RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — School districts across Middle Tennessee are honoring the critical work of school counselors during National School Counseling week.
“National School Counseling Week is a privilege for us because it’s an opportunity for us to highlight our role and our function within the schools,” said Rutherford County Schools’ counseling supervisor, Amy Baltimore. “One thing that I’ve noticed over the years is that the role is very misunderstood.”
She said the role of the school counselor has expanded over the years from that of a guidance counselor. It went from being an academic advisor to a multifaceted professional who is trained at a master’s level to provide academic skills support, college and career exploration and readiness, and social and emotional development support.
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“It really looks like doing a lot of advocacy on various levels,” Baltimore told News 2. “That can be advocating in the classroom. That can be advocating at meetings. That can be serving on leadership teams, speaking with community partners, but really working to promote equity and access for students as they progress through the grade levels.”