President’s Letter: Our Positive Role

Do you have a strong sense of cultural competence at your school? As school counselors, we are the leading advocates for our students, and it is imperative that we work to create a safe space where they can be their own individual person and identify themselves within a certain cultural group. Becoming a culturally competent school counselor requires us to differentiate the diverse cultures within our schools and work to meet the needs of each of them. We can do this by educating our teachers and staff about cultural awareness and sensitivity so they can work effectively with their students. It’s so easy to stereotype certain students based on their race and ethnicity, and it’s important to recognize how our own beliefs can influence our reactions and behaviors when dealing with sensitive topics such as religion, students with disabilities and LGBTQ students.
 
School counselors are in a position where we can promote positive change. Making yourself visible and taking time to observe your students in a variety of settings will strengthen your ability to identify the cultures within your school. Students can also examine their strengths and interests through inventories and self-reflection to help them understand their own biases and where they fit in. The more cultural knowledge and understanding we have, the better we can take cultural actions to develop a productive school environment. Students want to be respected and understood, and a culturally competent school counselor can be the forerunner to effectively reinforce the equity in schools.
 
Contact Laquietta Stewart, Arkansas School Counselor Association president, at laquietta.stewart@jonesboroschools.net.