Make Yourself at Home: Four Ways School Counselors Can Best Support Contracted Student Support Professionals

Amari BenLevi abenlevi21@gmail.com

Have you ever visited a friend’s home for the first time, and they said, “make yourself at home,” however, you do not know if you should take your shoes off or not, you have no idea where the restroom is, you are unsure which couch is meant for sitting and which one is for decoration only, and you do not know what remote turns on the TV? Many contracted educational support professionals feel this is a very similar feeling as they enter new school buildings. I can remember my time as an AmeriCorps service member at a local high school in the Atlanta area. I was presented with a list of tasks from my supervisors at Hands on Atlanta of data I needed to gather, a needs assessment I needed to complete, a caseload that I needed to develop, and activities that needed to be completed by the end of the school year. I also remember the high anxiety I felt as the new kid on the block with no relationships with critical stakeholders, no access to student information systems, and limited knowledge about the school’s culture, climate, and day-to-day functions. I had to quickly build relationships with members of the School Counseling team, and that was the basis of everything else I needed to do my job successfully. That year of service set the tone I needed moving forward as a Support Staff Professional. It helped me to be a better Communities in School Site Coordinator at a local middle school and an even better supportive counselor helping the contracted employees I work alongside now. Today I would like to share four ways that School Counselors can best support the contracted student support professionals that work in their buildings.

Build Strong Relationships

One of the best compliments I received about my new house is that it feels like a home. . I work very hard to create an inviting atmosphere and to be a top-tier host to all my guests.

It is imperative that when working with contracted student support professionals, School Counselors provide a kind and welcoming atmosphere. This can be done by being friendly and approachable and ensuring them that you are someone that they can lean on for support in the building. This relationship-building helps build trust within the partnership. These support programs are often provided to schools to help fill an academic, attendance, behavior, or post-secondary access gap. Healthy relationships between stakeholders make it much easier for the contracted employee to feel comfortable to ask questions and seek knowledge to information they may not have access to. It also helps meet the over goal of student success.

Assist with Access to Data

My friends like to call me “The Host with the Most.” I cannot help but give stellar service to them when they come over. However, I expect you to fix your own cup of juice after your third visit. I remember my sister’s first time at my home, she asked for something to drink, and I yelled from the bedroom, “HELP YOURSELF, THERE IS JUICE IN THE FRIDGE!” I assumed she would do just that, but she quickly informed me that she didn’t know where the cups were and what juice was available to be used. This is similar to the contracted student support professionals not knowing where and how to access school-related data. This may require the School Counselor to provide them with a tour of the school and introductions to the critical stakeholders in the building. Knowing the flow of the school helps with completing a needs assessment and finding meeting locations. The contracted support professional will also determine that the School Counselor is often the best “Go-to” person when they need access to student locators, student contact information, and academic, behavioral, and attendance data. This information is vital to helping them set and meet annual student success goals.

Supported Caseload Development

Many of my friends purchased homes during the pandemic and hosted virtual house warmings. They all would make a beautiful social media post about their accomplishment with a link to their Amazon wish list of furniture, decor, and appliances they wanted to fill their home. This list had many wants and needs for their new home, and each time I worked hard to choose a gift that met both criteria. This is similar to the support the contracted student support professionals need when building a caseload. They often come with specific types of students they want to choose, and the School Counselors also help them identify students that need their support. The School Counselor can share insight into students’ needs and best practices for working with the students at their school.