Talk about growth

The role of school counselors has evolved into far more than advising students on what classes to take or intervening in a crisis situation, people knowledgeable of the profession say.

“We are an integral part of the educational system, not just special services employees,” said Alma G. Leal, a counseling and guidance professor at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

UTB-TSC’s School of Education will have its first Faculty Seminar Series on Friday, when the Counseling and Guidance Program will celebrate its 35th anniversary from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Cassia Room of the Education and Business Complex.

The commemoration was moved up from fall to February so it could be held during the American School Counselor Association’s National School Counseling Week, which is this week and has the theme “School Counselors: Creating Pathways to Success.”

Leal, a professor in the School Specialties Department and former guidance and counseling professors Charles Comeaux and Emmette Hutto will speak at the event

The three professors will discuss the counseling and guidance program’s creation in fall 1973 when Hutto was its only instructor at the Brownsville Center of Pan American University, the precursor to the current UTB-TSC partnership. Hutto went on to teach at the university for 20 years, retiring in 1993.

Leal said she hopes past counseling and guidance graduates will come back to campus to learn about the program’s growth and future. The program now has four faculty members that teach courses like multicultural counseling, substance abuse counseling and school counseling and guidance.

Leal said the modern developmental model for guidance counselors sees them as an integral part of the school community who take a proactive approach to helping students.

“We make presentations to all students to prevent problems,” she said. “Some of the subjects include responsiveness, respect, appreciation of diversity, study skills and goal-setting”

Fameliza Sanchez, acting director of the Brownsville Independent School District’s Guidance and Counseling Department, said February is the best month to celebrate School Counselors Week “because counselors are the heart of our schools.

“Through their caring skills, counselors are able to foster self respect and self esteem,” Sanchez said. “If you don’t have that, you’re not going to succeed academically.”

She also said that crisis response teams of counselors perform vital services in tragic circumstances.

“Once we’re there we assist the principal in notifying the campus staff and we go to the classrooms and explain what has happened and what is grief,” whether it is the death of a student or teacher, a suicide or other traumatic event such as the 9/11 terror attacks, she said.

“We try to be compassionate and caring because it’s a very hard time for students as well as teachers and staff, she said.

Leal was a student in the first guidance and counseling class offered at what was then Pan American University-Brownsville.

“When I started teaching in 1993, there were 50 to 60 students. I joined Dr. Hutto, who was then the only full-time professor in the program, she said. Today, an average of 125 to 150 students is enrolled in the guidance and counseling program, she said.

Leal said there is “a huge demand” for counselors in job settings ranging from public and private schools to colleges, hospitals and residential homes for troubled youth, as well as professional counselors in private practice.