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=  = THE BERGMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR IS TESSA HASTINGS
 * //Welcome to the Bergman Middle School Counseling Center //**

THE ROLE OF A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL** COUNSELOR ** Professional school counselors are highly trained educators. They must successfully complete an advanced degree program in counseling, have a valid teaching license, and have at lease two years of teaching experience. Professional school counselors are required to pass a national exam and to uphold ethical and professional standards as part of their licensure. Professional school counselors have the opportunity to help the school faculty, parents, and community create a caring school climate. The goal is to help students develop skills, competence, and confidence in their academic, career, social and personal development. Middle school students are developing skills that will shape their character, values, and attitudes toward their self and others. Professional school counselors offer all students opportunities for education, prevention, and intervention that are student focused and developmentally appropriate.

Students have the opportunity for interactive guidance lessons that address issues relevant to middle schoolers. Lessons include hands-on activities, bibliotherapy, discussions, and self-assessment. Character values are a central focus of guidance and include such traites as responsibility, self-control, respect, motivation, trustworthiness, diligence, initiative, and integrity. Each grade has a theme, story, symbol, statement, and character trait that sets the overall focus for guidance each year. ** INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING ** At the beginning of each school year, students are informed of their school counselor’s role as their advocate. They are made aware that she is available to meet with them individually to discuss a problem, work on an issue, seek solutions, or as a safe person. Confidentiality is also discussed, they learn when confidentiality cannot be kept by the school counselor, and what responsibilities students have concerning confidentiality. Every student at Bergman Middle School has a right to meet with the school counselor regarding academics, career options, and social and personal issues that may arise in their daily lives. The goal is to ensure students feel they have a support person at school. The Bergman Middle School Counselor also meets with students in groups. Group meetings are beneficial to students dealing with similar issues, such as divorce, grief, self-esteem, or self-control. Students often share their feelings while they learn appropriate coping skills. Students frequently discover it helps to know others who share similar experiencies, and it is healing to be understood and accepted by others in their group.
 * CLASSROOM GUIDANCE **
 * SMALL GROUP COUNSELING  **