President's Letter: The Power of Promoting Our Programs

It seems to happen every year: December arrives and catches many of us by surprise. December already? Where has the time gone? You’ve taught lessons, run groups, collected data, conducted numerous individual sessions, and lo and behold, winter break is almost here!

Don’t slow down just yet – this is a critical time to promote your program and your successes thus far. I often hear fellow school counselors hesitating because promoting a school counseling program feels uncomfortable, similar to bragging. As school counselors, we naturally excel at putting others first. We are skilled at shining the spotlight on students, colleagues and stakeholders, while rarely pausing to acknowledge, much less celebrate, our hard work. Let’s shift our mindset. In reality, the primary goal of promoting your program is for the benefit of students; it is not about bragging. Promoting your program is an opportunity in which the benefits are infinite for students, your school counseling program, and the school counseling profession.

One of the most beneficial outcomes of promoting your program is collaboration. When you share elements of your program, key stakeholders become informed and, ideally, actively involved. A teacher may hear about your goal or data-driven group and find ways to support your initiative. A community member may hear about an event or program opportunity and be inspired to volunteer. A school board member may learn about your impact and advocate for an additional school counselor position to lower your student ratio. A principal may hear about your efforts and support your time spent on counseling duties. A student may hear about your services and decide to seek out their school counselor for help. A legislator may become an advocate for school counselors after hearing about your data driven program and services. When you consider the possibilities for collaborative support, it becomes apparent that promotion is an essential component of your school counseling program.

Promoting your program holds enormous benefits for your students, your program and the school counseling profession. You will find support, collaboration and possibly even more effective ways of implementing your school counseling program schoolwide. The next step is to find the best method of promoting your school counseling program. This will vary depending on your school and population. Social media is an excellent way to promote your school counseling program. You can use free infographics to share data through email or on social media. You can also work with students or your technology department to develop a video promoting your program. What other ideas do you have? Promote your school counseling program with us on social media on Facebook and Twitter @VSCA. Use #VSCAshare!
 
Contact Mary Robinson, VSCA president, at vscapresident@gmail.com