Robertson County Schools joins districts across the nation
to celebrate and recognize school counselors during the National School
Counselor Week, February 3-7.
Dr. Mary Jo Holmes, principal of the district’s Virtual and
Focus programs oversees the 27 RCS counselors who staff each school from kindergarten
through high school.
Depending on the school level, duties for school counselors
include providing instruction on psychological and social issues such as sex
education or bullying, counselling, providing vocational guidance, providing
early intervention for learning and psychological difficulties, and providing
special needs services.
Additionally school counselors often help students with
developing personal and academic skills, goal-setting, maneuvering personal
problems that might have adverse effects on academics, and coping with grief or
trauma.
Each day these counselors face different challenges and
tasks as they provide the personal touch and relationship to assist students
through their academic day. They are some
of this district’s most valuable assets.
Holmes reflected on their value, saying, “ "I believe
our school counselors are the heartbeat of our schools. School counselor
is their official title but they could also be called Life Changers, Hope
Providers, and Way Makers. We appreciate and celebrate our school
counselors who advocate, support, and motivate our young people along their
educational journey."