Running Head: BELIEFS ACTIVITY

Cassie Wolf
Beliefs Activity
EDCEP 857
Kansas State University

BELIEFS ACTIVITY

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Beliefs Activity

Mark Kuranz and Rachelle Perusse wrote about the importance of school counselors
beliefs in an article titled Beliefs Matter (Kuranz & Perusse, 2012). They believe that a school
counselors beliefs are directly related to how the counselor views the students and therefore
their behaviors while interacting with them in the school system. Beliefs are so important
because they dictate what the school counseling program can accomplish for its students.
I believe that all students can and want to achieve in school. When a student is not trying
or just doesnt seem to be getting it like the rest of the students there are barriers there that are
hindering them. Our job as a counselor is to eliminate as many of these barriers as possible. If it
were possible to eliminate all of these barriers then every student could reach high standards.
However, it is impossible to do this, there is only some much time and some things are just out of
our control.
With all of this said I still believe that it is important to understand that it is possible for
any student to achieve high standards and to express that to both the faculty and the students.
First of all, it sets a good example for any faculty who are not sure about a students ability to
succeed. It helps them be more encouraging to that student and to keep striving to help them
along the way.
I think the most important thing that this high expectation for every student can do is
improve the way you work with your students. If this is the case, there is no student that is
beyond help. As a counselor your job is not done until the student has reached their full
potential. By continuing to work with this student you then communicate you expectations for
them which will have a positive effect on how they view what they think they can do.

BELIEFS ACTIVITY

Limited time in the school is always going to be an issue for school counselors. There
are so many children that need your attention and only so much time to do it in. In order to reach
as many students as possible organization and time management are going to be huge. You are
also going to have to learn how you can reach more students at one time by doing things such as
classroom guidance and school-wide programs. Within all of these things you do you are
continually demonstrating this high standard for your students.
It will also be beneficial for the school counselors time and beneficial for the students to
have collaboration between all the schools staff and faculty as well as the parents. With all these
adults in the childs life striving for the same goal it is bound to have a better effect on the
students than having everyone on a different page. The more these beliefs are shared among the
entire school system the more effective they will be in helping the students. A counselors beliefs
should be in line with the school mission and communicated to the rest of the school. Everything
that the counselor does should be in line with these beliefs and aimed toward the mission of the
program.
Four beliefs I have about school counseling programs
1. All students can be successful.
2. Counseling programs should benefit all students.
3. Counselors should collaborate with faculty, administrators, and parents to create the best
learning environment for students.
4. Counseling programs should accommodate for all the cultural differences of the faculty
and students.

References
Kuranz, M., & Perusse, R. (2012). Beliefs Matter. ASCA National Model, 32-33.

BELIEFS ACTIVITY