Staff; we do whatever it takes to help our students reach their goals.

Working together; Our students, parents, and staff work in harmony to create a strong community of success.

Character matters; We guide our students to value integrity, show respect, and be responsible.”

2. Mission Statement

This statement is used for the purpose of emotional and psychological development of students.

Mission of my school, Harmony, is “Harmony prepares each and every student for college and career by providing a safe, caring and collaborative atmosphere and a quality student-centered educational program with a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

3. Vision Statement For improving students’ career and personal skills, a vision statement is necessary.

Vision of my school, Harmony, is “Harmony’s vision is to lead our students from the classroom into the world as productive and responsible citizens.”

4. Program Goals

Students need to figure out what their skills and interests are, so counselors are supposed to provide a foundation for them. The best way is to set main goals.

“Harmony provides students from traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to excel through project-based learning where they learn the skills necessary to become a contributing global citizen.”

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Local Resources in Wylie, TX

- Police Emergency

 If there is any an EMERGENCY or ACTIVE INCIDENT please dial 911. To speak with an officer, 24 hours a day, please visit them at:

Wylie Public Safety Complex

2000 N Hwy 78

Wylie, TX 75098

Dispatch 972-442-8171 (24 hours a day)

- Suicide Hotline

If your child is in need of help, call the 24 Hour Crisis Hotline at 1-877-422-5939

- Local Hospital for emergencies

Wylie ER 24/7 Emergency Center; Emergency room

508 Texas 78 · [phone]

Open 24 hours

- Poison Control

Poison Control Centers

Call [phone]

Available 24 hours everyday

- Child Abuse/Neglect 

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police first. Then call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800.252.5400 to make a report. The Texas Abuse Hotline is open 24/7/365. 

- Community Counseling

Address: 1100 W Brown St, Wylie, TX 75098

- Local Shelter

Address: 949 Hensley Ln Bldg 100, Wylie, TX 75098 

Hours: Opens 8AM Wed

Phone: [phone]

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Responsibilities based on ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors

The code of ethics aims to protect the well-being of counselors and their clients. It informs professional advisors and counselors during their training. It helps counselors develop a plan when they interact with their clients. 

The main goal of Section A is to offer ethical guidance on counseling relationships, such as handling more than one relationship. Counselors must build a relationship with their clients based on privacy and confidentiality. They need to be respectful of the clients’ values, believes, and culture. 

Section B is related to the importance of boundaries and trust. Counselors must be sensitive to cultural topics while interacting with their clients. 

Section C is a reminder of respecting the practice of counseling. Counselors must follow the rule of the ACA Code and scientific foundations. They can improve themselves by participating in associations, and they can increase their capacity by involving in self-care activities. 

Section D is related to the development of people who are inside and outside of the counseling field. Counselors must improve their relationships with people who have different backgrounds in their professional life. Section E helps counselors use formal and informal assessments when they make treatment plans. Counselors must understand that assessments takes an important role when counselors gather information. 

Section F is related to the relationships of counselors with supervisees, students, and trainees. Counseling supervisors must get educated on supervision methods before they start their jobs. They must inform their clients of the supervision process and its limitations. They must be trained in multiculturalism and diversity because it is important. Counselor educators must come up with beneficial feedbacks, and they must explain the importance of the use of technology and scientific techniques. Counseling students must follow the ACA Code. They must be aware of taking a break from counseling. 

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My name is Firdevs, and I am a Turkish teacher at Harmony Science Academy in Dallas. I am also working on the master’s program at NAU. Before I started my career as a Turkish teacher in the US, I was a chemistry teacher with 15+ years of experience in Turkey. I am interested in volunteering, community involvement, reading, hiking, and walking. I am also a good cook, and I am interested in decorating cakes. I have four children, and I have a happy marriage with my husband, Mustafa. I am originally from Turkey, and I used to live in South Africa and Zambia. South Africa is my favorite country. It is full of touristic and natural beauties. I believe that living in different countries made me more open-minded, and increased my empathy ability. These abilities are beneficial when I counsel my students. I can put myself in their shoes, and I can understand them better.