You may have heard that you should do a Meet the Counselor Lesson to introduce yourself to staff and students. But did you know that you can actually use it to increase your impact and advocate for your role?
Starting the year off with a Meet the Counselor Lesson is the solution to impacting more students AND spreading awareness to get the recognition you deserve!
The Purpose Behind Doing a Meet the Counselor Lesson
Why should you do this lesson? It’s simple, introduce yourself! You want people to know who you are and what you do! It's a fun way to introduce yourself at the beginning of the school year.
3 Types of Meet the Counselor Lessons
There are three types of meet the counselor lessons I like to do. Which one you choose depends on your student population and counseling style. I have used all three and typically recommend using a mix!
Meet the Counselor Lesson: Introductory Chat
Use a Mr. Potato Head or photo booth props to discuss how you help students. You’re basically using visual analogies to explain your role. For example, “I have ears to listen to your problem”.
This is for you if:
- You work with primary kids
- You have access to supplies and materials
- You're creative
A digital game is a great way to quiz students on your role. I love to use a Jeopardy style game. It is engaging and memorable and the kids love it! Use the questions to remove the stigma from counseling, clarify your role, and show how you can help students. Bonus points if you edit it to play with staff too!
This is for you if:
- You're an on the go counselor
- You don't like print and prep
- You love digital and editable things
Try creating an escape room style game to introduce yourself! This is highly engaging and a blast! I like to do a Mission Impossible style game where students race to crack the code of who the school counselor is.
This is best for upper elementary students as the kids need to be able to read independently. My fifth graders loved it!
This is for you if:
- You're looking to spice things up
- You have good classroom management skills
- You're organized
Whichever meet the counselor lesson you decide to teach, you will be advocating for your role by providing clarity around the services you can provide.
Tips for Teaching a Meet the Counselor Lesson
Be sure to follow the lesson with contact info, office location, etc
After sharing the services you offer you can also send out a student screener. This could be a simple Google Form following up with students on if they’d like to meet with you this year.
Don't limit it to one lesson!
Get creative and educate about your role outside of the classroom! Extend your reach by introducing yourself in one of the following ways:
- Have a booth to meet parents at an Open House or Back to School Night
- Create a Meet the Counselor Brochure
- Write a blurb about counseling on your school’s website (You could call it a counselor's corner!) or create your own personal school counseling page!
- Be part of a school-wide scavenger hunt for new students to locate different important places on campus
How to Increase Your Impact Using a Meet the Counselor Lesson
Spread the word about your services and explain how you can help. Tell students the details of what type of services you offer and when they can expect to see you. This allows you to share proactive and preventative aspects of counseling and helps remove the stigma! Be sure to provide concrete examples for younger students (come to me when you’re sad, having a problem with a friend, feel angry, etc)
Accessibility is everything!
Establish a clear referral process. Make sure kids know where to find forms (you can provide different versions that are age-appropriate, digital, etc) and where to find you! Again, it’s important to share your office hours and location. If you’re split between campuses or part time it is important to explain what kids need to do if you’re not there. This could look like leaving you a note or telling their teacher who will pass the information along.
Explaining how students can access your services helps impact more students. Once students know how you can help them and how to reach you, you will be able to provide services to more students. There are likely kiddos who have been slipping through the cracks!
How to Advocate for Your Role Using a Meet the Counselor Lesson
Clarity brings appreciation! The more stakeholders know about your role, the more they’ll fight for you!
Reach more than just students
Explain the tier 1 process to teachers (bonus if you offer as needed lessons!) and show parents the benefits of counseling. This helps remove the stigma! Parents may be hesitant to refer their child because they are unsure of your role. Remember to explain the referral process to parents and teachers too!
Remind them that you are on the same team and tell parents and teachers how you can help them by showing the services you provide.
Clarity = Advocating, Confusion = Not Needed
Don't be afraid to brag about your impact, you are doing important work! Nothing to brag about yet? Share your plans!
Outlining the services you provide shows the need for your position. Advocating for your position helps you get the recognition you deserve!
Not only is a Meet the Counselor lesson a great way to introduce yourself, but it is a self-advocating tool! This is a chance for you to share the services you provide and show the need for your program.
Feel confident and prepared!
How would you feel if you had an engaging Meet the Counselor Lesson? I felt relieved, confident, and proud! I knew my position was valuable and now others did too!
Check out all of my Meet the Counselor Lessons here and join IMPACT to get unlimited access to all of my counseling lessons.