Introduction
When most people think of school counselors, they tend to conjure an image of a professional who helps with college applications in their senior year of high school. For many years, school counselors were employed almost exclusively at the secondary education level. This has changed substantially in the past decade. While it is challenging to find data solely for school counselors at the elementary level, the school counseling profession as a whole is projected to grow at 11% from 2020-2030, according to a report by The American School Counseling Association (ASCA).
Keep reading to learn more about being an elementary school counselor.
General Requirements
All professional school counselors must hold their school counseling license/certification (terminology varies by state) through their state department of education. For professional licensure/certification, applicants must have completed an approved master’s program in school counseling. A master of the arts (MA), master of education (MEd), or master of science (MS) is commonly awarded. In another article, we wrote about the benefits of choosing a master of education over other programs.
School counselors also must pass a background check and fingerprint clearance. Certain states may require a passing score on a specific exam, such as the Praxis II. Others require school counselors to have worked as teachers for a specific period of time. Some states also differentiate school counselor license/certification at the primary and secondary levels. Be sure to check your state’s department of education website for their exact requirements.
School counseling is a fulfilling but demanding vocation. It requires shouldering the emotional burdens of students with complex personal histories. It can require a fair amount of clerical work, e.g. record-keeping and scheduling. School counselors should enjoy working with people while also creating professional boundaries for their own self-care.
Professional Role of the Elementary School Counselor
Elementary school counselors wear many different hats! Like school counselors at all levels, they are responsible for the social-emotional well-being and safety of their students. The most basic roles of the school counselor are to create a safe and welcoming school culture. They also must treat all students with unconditional positive regard. Other typical responsibilities of elementary school counselors include:
- Individual counseling
- Small group counseling
- Peer mediation
- Academic planning
- Crisis response
- Behavior interventions
- Attendance/truancy
- Reporting suspected child abuse to the proper authorities
- Teaching classroom guidance lessons
- Assisting with 504 plans
- Assisting with Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA)
- Parent outreach
- State-mandated lessons (e.g., substance abuse prevention, safe/unsafe touch)
- Referrals to outside agencies
- Threat assessments (e.g., CSTAG model)
- Suicide risk assessments
- Coordination of services (e.g., McKinney-Vento students)
- Student advocacy
- PBIS support
…and much more!
My Experience As An Elementary School Counselor
I have been an elementary school counselor for four and a half years. Most of this time has been spent at the same Title Ielementary school as the only certified school counselor for approximately 700 students pre-k through 5. I also have all of the responsibilities listed above.
I often say that people think that when you work in elementary school, you fingerpaint all day. This could not be further from the truth. Aside from the crucial academic material (reading, writing, counting, mathematical operations), elementary school students are learning how to interact with others outside of their families, sometimes for the first time. Developing these social skills is just as important as mastering academic standards.
Every morning, I am stationed at the front door entrance to the school as the students arrive. My main roles are to be a warm, welcoming presence; make sure students are okay; and keep out any unauthorized adults from entering the building. This can be a lot! However, this has been instrumental in getting to know the students. I can often tell which students are having some kind of issue from how they walk in the front door every day. I will ask if they’re okay, but usually they don’t want to talk. I modify my approach to build rapport with these students in the hope that they will eventually feel safe enough to open up. They often do eventually, disclosing suicidal ideation or attempts, or a history of abuse. Since young children are especially vulnerable to abuse, elementary school counselors must be vigilant.
My best advice for those looking to work as elementary school counselors is first, to find a school with a supportive administration and colleagues. Second, find a way to disconnect from your work in your free time. It’s easy to take the emotional burden home with you in this job. Developing some kind of ritual to separate your work from your personal life, like taking a long walk, meditating, or exercising, is crucial to maintain a work-life balance.
Differences between an elementary school counselor and a middle or high school counselor
Elementary school counselors usually play different roles than their counterparts in middle and high school. Many elementary school counselors teach classroom guidance lessons. They may do this occasionally throughout the year, or every day alongside other “specials” classes. For example, in some elementary schools, students have music class, PE class, art class, and guidance class. These classes typically focus on interpersonal and life skills, or social-emotional learning (SEL). School counselors who teach classroom guidance lessons must also develop strong classroom management, which is often the biggest challenge for educators.
School counselors at all grade levels are often responsible for student attendance and truancy. In middle and high school, students are generally old enough to take responsibility (at least partially) for getting to school. The main difference in elementary school is that addressing a truant student involves addressing the parent or guardian. This often presents a challenging dynamic, especially because chronically absent students are more likely to fall behind academically and socially. Chronic absenteeism has exploded nationwide since the pandemic, requiring school counselors and their colleagues to use innovative approaches to improve student attendance.
How to Become An Elementary School Counselor
Here’s a quick guide to becoming an elementary school counselor in four steps.
1. Gain Experience Working In An Elementary School.
While this technically isn’t required, those who want to be school counselors should first volunteer or work in a school setting before committing to a master’s program for school counseling. The reality of working in a school is often completely different from what people imagine it is like. Before committing to this career, make sure it’s right for you.
This does not mean you have to be a certified teacher (unless the state requires school counselors to work as a teacher before receiving their professional certification). Working as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, non-instructional staff member, or even volunteering are great ways to start. This can be done before, concurrent to, or after earning a bachelor’s degree.
2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree.
To become a professional school counselor, you will first need a bachelor’s degree. This is because school counselors hold master’s degrees in school counseling. The good news is that you do not need a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. While some school counseling master’s programs prefer applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, education), the majority do not. In fact, many school counseling master’s programs welcome and encourage students from all professional backgrounds.
3. Earn a Master’s Degree In School Counseling.
Verify which school counseling master’s programs are approved by your state’s department of education. Each state’s requirements vary. For example, some states require school counselors to have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program.
Complete all required coursework. This includes a practicum and an internship. A practicum is a shorter, less-intensive version of an internship in which students learn under a certified school counselor. A practicum is similar to shadowing. An internship involves a school counseling master’s student working directly with students and handling some of the responsibilities of a professional school counselor while under their supervision.
Students will often have to pass an exam in order to graduate and/or receive their certification. Common exams are the CPCE and Praxis II. This also varies by state and by program.
4. Apply for certification.
Once you have completed your school counseling master’s program, you must apply for professional certification or licensure. This usually requires submitting official transcripts, passing a background check, and being fingerprinted. Some states may require passing a specific exam.
FAQs
What is an elementary school counselor?
An elementary school counselor is an educational professional who is responsible for the social-emotional well-being and safety of elementary school students.
What is the difference between a school counselor and a guidance counselor?
School counselors used to be known as guidance counselors. As the duties of these professionals have shifted over the years, the term “school counselor” has become preferred.
Do I need a master’s degree to become an elementary school counselor?
Yes. While some states may allow temporary certification for those without a master’s degree, all school counselors will eventually need to earn a master’s degree in school counseling.
How long does it take to become an elementary school counselor?
A master’s degree in school counseling typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete. There are a handful of accelerated school counseling programs that take under 2 years. Keep in mind that some states require teaching experience in order to work as a school counselor.