New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
National School Counseling Week 2022, “School Counseling: Better Together,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), being observed from Feb. 7–11, 2022, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Bob Mota, New Bedford Public Schools Manager of Student Services states, “In today’s pandemic wearied world, next to parents and guardians, school counselors are some of the most important people impacting students’ personal, educational, social, and emotional health. They change lives every single day! Taking on roles from counselor to mentor, counselors are being asked to fulfill various needs in the educational and emotional lives of our students and their families. With the growing concerns of our society’s youth mental health crisis, school counselors remain the daily front line workers of our schools; supporting our children and helping to ensure a safe learning environment and school community.”
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world. Kathleen Mackenzie, Supervisor of Clinical and Behavioral Services states, “New Bedford Public Schools is fortunate to have a group of counselors who are willing to go above and beyond for the students and families in our district. Counselors work to find positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development, and work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential.”
School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program. More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s observances. For more information about the NBHS Guidance Department: go to nbhs.newbedfordschools.org, select Departments/Programs and select Guidance.
