Mission & Vision

Mission

The mission of the Kilmer Middle School Counseling Program is to provide proactive and developmentally appropriate programming that empowers all students to reach their full potential. By implementing a data-driven comprehensive program, achievement and opportunity gaps are identified and minimized to ensure access for all students. School counselors advocate for students’ needs and collaborate with stakeholders to create a safe environment that supports their academic, career, and personal/social goals. Our school counselors provide a foundation for students to develop the resiliency and problem-solving skills necessary for ethically navigating our diverse global society.

Vision

Our program’s vision is for all students to become ethical leaders who are driven to accomplish personal goals and meaningfully contribute to their community. They are resilient individuals who are prepared to engage in innovative problem-solving and work collaboratively in their chosen fields. Kilmer students will persevere to overcome challenges and thrive in an ever-changing global economy.

As part of a comprehensive school effort, the counselors work with all students. The school counseling program supports and complements the work of classroom teachers and other specialists at Kilmer to facilitate student progress and well-being. Middle school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement for all students by providing services to students, parents/guardians, school staff, and the community in the following areas:

Students	Parents/Guardians
Academic support services Individual academic advising and career planning Individual and group counseling Crisis management and responsive services Transition Programs Referrals to FCPS and community resources Advocacy classroom lessons	Registration information including curriculum overview for course selection process Parent conferences Consultation School-to-parent communication Referrals to FCPS support services or community resources
Teachers & Administrators	Community
Classroom guidance lessons Academic support and education to help students succeed academically Classroom speakers At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success Academic intervention support School-wide needs assessments	Job shadowing Work-based learning Career education Referrals

Role of the Professional School Counselor

Portions taken from the ASCA National Model Revised 2012

The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address all students' academic, personal/social, and career development needs. Professional school counselors implement a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student achievement. Professional school counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high, and high schools and in district supervisory, counselor education, and post-secondary settings. Their work is differentiated by attention to developmental stages of student growth, including the needs, tasks, and student interests related to those stages.

Professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student achievement. Incorporating leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students. Professional school counselors support and safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. Collaborating with other stakeholders to promote student achievement, professional school counselors address the needs of all students through prevention and intervention programs that are part of a comprehensive school counseling program.

Professional school counselors have a master's degree or higher in school counseling or the substantial equivalent, meet the state certification/licensure standards, and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed. They uphold the ethical and professional standards of professional counseling associations and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model: foundation, delivery, management, and accountability.