Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
- Why is Guidance a part of my child's curriculum at Medina Elementary?
- When is the best time to speak with you?
- How can I contact you?
- What is Character Education?
- How do I find a copy of the School Counseling and Career Guidance standards?
- Why Elemenatry School counselors?
Why is Guidance a part of my child's curriculum at Medina Elementary?
The State of Tennessee has granted School Counseling and Career Guidance
curriculum standards for grades K-12. The counseling program at Medina
Elementary School follows the Tennessee School Counseling and Career Guidance
Standards for grades K-2 and grades 3-5.
These standards focus on three areas - Academic Development, Personal/Social
Development, and Career Development. The Tennessee School Counseling and
Career Guidance Standards are statements of what students should know and be
able to do as a result of participating in a school counseling program. Since
the purpose of such a program is to ensure that all students can achieve
school success through academic, career and personal/social development
experiences, these standards represent what a school counseling and career
guidance program should contain and establish similar goals, expectations,
support systems and experiences for every student. The organizational design
of the standards reflects the nine standards in the National Standards for
School Counseling Programs developed by the American School Counselor
Association, which, in turn, are based on the three widely accepted and
interrelated areas of student development: academic, career, and personal and
social development.
The standards and expectations
* for academic development guide the school-counseling program to
implement strategies and activities to support and maximize learning;
* for career development serve as a guide to provide the foundation for
acquiring the attitudes, knowledge and skills that enable students to make a
successful transition from school to the world of work and from job to job
across the career life span;
* for personal/social development provide the foundation for personal and
social growth, which contributes to academic and career success.
When is the best time to speak with you?
The best time to contact me is between 8-9 am and 2-3 pm. I have set aside
these times for office work. But please feel free to call the school 783-3660
anytime and leave message if I can not be reached.
How can I contact you?
If you can not reach me by phone, email is the next best thing. I can be
reached at ttate@k12tn.net
What is Character Education?
Through a collaborative effort between home, school and the community,
character education guides students in developing positive ideals and good
habits that will improve behavior, school climate, and ultimately academic
performance. Students are provided opportunity and example for becoming
conscientious and productive citizens in their school, community and nation.
By integrating character traits like caring, respect, responsibility,
trustworthiness, citizenship and fairness into all areas of the school
experience, students will gain better self-awareness and the desire to become
more socially responsible.
Effective character education creates a circle of trust and respect among
students, school staff, parents and the community. All should make every
effort to encourage individual good as well as common good.
-State of Tennessee definition
How do I find a copy of the School Counseling and Career Guidance standards?
A copy of Tennessee School Counseling and Career Guidance standards are on
file in my office. You may request to view these at any time or you can go to
the Tennessee Department of Education website below and view the standards.
tennessee.gov/education/ci/cistandards2001/guidance/cicounseling.htm
(Paste link into address bar of any browser)
Why Elemenatry School counselors?
Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes
and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident
learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program,
counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to
create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention,
early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children
can achieve academic success. The professional elementary school counselor
holds a masters degree and required state certification in school counseling.
Maintaining certification includes on-going professional development to stay
current with education reform and challenges facing todays students.
Professional association membership enhances the school counselors knowledge
and effectiveness.