President’s Letter: Equity Is the Ultimate Goal of our Work

Fall has finally reached North Carolina and I must say it was a long time coming this year. I looked constantly for signs that seasonal change was on the way but until the first week in October, it seemed that we would go straight from summer to winter. We’ve learned to prepare for the seasonal changes by being aware that they are inevitable and we adjust as needed to these changes. I see you, as a school counselor, doing the same in your building each year. By recognizing the differences in our students and their unique needs, we adjust and prepare to support all students.

As school counselors, we are advocates for ALL students. Equity in our schools is a focus for us each and every day. Webster’s dictionary defines equity specifically as freedom from bias or favoritism. Being constantly aware of any bias or favoritism is an important part of our work as school counselors. We must constantly look not only at educational systems and community, but also at ourselves and our practices.

I hope that in this issue you will have the opportunity to examine ways that you can get involved in being a strong voice for equity. Maybe it’s in your community on a board, maybe you have a support group or club that is needed in your school, or maybe you are well on your way and will continue on your path toward equity.

Personally, I make sure to continue to have conversations that challenge me to constantly look within and recognize areas where I fall short. We all need to continue educating ourselves so that we can be an agent of change in our schools and community.  The recently published book “Interrupting Racism” by Rebecca Atkins (North Carolina!) and Alicia Oglesby might be a good place to start (they also wrote the article in this issue on equity and inclusion). I also suggest taking the time to read ASCA’s position statement, The School Counselor and Equity for All Students.

You are appreciated for the work you do for all students every day. Sometimes you are developing the roots and may never see the results and sometimes you are lucky enough to see the results, but either way – you make a difference!

Contact Lyn Bush, NCSCA president, at president@ncschoolcounselor.org.