President's Letter: Superheroes, Unite!

“You can do anything for a semester.” That was my mother’s advice to me when I would complain about the workload of my graduate program at the magnificent University of South Carolina. I would call her for comfort, validation, and encouragement when life became difficult to manage. She reminded me that my worries were temporary, everything would work out, and I would survive. I did. (And so did she!)
 
I often feel the same way as a school counselor. At times I feel overwhelmed, underprepared, and caught off guard. As I was reading Eric Sparks’ (assistant director of ASCA) interview addressing 10 of the biggest challenges faced by school counselors in 2017, it became crystal clear why these uncomfortable feelings keep returning. School counselors are expected to be the resident expert in many varying, diverse areas. You know – some type of superhero who knows all the answers to all the questions, academic, emotional, career, and who can and can’t legally complete the FAFSA. And as my children will readily tell you, I am no superhero.
 
Here is Sparks' list of challenges, many of which go well beyond the responsibilities most people associate with school counselors: mental health issues, stress, bullying, suicide, gender issues, inequity, immigration, planning, balance and burnout. You can read the entire article here. No wonder I sometimes feel overwhelmed, underprepared and caught off guard.
 
So what are school counselors to do to stay sane as we meet the varied challenges of our profession? Unite! Lean on each other for comfort, validation, and encouragement. Attend cutting-edge staff development, network with amazing South Carolina school counselors, and give back to your profession by serving the 700+ PSSCA members as a member of a committee. There are superheroes among us – work with them! Because one thing I have learned during my twenty three years as a school counselor: the semester never ends.
 
I am honored and humbled to be this year’s PSSCA president. Thank you for allowing me to serve and be a part of an organization that not only offers amazing staff development opportunities but encourages friendships within our profession. I assure you that the intention of this board is to grow PSSCA without limits. We will stay focused on serving our membership and supporting the school counseling profession. I look forward to a productive, successful year and invite each of you to participate and, most important, become involved. Become a superhero!
 
Alone we are strong…together we are stronger.
 
Contact Anna R. Duvall, PSSCA president 2017-2018, at aduvall@lexington1.net.