I recently read in the SRI newsletter that there is an interest in having school counselors and school psychologist connect around professional learning communities.
In the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, high school counselors formed a community 10 years ago that meets almost monthly during the school year. It is called the Counselor Consultation Group (CCG). The Counselor Consultation Group was proposed by the counselors at Thetford Academy (VT), as a way for area counselors to solve problems, share issues, exchange information and reduce isolation. We use SRI protocols to hone in on issues of concern for area counselors. Our cohort CCG group is larger than a typical professional learning community and includes about twenty-five school counselors, college counselors and student assistance counselors. 10-15 members attend each meeting.
The monthly meetings are held at a centrally located high school and run from 8:15 to 9:45, alternating between Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Each meeting starts off with food and drink, checking in and sharing of information. At each meeting we usually have a presenter who brings an issue to the group and we use an SRI protocol to help us take apart the issue and focus on improving our practice. This keeps us focused even though most of the topics are issues for everyone in the group. Most commonly we look at dilemmas involving student needs or program delivery. Sometimes we look at curricular, policy or school communication documents (transcripts/ profiles, etc.). Occasionally our discussions have led to us inviting outside speakers to share new information or brainstorm solutions to dilemmas with us. Besides short presentations of important area information and programs, we have had meetings with college admissions counselors and mental health professionals to talk about improving process, collaboration and issues of disclosure.
I volunteered to be the facilitator/coach. Eventually the members turned it into a paying position with each school voluntarily contributing to pay a fee to our local SRI affiliate. A unique feature is that I visit the presenter(s) at their school before our meetings. I write up and share by e-mail the overview, focus questions and protocol we will use at least a week before the meeting. I take notes at the meeting and share them with all the members of the CCG.
We also share lots of information and questions online. The counselors have also used the CCG to develop a protocol for communication between schools during a crisis. I have observed that the CCG has been most helpful to new counselors and for discovering how other schools address common issues. There continues to be a strong commitment by area schools to the CCG. The group continues to be dynamic, helpful and a resource for all the counselors.
Feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about the Counselor Consultation Group.
Gene Kadish
Upper Valley Counselor Consultation Group Facilitator
Gene.Kadish@Valley.Net
