National School Counseling Week 2012, "School Counselors: Helping Students Be Brilliant," will be celebrated from Feb. 6-10, 2012, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents. They work in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world. They focus on positive ways to enhance students' social/personal, educational and career development. Also, school counselors work with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves.

Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.

"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, personal/social skills and career awareness in post-secondary options,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., ASCA executive director. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."

Buncombe County Schools Director of Student Services David Thompson says, "Our counselors provide much-needed support for social/emotional and mental health needs, career guidance, and preparation of students with knowledge about career and college options. The contributions made by our counseling staff to create a safe and orderly environment in which students can learn and thrive are incredibly important to student achievement and improving our graduation rate."

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