“We’re Powerful Too, You Know?” A Narrative Inquiry Into Elementary School Counselors’ Experiences of the RAMP Process

This study utilized a qualitative narrative inquiry to explore the experiences of eight elementary school counselors who successfully applied for and received Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation for their schools. Participants provided insight into motivations, resources, and other considerations that contributed to their success in earning RAMP distinction. The overarching theme, Don’t be afraid to engage in RAMP process, serves to enlighten and guide current and future school counselors in pursuing RAMP designation. This article discusses findings, implications, and future directions for research related to this study.

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The Elementary School Counselor's Role in Fostering Caring School Communities

Professional School Counseling ◽

10.1177/2156759x0801200211 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 2156759X0801200 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jennifer J. Lindwall ◽

Hardin L. K. Coleman

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

School Counselors ◽

School Environment ◽

School Counselor ◽

Elementary School Counselors ◽

School Communities ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Core Set ◽

Personal Experiences ◽

Caring School Community

The school counselor can play a key role in fostering a caring school community (CSC). The counselor can engage in a comprehensive, preventive, and developmental intervention that helps to promote a sense of belongingness. Furthermore, this intervention reflects a strengths-based counseling approach because it considers how contextual changes can be made to promote overall development of youth. Seven elementary school counselors’ perspectives were examined for their understanding about what constitutes a CSC and how they help to facilitate such a context. The school counselors in the study reported the following: There are a core set of elements that they believe make up a CSC; they draw upon their personal experiences within the school environment to help them understand how their CSC efforts can best be implemented; they implement a set of effective strategies to foster a CSC; and they utilize a shared guiding philosophy that is reflected by their efforts to foster a CSC.

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Elementary School Counselors Supporting Students Experiencing Anticipatory Grief

Professional School Counseling ◽

10.1177/2156759x20940653 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 2156759X2094065

Author(s):

Jillian M. Blueford ◽

Melinda M. Gibbons

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

School Counselors ◽

Anticipatory Grief ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Elementary School Counselors ◽

Loved One ◽

Grieving Process

The experience of grief after a death-related loss is endured by many, including elementary-aged, students. However, anticipatory grief, or the grieving process that begins when someone knows that a loved one is dying, can create additional challenges. This article explores how elementary-aged students grieve while anticipating a loved one’s death and how school counselors can use therapeutic approaches to address student’s needs and support them as they prepare for their loss.

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