Embedded Files
Role of a Middle School Counselor
As a middle school counselor, I support students academically, socially, and emotionally during a critical time of growth and change. My role is to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in school, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions about their future.
Through classroom lessons, small group sessions, and individual support, I address a variety of topics such as emotional regulation, self-awareness, peer relationships, conflict resolution, academic strategies, and career exploration. I also collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
Whether a student needs help managing stress, building confidence, solving problems with friends, or planning for high school and beyond, my door is always open. My goal is to empower students with the tools they need to navigate middle school and prepare for a successful future.
Social/Emotional:
Social/Emotional Supports:
Lesson Topics:
4th Grade Guidance Class
In our 4th Grade Guidance class, students gain essential social and emotional skills to help them succeed in school and in life. We begin with understanding how the brain works, exploring the roles of the pre-frontal cortex, amygdala (our fight, flight, or freeze response), and hippocampus in managing emotions and decision-making.
Through the engaging Superflex curriculum, students become superheroes, developing flexible thinking and problem-solving skills to overcome “villains” like distractions, bullying, and negative thoughts. They learn to tackle big versus little problems, practice good sportsmanship, manage worry and anxiety, use appropriate humor, and set boundaries.
We also cover empathy, respect, understanding complex feelings, and showing compassion for others, helping students build a toolkit for respectful, positive interactions. By exploring how our thoughts affect our feelings and behaviors, students gain self-awareness and strategies for making thoughtful, positive choices.
5th Grade Guidance Class
In our 5th Grade Guidance class, students explore emotional awareness and decision-making skills through engaging lessons and activities. Using the Mind Up Curriculum, we learn how the brain processes emotions and decisions, focusing on the pre-frontal cortex, amygdala (responsible for fight, flight, or freeze), and hippocampus. Students practice mindfulness techniques, including core breathing, mindful listening, mindful seeing, perspective-taking, and gratitude.
With the Zones of Regulation curriculum, students identify emotions across four zones, recognize emotional triggers, use calming tools, assess the size of problems, and balance their inner critic with an inner coach. We also cover essential life skills, like handling bullying, meeting basic needs, developing a growth mindset, understanding how thoughts influence feelings and behaviors, problem-solving, and resisting peer pressure.
This class helps students build self-awareness, resilience, and positive relationships as they navigate their social and emotional development.
6th Grade Guidance Class
In our 6th Grade Guidance class, students build important skills for self-regulation and effective communication. Over two weeks, we dive into how the brain manages emotions, focusing on the roles of the pre-frontal cortex, amygdala (fight, flight, or freeze response), and hippocampus. Students learn about fairness, develop self-awareness, and set healthy boundaries.
We explore the concept of what we can and cannot control and how meeting our basic needs helps us thrive. Topics like empathy, effective communication, and conflict resolution equip students with tools for positive interactions and personal growth.
Academic/Career:
Academic Supports:
Lesson Topics:
7th Grade Careers:
Our Middle School Careers class is designed to help students explore and prepare for future success. Through engaging community-building activities, students develop teamwork and communication skills, laying a strong foundation for learning. We dive into topics such as career exploration and understanding the difference between needs and wants to help students envision their ideal lifestyle and career path.
Students learn about the career ladder, values, personality traits, and interests, connecting these insights to career clusters that align with their goals. Goal-setting activities guide students in planning for the future, including exploring colleges and various career paths.
To build financial literacy, students learn the essentials of budgeting and managing finances, including fixed, checking, and savings accounts, credit cards, and loans. By the end of the course, students gain valuable skills in decision-making, financial planning, and career readiness, helping them make informed choices for a successful future.
8th Grade Careers:
Our 8th Grade Careers class prepares students for high school and beyond with hands-on activities and practical skills. Through community-building activities, students learn collaboration and teamwork. Students complete their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP), which includes self-assessments, interest inventories, and a 4-year high school course plan to align their strengths and interests with future goals.
In this course, students engage in career and college research, set personal and academic goals, and create vision boards to bring their dreams to life. They explore entrepreneurship by building their own business, develop essential soft skills, and learn to write cover letters and resumes. Our career readiness lessons are complemented by mock interviews to practice communication skills in real-world scenarios.
Students gain financial literacy by exploring high school graduation requirements, understanding student loans and debt, and applying knowledge in real-life finance scenarios. By the end of the course, students are equipped with practical skills and the confidence to achieve their academic and career goals.
Just Look Up: Five Life-Saving Phrases Every Human Needs To Hear.
Joe Beckman
Finding Self-worth, resilience, confidence, joy, and human connection.
Page updated
Report abuse