Legislative Counsel Bill Howell House Richard Sullivan Muriel Lamois House Erika Williams K
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Legislative Staff Directors Judy Wyatt Professional House Steve Landes School Counseling By BRETT WELCH When talking with our Virginia Senators coordination, special education meetings, and Delegates, we often hear two key and Response to Intervention, committees, apropos questions: what role do school volunteer coordinator, etc. Though each Not Pictured counselors play in our schools and what do of these tasks is important and necessary, we need to do our jobs more effectively? and every faculty member must contribute Karla Williams Boughey Karen Papasodora- Professional school counselors are in every so that each school runs effectively, too Senate Cochrane school level (Elementary, Middle and High) many of these hats being stacked upon Walter Stosch House wearing professional hats of all shapes, the counselors’ heads inhibit them from James Leftwich colors and sizes! First and foremost, we are doing the necessary and crucial work of David A Bovenizer mental health professionals and licensed running comprehensive school counseling House Jennifer Peters educators trained in school counseling programs from which students directly R. Lee Ware House with unique qualifications and skills to benefit. Our current Virginia standard of Margaret B. Ransone address all students’ academic, personal/ accreditation §8VAC 20-131-240 is for Margaret Dalton social and career development needs. We school counselors to spend a minimum of House Rose Pruden collaborate with school stakeholders to 60% of our time to counseling of students, Randall Minchew House advocate for students to feel safe, ensure though the national standard is a minimum Joseph Lindsey Abbi Easter equity and access to educational rigor, and of 80%. One thing school counselors need Senate BJ Robertson encourage the leader inside each of them to to do our jobs more effectively is to raise Donald McEachin House pursue what lies beyond K-12 education. this state bar legislatively so that school Chris Head We are often the hearts and the historians counselors can spend 80% or more of their Linda Gross of the schools, as we work with multiple time working with students to help them be House Judy Robinson children in a family, becoming the bridge successful academically and emotionally so Manoli Loupassi House between home and school and advocate that they can prepare for and successfully Bobby Orrock for the whole child. We have the unique pursue their future education and career Gretchen Heal opportunity to look at the big picture for opportunities. We so value the relationship House Lisa Scott each student, as we are typically his/her we have with our legislators taking the time David Yancey House counselor over multiple years, and parents to hear from and listen to those with boots Edward Scott rely on us to be their voices when they on the ground every day in our schools James Heo cannot be present. Our goal and mandate is and the hearts and voices of the students House Cheryl Simmons Mark Sickles Senate to address the needs of all students through foremost in mind. Thank you for asking Jeff McWaters prevention and intervention programs those questions and valuing our responses. Jody Hopkins that are a part of a comprehensive school Thank you for working and advocating for House Jason Stanford counseling program. [Adapted from VSCA Virginia’s kids. Know that we, as school Robert Bloxom House Professional School Counseling Program counselors, strive to do the same with Alfonso Lopez Manual, (VSCA, 2008)] Unfortunately, passion and perseverance each and every Glen Hudgins there are many other responsibilities day to help each student reach high and Senate Peggy Tyree-Wells outside of these essential roles that also succeed. Frank Wagner Senate fall to the counselor, though what those Charles Colgan Ms. Brett Welch, MA is a professional school responsibilities are differ in each school counselor and VSCA President-Elect. Renee Hudson building, i.e. lunch duties, state testing V House Rama Van Pelt Bobby Orrock House David Bulova Kate Kruk House Matthew Weinstein Legislative Counsel Bill Howell House Richard Sullivan Muriel LaMois House Erika Williams K. Rob Krupicka, Jr. House John G. “Chip” Dicks Joe Morrissey FutureLaw, LLC Gina Lauterio House 1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 403 Randall Minchew Richmond, Virginia 23226 V (804) 225-5507 (Direct Dial) [email protected] (804) 225-5508 (Fax) www.futurelaw.net VIRGINIA CAPITOL CONNECTIONS, WINTER 2015 28.