Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Cooper named top counselorAcross the nation, educators are recognizing Feb. 7-11 as School Counselors Week, but dont expect Fayette Countys top elementary school counselor to be doing anything differently. Ruth Cooper is on staff at Peachtree City Elementary, where she counsels individual students, facilitates small groups, presents guidance lessons for classes, and offers support and resources to teachers and parents. Sad or angry feelings, family changes, concerns for academic success or school behavior often prompt referrals. Additionally, Cooper organizes group support for students who have similar concerns: improving study skills, handling family changes, learning anger management, or building social skills. Needs of the student population prompt group topics, and written parent permission is obtained for group participation. Each classroom receives a 45-minute visit each month from Cooper to discuss important guidance topics such as personal safety, the topic for January. Cooper develops classroom guidance topics after receiving important feedback from Peachtree City Elementary teachers, and topics are appropriate. Developing listening skills, social skills, and good manners are topics explored in kindergarten through second grade. Third- through fifth-graders talk about developing study skills, knowing learning styles, being familiar with the decision making process, and exploring the connection between rights and responsibilities. Cooper uses classroom guidance time before standardized testing in the fall and spring to help lessen test anxiety and to explore test-taking skills. Because Cooper sees career awareness as an important topic for elementary students, she invites workers from jobs and professions to visit Peachtree City Elementary and share information about their field of work. Cooper makes sure that all grades, K-5, have opportunities to hear about different jobs and careers. Cooper also sponsors Peachtree City Elementarys Student Council. Two students from each class sit on the council, charged with providing community service and random acts of kindness: Making and sending cards to patients at Southland Nursing Home, their neighbor; feeding birds and other animals during the cold months; collecting canned food items for the Optimists Club; and picking up litter around the school. Cooper still finds time to work with parents and faculty when needed. Asked to share her favorite aspect of the job, Cooper was very thoughtful before answering. Those times when I know I made a real connection with a child and made a difference for that child. Then I know that I am here for a reason, she said. Cooper is one of 20 elementary school counselors serving the 17 Fayette County elementary schools. Two social workers also assist countywide. The first three counselors were hired for the 1989-90 school year, and each counselor was responsible for three schools. Now, each elementary has at least one counselor, and each counselor develops his or her guidance plan based on the needs of that schools students and their families.
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