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The Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework of the school counseling program is organized around the both the framework of the counseling profession in general and school counseling specifically interplayed with the conceptual framework of the Tift College of Education.
According to Chi Sigma Iota, the Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, International, counseling as a profession is unique among service providers because of its historical focus upon facilitating optimum human development across the life span. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has developed the ASCA National Model and ASCA National Standards for School Counseling Programs. These foundations expand the image and influence of professional school counselors through Leadership, Advocacy, Collaboration and Systemic Change. Mercer’s program seeks to empower professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community, and the world. The conceptual framework around which the College of Continuing and Professional Studies has developed the School Counseling Program is: “The Transformational School Counselor: Leader, Advocate, Collaborator and Systemic Change Agent”
Within the context of a distinctive Baptist heritage, the inclusion of the Paideia ideal and know-how of blending theory and practice, the Tift College of Education Department of Teacher Education has chosen for its conceptual framework the theme “The Transformational Educator-To Know, To Do, To Be.”
Combined Conceptual Framework:
TIFT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
THE COLLEGE OF CONTINUING & PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
The Transformational Educator:
To Know, To Do, To Be
Leader, Advocate, Collaborator, & Systemic Change Agent
To Know the foundations of the education profession, content bases for curricula, and characteristics of diverse learners.
Leadership. Professional School counselors lead in the promotion of student success by understanding the foundations of the profession, the philosophy, techniques, and theories of counseling, and the barriers to learning that are faced by a diverse student population.
To Do the work of a professional educator in planning and implementing well integrated curricula using developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive instructional strategies, materials, and technology.
Advocacy. Professional school counselors work proactively to remove barriers to student success academically, socially, and in the area of career development and planning to assure that the needs of all students are being met.
To Be a reflective, collaborative, and responsive decision-maker, facilitator, and role model within the classroom, school, community, and global environment.
Collaboration and Systemic Change. Working with all stakeholders, professional school counselors build effective teams that work toward equity, access, and academic, social, and career achievement for all students. Through the use of data driven decision making, professional school counselors examine existing policies and procedures and create new opportunities for increased student achievement.
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