Are you a school counselor looking for the best resources to help your students succeed?
Look no further!
This guide includes books, tools, templates, software, and more that will be extremely helpful in your job.
Top Books for School Counselors
Looking for books that will challenge you and provide new perspectives on school counseling?
Check out these titles:
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg
This book shares an approach to communication based on principles of nonviolence. It is not a technique to end disagreements, but rather a method designed to increase empathy and improve the quality of life of those who utilize the method and the people around them.
Work in the Digital Age: A Coursebook on Labor, Technology, and Regulation by Miriam A. Cherry
Focuses on certain technologies: the platform economy and gig work, big data and people analytics, gamification, artificial intelligence and algorithmic management, blockchain technology, drones, and 3D printing.
Building and Managing High-Performance Distributed Teams: Navigating the Future of Work by Alberto S. Silveira, Jr.
The book analyzes team management strategies from some of the great successes and failures in recent years so that you can learn from the experiences of others.
Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke, PhD
The author uses brain science and compassion to understand and solve children’s behavioral challenges. In this specific book, you will focus on a child’s behavior and how to approach each child and their individual needs.
Top Podcasts for School Counselors
Podcasts are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest news and trends in the counseling profession.
Some of our favorites include:
Tests and the Rest: College Admissions Industry Podcast (By Amy Seeley & Mike Bergin)
Mike Bergin and Amy Seeley discuss the latest issues in testing, admissions, learning, and education with leading experts.
Encouraging Words for School Counselors (By Inspire Success)
Short stories with practical tips from school counselors to make your workweek a bit lighter.
School Counselor Gone Rogue (By Marni Pasch)
All about homework, study skills, learning differences, struggling students and the education system
School Counseling Simplified with Rachel Davis
This is an excellent resource for school counselors. The podcast covers time management, self-care, and creating a positive counseling environment. In each episode, Rachel interviews a different expert in school counseling.
Top Online Tools and Apps or School Counselors
There might be times when you need to look up information quickly or access a resource to help you be more effective or brainstorm.
Here are some of the best online tools for school counselors we found:
spotivity
spotivity is a school engagement platform to help school counselors track all in-school and after-school program activities. Students use a mobile app and take personalized surveys to see what they are interested in. Then, they sign up for programs that will all be viewable within their spotivity transcript.
School-Counselor.Org (Tool)
Schoolcounselor.org publishes content like research articles, toolkits, and frameworks to help school counselors become more effective.
Cialfo (Tool)
This is a guidance platform that counselors and independent education consultants can use to manage and collaborate with their students to better equip teens for college. It has an extensive database of schools from around the world which teachers can access, and recommendation letter templates to use on behalf of their students during application season. Cialfo is accessible on the web, Android, iOS, and the WeChat App.
Bubble: Breathing Companion (App)
This app leads students through mindful breathing exercises and offers time for comparing the strength of feelings before and after use.
Counselora (App)
Explore over 200+ free counseling resources and share resources with others. Working together can save time, reduce stress, and improve the counseling profession.
Top Templates for School Counselors
Sometimes brainstorming and working off of templates is the best way to see progress. We’ve listed some of our favorite places for school counselors to get templates for whatever project comes their way.
Teachers Pay Teachers
An online marketplace where teachers buy and sell original educational materials.
Pear Deck
They occasionally release new sets of templates designed for school counselors.
This is an excellent resource for finding creative ideas and templates for your school counseling program. You can search for classroom guidance activities, lesson plans, and bulletin board ideas.
What Makes an Effective School Counselor?
An effective school counselor is someone who is able to develop relationships with students, understand their individual needs and assist them in reaching their academic and personal goals.
A school counselor should also be able to collaborate with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a supportive school environment.
The ultimate goal is to help the student become the happiest and smartest version of themselves.
To make that goal a reality, school counselors must use technology, tools, apps, and resources to assist them in this modern age.
The #1 School Engagement Program for School Counselors
School counseling is a vital profession that helps students in many different ways.
You can use spotvity’s revolutionary app to find after-school activities for high school students across sectors like sport, art, career, tech, and life skills.
With the Spotivity online portal, schools can safely track engagement and compare metrics against their school peers. With the spotivity app, students can take a personalized test that connects them with relevant in-school and after-school activities.
Try spotivity for 6-months, 100% free by clicking here.
