Black School Counselors Matter
I am a professional school counselor at a predominantly Black high school. As a school counselor, I help students develop academically, emotionally, and socially. I deliver various services through individual consultations, group counseling, and classroom lessons. Unfortunately, the profession is still highly misunderstood. Historically, schools had guidance counselors. Those were educators whose sole purposes were graduation requirements and post-secondary planning. They had little interaction with students, families, and the community. Overtime, our role and purposes have evolved into a more holistic approach - working with the whole child by providing social-emotional support and resources.
YET, there are still school counselors who act as gatekeepers who determine which students have access to higher level courses, programs, and information about college. There are too many accounts of school counselors telling Black students and other students of color that they will not be successful in certain courses or in higher education. Forever First Lady Michelle Obama shared in Becoming (the book and documentary) that the college counselor at her high school stated that she was not “Princeton material”. (Imagine being that person. SMH.) When the Becoming documentary was released on Netflix, there was a Twitterstorm of people sharing similar experiences involving school counselors. Honestly, it was hurtful. I love what I do and to see people express disdain for counselors was upsetting. Their experiences are valid, but it made me question WTH were these counselors doing?!
I need school counselors to give me something to advocate for. School counselors cannot continue to be a part of the discriminatory practices that hinder Black and Brown students in schools. We must be fighting against it and bringing about change. Which leads me to my main point:
BLACK SCHOOL COUNSELORS MATTER!
I became a school counselor simply because I love to help others. However, there are layers within that sentiment. I see school counseling as a method to interrupt and destroy systemic racism that is rampant in public schools. I am careful of my interactions with students and parents to make sure that I am providing them with the best information and service. When I don’t know something, I find out and share. I refuse for my families to be left behind because they did not know or understand. Where someone may find a hopeless situation, I see potential. Everyday I have the ability to help a young person reach their full potential. I take it very seriously. Even when there are tough days, I know that I am serving a greater purpose.
I am not saying that white school counselors are not taking the same care with their students. I just know that Black school counselors bring another perspective to the field and insight that our white counterparts simply do not. For example, I WAS that lone Black student in the gifted program in a rural elementary school. I KNOW the feeling of having all eyes on you and having to perform better than everyone else to prove that you belong. Thankfully, I had a mother who raised me to not have a spirit of defeat, but that is not the case for every child.
According to the 2017 Census data , Black (Non-Hispanic) counselors only made up 19.4 % of the profession. This implies that there are students sitting in offices with someone that does not have those shared experiences or may think less of their abilities to succeed due to bias. This cannot continue. Knowledgable and qualified Black school counselors serve as mirrors and windows. Even though the mirrors-and-windows framework is typically used in regard to curriculum, but it applies here. Black students deserve school counselors that can reflect their own experiences (mirror), and counselors that can provide thoughtful wisdoms about non-shared experiences (windows).
Furthermore, I believe that all students benefit from having Black school counselors. There isn’t a lot of research on this and this not an academic paper. But I am certain that the effect of Black school counselors is similar to the effect that Black teachers have on white students.
My top proposed solutions:
Increased recruitment of Black students into Counselor Education programs
Retention strategies for Black students in Counselor Education programs
Increased full funding opportunities for Black students in Counselor Education programs
Recruitment and retention strategies for Black school counselors by school districts
In Fall 2020, I will begin my journey in a Counselor Education doctoral program. Even though I am a novice I know that I have the skill and ability to push through these solutions. I truly believe in the impact that Black school counselors can have on students’ pathways to their best selves. Black school counselors can equip Black students (and all students) with the necessary tools and encouragement that will uplift them. Black students will be able to see their reflections, and know that they will be more than what society has for them. All of this will take time and dedication.
And I have both.
