From the Chair: Time to Actively Engage
By Tabbatha Johns | March 2025
As dedicated professionals, yo
u play a vital role in advocating within your schools to address the unique needs of your students. Whether it’s ensuring access to mental health resources, promoting academic success or fostering a safe and inclusive environment, your advocacy is essential. We encourage you to continue collaborating with administrators, teachers and families to create policies and practices that support student well-being. By using your expertise and data-driven insights, you can help shape a school culture that prioritizes the needs of all students, especially in times of change and uncertainty.
u play a vital role in advocating within your schools to address the unique needs of your students. Whether it’s ensuring access to mental health resources, promoting academic success or fostering a safe and inclusive environment, your advocacy is essential. We encourage you to continue collaborating with administrators, teachers and families to create policies and practices that support student well-being. By using your expertise and data-driven insights, you can help shape a school culture that prioritizes the needs of all students, especially in times of change and uncertainty.At the state level, our association remains committed to amplifying your voice and championing the profession. We continue to meet with fellow education associations, policymakers and supporters to advocate for the policies and resources necessary for school counselors to thrive. Whether addressing legislative concerns or ensuring fair workloads, we are actively engaged in the conversations that impact you and your students. Your work is important, and we will not stop pushing for the recognition and support that school counselors deserve.
As we move forward, let’s also remember the importance of empowering students to advocate for themselves. By helping them build essential skills in communication, resilience and self-advocacy, we equip them to navigate their educational journey and beyond. Teaching students how to express their needs, set goals and access resources fosters their independence and confidence. Together, we can create a future where students are not only supported by school counselors but are also empowered to stand up for their own success and well-being. Thank you for your dedication to this critical work – we are proud to stand with you.
Contact Tabbatha Johns, Florida School Counselor Association chair, at johns@fla-schoolcounselor.org.
As we move forward, let’s also remember the importance of empowering students to advocate for themselves. By helping them build essential skills in communication, resilience and self-advocacy, we equip them to navigate their educational journey and beyond. Teaching students how to express their needs, set goals and access resources fosters their independence and confidence. Together, we can create a future where students are not only supported by school counselors but are also empowered to stand up for their own success and well-being. Thank you for your dedication to this critical work – we are proud to stand with you.
Contact Tabbatha Johns, Florida School Counselor Association chair, at johns@fla-schoolcounselor.org.