Time to Read: 3.5 Minutes
As an advocate for school counselors, I have the privilege of working with districts, schools, educators, and state departments nationwide. However, one persistent issue I face is the misunderstanding and underutilization of school counselors. These professionals are essential to the success and well-being of students, yet their roles are too often diluted by duties unrelated to their profession. This misuse prevents them from doing what they were trained for: supporting students in navigating their educational and personal development.
Why the School Counseling Profession Must Be Protected
At its core, school counseling is about ensuring equitable opportunities for all students. Counselors support students’ academic, emotional, and social development, providing critical guidance during key transition points in their lives. From helping a student navigate a challenging course load to guiding them through the college application process or assisting with personal challenges, school counselors play an invaluable role in ensuring students reach their full potential.
Unfortunately, many school counselors find themselves advocating for their roles more than they should. They are often asked to perform administrative tasks, handle discipline issues, or take on roles that fall outside their job descriptions. This not only diverts attention from their core responsibilities but also undermines the support students desperately need.
The Hidden Impact of Misusing School Counselors
It can be hard to quantify the full impact of a school counselor’s work. Unlike a test score or a graduation rate, the emotional and social well-being of students isn’t always easily measured. But make no mistake: removing or misdirecting these services can do more harm than good.
School counselors build trust with students and families that help ensure every child is seen, heard, and supported. They are a critical resource in helping students overcome personal challenges, achieve academic success, and plan their futures. The entire school community suffers when their focus is pulled away from these duties.
The Importance of Proper Utilization of School Counselors
District and school leaders, teachers, support staff, parents, and even students often don’t fully understand the actual role of a school counselor. Many believe that counselors are merely academic advisors or administrative assistants. In reality, they are highly trained professionals with expertise in child development, psychology, and crisis management.
To ensure students’ long-term success, we must protect and preserve the school counselor’s role. This means educating stakeholders about school counselors’ work and their impact on student success and not placing that responsibility solely on a counselor. It also means re-aligning expectations so that counselors aren’t spread thin with unrelated tasks. A school counselor should not regularly serve as a substitute teacher, proctoring exams, disciplining for behavioral issues, or being the only individual responsible for 504 management; they should focus on the well-being and growth of their students and working with families to provide resources that support student transitions.
My Role as an Advocate for School Counselors
As a freelance consultant, I’ve worked with a range of clients—from school districts and state education departments to advocacy groups and education technology organizations. My mission is clear: to help protect the integrity of the school counseling profession while ensuring that students receive the support they need. By providing expert guidance, I work to educate districts and school leaders on how to use school counselors effectively and equitably. Through collaboration, we can establish systems and processes that allow every student to pursue their educational or professional goals.
Improving these systems takes time, effort, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. But by working together, we can ensure that school counselors are utilized in ways that truly support student success, rather than being bogged down by tasks that limit their effectiveness.
A Call to Action
For administrators, teachers, parents, and anyone invested in student outcomes—it’s time to take a closer look at how school counselors are being used in your schools. Are they being utilized for their intended purpose? Are they able to focus on supporting students equitably? If not, it’s time to make a change. Protecting the school counselor’s role isn’t just about defending a profession—it’s about doing what’s best for students.
Let’s ensure that every student, regardless of background or circumstance, has access to the people who provide the critical support they need to thrive.
Whipp Educational Services 