Post on 22-Dec-2015
What’s the School Counselor’s Role in a Mass
Customized Learning Environment?
Regional Mass Customized Learning Summit
June 24, 2015Presented by: Natalie Selchert
K-12 School Counselor, Gayville-Volin School District (Gayville, SD)
Outcome
• Participants will leave this presentation with a better understanding of the role a school counselor can serve as a member of the mass customized learning team, and how a school counselor can support the personal, social, academic and career development of learners.
Introduction & Background
• K-12 School Counselor for GV School District (15 years)
• GV School District demographics – small, rural, low/mid SES, predominantly white (90%)
• Technology-forward district for many years; One-to-one laptop school 7-12; technology readily accessible for all PK-12 learners
• Began the MCL journey two years ago along with ambitious team of JH/HS staff
• District has taken gradual steps to embrace MCL and transform education for learners
• We like to say “YES” to intentional learners!
The MCL Journey at G-V
• Increased technology integration
• Flipped classroom model
• Modified calendar and period schedule structure
• Designated student enrichment & remediation days
• Thursday customized learning block
• Incorporating more distance learning, seminar academies, dual credit, work and service-based learning
• Incorporating more vital technology-based programs and resources
• Changes in grading system (F to I)
• Summer course completion
• Adaptations to staff contracts
So where do I fit in
here?How can I, as the school counselor, contribute to the
transition toward a mass customized
learning environment?
What is our mission?
• GV School District – Empowering all students to succeed in the global community as productive citizens.
• GV School Counseling - Empower all students to experience educational success by providing guidance in the areas of academic, career, and personal-social development; counseling to help students overcome challenges that interfere with learning; and advocacy for an environment that supports equal opportunity for achievement. With the support of the school counseling program, students become effective learners, responsible citizens, and productive members of a global workforce.
Exit Learner Outcomes (Inevitable, Schwahn & McGarvey, 2012, p.48)
The Graduate is a Self-Actualizing Person Who:
• Formulates, articulates, defends, and applies a personal set of core values.
• Prioritizes work, family, and personal time for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
• Lives a healthy life that includes physical activity, good nutrition, relaxation, and spirituality (I would add “mental health and healthy relationships”).
• Sets, pursues, and accomplishes personal goals.
• Accepts personal accountability for his/her words and actions.
• Contributes to society and makes decisions with others in mind.
• Manages and budgets time, money, and other resources effectively.
• Adjusts and adapts to change, stress, adversity, and successes.
• Seeks, reflects upon, and adjusts to feedback.
• Reflects deeply, learns from experiences, and continuously improves self in all aspects of living.
Significant Overlap in MCL Exit Learner
Outcomes with ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
The “ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness
Standards for Every Student" describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to achieve academic
success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development.
The standards are based on a survey of research and best practices in student achievement from a wide
array of educational standards and efforts.
So…How can we work together to achieve these goals?
• Acknowledge that every member of the educational team brings unique and valuable knowledge, experiences, background, and skills to the table
• Learner, Learning Facilitators, Administrators, School Counselors, Support Staff, Parents, Community Partners…
Potential School Counselor Roles & Responsibilities
• Guide learners in reflecting to gain self-knowledge (help learners become experts about themselves)
• Guide learners in planning and personalizing their learning
• Guide learners in seeking out and accessing a variety of learning opportunities
• Guide learners in becoming reflective, respectful and responsible citizens
• Guide and support learners in identifying and overcoming barriers or obstacles to learning and success
• *Keep in mind that school counselor roles & responsibilities will be dependent on factors such as school size, level and setting.
Reflect to Gain Self-Knowledge
My beliefs: • As we work to customize
learning, we must help learners become experts on themselves.
• Many learners lack self-awareness, so efforts to customize without taking time to help learners reflect upon themselves are futile.
Reflect to Gain Self-Knowledge Areas to Explore
• Personal/social strengths and weaknesses
• Academic strengths and weaknesses
• Talents / Skills / Abilities
• Learning Styles and Preferences
• Values
• Learning Interests
• Learning Goals
• Career Interests
• Post-Secondary Learning Interests and Opportunities
Reflect to Gain Self-Knowledge Potential Tools/Resources and Products
• Tools/Resources (handout):• Personal/Social Self-
Assessments
• Academic Self-Assessments
• Career Self-Assessments
• SD My Life
• Products:• Learner Portfolio – houses
relevant learner products (learner shares with stakeholders – facilitators, advisor, school counselor, parents, community partners, etc.)
Plan and Personalize Learning
• School Counselor guides learners in the development of Personal Learning Plans (PLP)
• 8th and 9th graders develop an initial PLP using the SD My Life program
• 10-12th graders update and adapt their PLP’s at least a few times per year to reflect any changes in their interests, plans and goals
Seek Out and Access a Variety of Learning Opportunities
• Distance Learning Courses (SDVS/SILDL)
• Dual Credit
• Local CTE Academies & Courses
• Summer Learning Opportunities
• Leadership Seminars
• Career Camps
• College Fairs & Campus Visits
• Job Shadowing
• Internships
• Service Learning
Develop as a Reflective, Respectful and Responsible Citizen
• Model the 3 R’s
• Classroom Guidance
• Peaceful Conflict Resolution Program (Kelso’s Choice)
• Individual and Group Counseling
• Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports Program (PBIS)
• Character Counts! Program
• Bullying & Violence Prevention
Identify and Overcome Obstacles to Learning and Success
• Classroom Guidance
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Classroom Advising
• Individual Advising
• Teachers As Advisors Program
What’s Next? GV School District
• Standards-Based Report Cards / Instruction, Assessment & Reporting Based on Learning Outcomes / Changing ABC Grading System
• Multi-age Classrooms
• Elementary Focus
• ?? Grade Levels / Assigned Classrooms
• ?? Nine-Month School Year
• ?? Class Periods / Bell Schedule
What’s Next?GV School Counseling Program
• Goal 1: Increase Community Partnerships to Expand Learning Opportunities• Yankton Area Progressive Growth
• Career Explorers Club
• CTE Opportunities
• Goal 2: Revamp/Meld Freshmen Foundations and TAA to “Successful Learner Seminars” (Levels 7-12)• Phase 1: Levels 9-10
• Phase 2: Levels 7-8 & 11-12
Feel free to contact us at GV School District!
Natalie Selchert K-12 School CounselorP.O. Box 158Gayville, SD 57031Phone: (605) 267-4476 ext. 103Email: Natalie.Selchert@k12.sd.us
Jason Selchert Superintendent & Technology CoordinatorP.O. Box 158Gayville, SD 57031Phone: (605) 267-4476 ext. 104Email: Jason.Selchert@k12.sd.us