In August 2014 District of Columbia International School opened its doors for the first time. As the only school counselor for over 200 students I created from scratch an ASCA and DCI mission aligned comprehensive guidance program. This included the creation, implementation and evaluation of a whole school advisory program.
During my years at DCI, I discovered a true passion for creating systems and replicable processes that allowed counseling department to reach beyond the traditional reactive school counseling approach and enable us to equip ALL students will the skills necessary to live purposeful lives full of positivity and meaningful relationships.
During my years at DCI, I discovered a true passion for creating systems and replicable processes that allowed counseling department to reach beyond the traditional reactive school counseling approach and enable us to equip ALL students will the skills necessary to live purposeful lives full of positivity and meaningful relationships.
Advisory Programming
Advisory, also known at DCI as Approaches to Learning, is a small learning community that seeks to support students' personal, academic and social development.
CreateCollaboratively created over 200 lessons spanning 3 grade levels.
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Supervise & CoachAdvisors met in grade levels monthly for professional PD and individually every 5 weeks with me for coaching and supervision.
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EvaluateEach advisor received a mid year evaluation based on at least 3 classroom observations, individualized goals, and student survey feedback.
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Counseling Programming
All counseling programming was developed using the ASCA National Model framework. We utilized an "identify, plan, analyze" cycle to ensure effective and continually improving programming.
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For example, all students took a wellness assessment in September to identify individual, group and grade level needs. Action plans were then devised with SMART outcomes. Counseling programming was evaluated each term through GPA, attendance, and student perception survey data.
Below are some work samples for each of the ASCA student focused domains.
Below are some work samples for each of the ASCA student focused domains.
Academic
Personal
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Social
Post-Secondary
Students received lessons from a variety of curriculums depending on grade level including RoadTrip Nation, College Board, Choices360, and Believing the College Dream. 8th grade students visited UMD, the NACAC college fair and engaged in a variety of career focused lunch talks. |
Community Resource Partnerships
- Family Matters: In school counseling through insurance
- Department of Behavioral Health (DC): Part time bi-lingual clinician
- Bridge to Success Program: Uniforms, food cards, glasses
- P&G School Programs: Hygiene products
- Latin American Youth Center: Sexual Health Education
- Mentors Inc & College Bound: Mentors
- UMD: Positive Psychology stress reduction intervention taught by college students
- Metro Teen Aids: Sexual Health Education