This blog post was written by Amanda Baskett, Jennifer Harris, and Myrissa Lindsey. Their session, Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, November 8 at the Professional Conference.
When counselors and administrators work in sync, they create the foundation for a school environment where every student can thrive. Join us at NCSSS 2024 for “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers,” where we’ll share a practical, three-step collaboration framework designed to strengthen these partnerships that support student success.
Our framework consists of three key steps:
- Shared Values & Alignment to School Goals
Establishing a shared vision is critical. This session will detail how aligning counselor and administrator roles with schoolwide goals expands potential impact on student achievement and wellness. Through clear communication, mutual respect, and an emphasis on integrity, we’ll outline how we ground our team in core values that serve as the guide for every collaborative effort. We will also share how our work aligns with the American School Counselor Association’s Professional Standards and Competencies,
- Processes & Procedures to Facilitate Collaboration
Intentional, structured collaboration methods keep everyone on the same page and allow us to address challenges proactively. We’ll introduce tools like annual administrative agreements, regular team meetings using different formats, and student needs assessments that form the backbone of our process. These methods create a dynamic workflow and ensure both counselors and administrators are engaged in making data-driven decisions to support academic and emotional growth.
- Program Development for School Improvement
Developing targeted programs together fosters innovation and responsiveness in addressing student needs. Our team will share specific programs that illustrate how coordinated development between administrators and counselors leads to meaningful school improvement. Initiatives like our College Readiness Retreat, Peer Mentor Program, Wellness Wednesdays, and our annual Wellness Summit showcase our ongoing commitment to student growth and well-being.
Our three-step approach is designed to meet the challenges schools face today. Whether you’re an administrator or a counselor attending the conference (or even better yet, both attending together), this session will provide the tools to build a more collaborative culture that prioritizes student success.
Don’t miss the chance to build bridges with us and explore new ways to support every student’s journey to their self-determined dreams!