How would a school counselor address a wide range of issues in groups?

Answer 1

This question is very typical on most Job Applications! It is very ambiguous and not specific. Think of it this way: If they had asked you this question while interviewing you, what would you say? The best answer depends on what type of job you are applying for and for whom the intended audience is. For example: School teacher- If it involves students-group them according to their abilities and try not to track them. Set up an agenda or schedule that would target your audience's needs. Pick a topic and make it relevant to your lesson plans. While you meet with one group, the others will have some seatwork to do as to not to disturb your session. Then, the next time, meet with the other group on subsequent days. It is a really good idea to know your students well. During the late summer, I call each of my incoming student's parents; introduce myself, and ask a lot of questions about their child's needs and their anticipated needs for their child as well. This really helps me on "opening day." You'd be surprised when my students realize that I already am aware of their needs and background information. Respect and trust is garnered from the start.

Now, if the audience is your coworkers-1-Set an agenda. Use cooperative techniques from the group and identify their roles. List the types of subject matter as headlines on an overhead, or a large poster board. Have the audience discuss which of the issues needs to be dealt with first, and so on. Set up a timetable for discussion and hopefully resolution. Guidelines for group session include mutual respect for one another, everyone's opinion is important, and there should be a time limit so as to move forward. Any matter that cannot be resolved should be tabled or voted on as whether any more time should be alloted-usually this gets your audience to come to an agreement. Remember, you cannot please everyone, so a "fist to five" vote may be necessary with the majority ruling. Tom from Ann Arbor

Answer 2

A school counselor could address a wide range of issues in a group in a few ways. One way might be to have an open-talk among the students in the group so that they could get to know each other first.

Answer 3

Having a group counselling setting can be beneficial so long as everyone takes part. With many students having a variety of different problems and issues it is in my opinion, best to have the students talk to each-other one-on-one with an intervention strategy.

Try having the students ask a question to another student, and the student may answer if they so wish but does not have too, but, in return must end with a question about the other student.

This activity engages the group separately and after the activity you can ask the students to share what they have learned from each other.