Mr. Joe Hall is the current seventh grade counselor at Century Middle School. He has an important job helping students with both personal and academic issues, and also has a big part in helping students get registered for their chosen classes.
Unlike teachers who have a rigid schedule of classes each day, counselors have a variety of tasks and responsibilities that are done throughout the day. Mr. Hall begins his day around 8am. Much of his job involves supporting students with their academic and social emotional needs.
“It's kind of also just being available in case there's a crisis," says Mr. Hall.
Counselors also meet with teachers and administrators throughout the week. Once a week they attend core meetings with each core in their grade level to collaborate with teachers.
“A big part of my job is going into classrooms to do lessons on different things,” said Mr. Hall. “I'm doing college and career planning, social emotional learning, going in [the classroom] and helping kids.”
Counselors don’t spend all of their time working directly with students. They also need to work with students’ families, teachers, and other school staff. A big part of the work counselors do is communication.
“A lot of communication with families, a lot of communication with teachers,” explains Mr. Hall. “We work with students on 504 plans and so we have to set those meetings up and communicate with those families about those meetings.”
With so many things to get done, Mr. Hall uses lists of tasks to complete, which helps him stay prepared and organized. Our counselors do a lot more than you might expect him, so make sure to give them some appreciation next time you see your counselor!
