A School Counselor?
Whenever I tell someone what my job is, I usually get one of two responses.
1. Wow. We need more of you.
2. What do you counsel kids about? Do they actually have counseling needs?
The answer to both of those questions is, “Yes.” We do need more counselors and there are lots of kids who have real counseling needs. Unfortunately, many people in the school system believe one of those two questions. Much of my position is either working with people who have a clear understanding of what we are trying to do, or working to justify the importance of my job. My job becomes so much more difficult when I have to fight to do it properly.
Friday I attending a school counseling conference and I am amazed how different it felt to be surrounded by people who understood what I do and wanted to talk about how to make it better. I enjoyed the conference, but was left with the cynical feeling of wondering how it can be implemented in the schools. My education was very optimistic and didn’t prepare me too well to maneuver negative staff situations. Good thing I have my philosophy background to help understand and analyze different points of view so I can make the best of the situation!
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I have heard the same things from my other school counselor friends. Sadly it often takes a tragedy to get the teachers/administrators to realize just how important counselors really are!
(Happy Halloween!!)
I felt the same way with youth ministry. When we were in our first really difficult ministry situation (after years of really enjoyable ones and a positive focused education/internships), I was pretty cynical and frustrated (I’m sure you remember). I was asked to be a part of a panel to share with a college youth ministry class of seniors about to go into youth ministry full time. I was basically the crabby cynic of the group, trying to give a realistic view that while ministry can be the most enjoyable thing in the world, at other times it is the most difficult and everything can seem to go wrong and no one understands what your job and/or passion are about. I felt that there was nothing to really prepare them for continuing in the face of seeming failure at every turn except a crabby lady like me coming in and sharing.
Hey, although your situation is unique, I can relate.
People always think they understand how ministry works when they have never done it as well.
And, school does not prepare you for church culture either.