What Numbers Should High School Counselors Keep in Their Contact List?
New counselors should prioritize relationships and compile a robust list of contacts to reach out to when they need assistance.
While at the YMCA on a Sunday, I met a young woman who was a recent college graduate. She was extremely excited to be a new teacher in the fall. I gave her a few tips for new educators and continued with my day. As I left, I started to think about how I had a Rolodex on my desk many years ago. I could easily flip through to find important contacts.
9 Types of Contacts that New Counselors Need
1. People you meet at networking events: I attended my first conference when I was an admissions counselor. It was inspiring to meet so many higher education and K–12 educators. At an evening reception, I watched a veteran admissions counselor work the room. She had a stack of business cards in her hand and smiled with confidence as she introduced herself to people at the event. She collected cards from people and followed up within a few days. Building your tribe is important. You need people.
2. Mental health professionals: Ask people in your network for the best referrals for social workers, grief counselors, and mental health professionals. You’ll need to be able to share resources with families, and some therapists in your community may not be taking new clients. In my area, there are times when it can take three to six months or more for families to find a specializing counselor. Create a database if your school doesn’t already have one. Other resources include Psychology Today and the school resource officer.
3. Free training workshops, both online and in person: Attend free workshops in your area for suicide prevention, mental health, and special education, and learn as much as you can about trauma. For grief counseling, I have Lisa Good’s contact information. She is an expert from Urban Grief who helps students and families process trauma. Cook Barrett, a gang prevention coordinator in Albany, New York, became a valuable resource many years ago. He is knowledgeable and dynamic and speaks to districts across the country.
I believe every educator should understand adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and know how to help students. I’ve attended numerous free ACES trainings, one of which featured Dr. Nadine Burke Harris. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) site offers free templates and videos for counselors. Last year, I applied for a grant and attended the ASCA conference for free. I use tools and resources from that conference weekly.
Here are some additional free lessons and counselor resources:
4. College admissions counselors: I’ve spent quality time building my network. You’ll attend many professional development workshops and lectures. Keep track of people you meet who could be a great speaker for a parent night, workshop, or classroom visit. These are also great people to call when you have questions in the future. I attend local college fairs and meet college representatives who are interested in visiting our school. I’ve met authors and entrepreneurs who love to present to K–12 students.
When college admissions counselors are recruiting in your area, they may have time to come visit your school if you contact them early. Many college representatives are creating their fall recruitment schedules right now (in the summer). The director of admissions from Siena College, Katie Szalda, and associate director of admissions from University at Albany, Marcia Hoyte, have been partners with us to assist with our application boot camp for first-gen students in August. We have also contacted admissions counselors who have conducted mock admissions interviews with our students.
5. Professionals who can help students with post–high school planning: At a local conference for educators, health care professionals, and trade programs, I met a member of our local plumbers and steamfitters union. He came to our high school to present to students about trade programs. We also have military representatives visit our school during the day to answer questions for students.
Finally, one of the local high schools in my area networked with many groups to offer a trade fair for students. Our school was invited to attend because I contacted the coordinator.
6. Local stores (for gift certificates and free goods): Check with your local grocery stores, restaurants, and department stores to see if they will donate to your school events. Local businesses have been very generous over the years to donate $25 gift cards to us when needed. One of our student clubs, African, Latinx, Asian, Native American & Allies (ALANA), coordinates our AAPI Food Fest Fundraiser and was excited to receive more than 18 donations from local businesses and restaurants.
Each year, the owner of Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen comes to our school to cook with our culinary class. She also assisted us in the past with Black History Month by cooking with the kitchen staff and sharing her enthusiasm for food with students.
You can also create a list of local restaurants for your visitors and special guests. We’ve received gift cards from local stores to purchase water, snacks, and granola bars for college representatives at the high school.
7. Parents and parent groups: Parents and guardians are a wonderful resource. Build your Rolodex with parents who offer to present to students, provide job opportunities, and have internships. Our local parent organizations have donated to fundraisers, provided grants, and served as mentors for students.
8. Supervisors, department chairs, and administrators: I keep all our department supervisors’ numbers handy. I recently had a student in my office who was having a difficult time making decisions about courses for the next year. I texted the science supervisor, and she was in my office in five minutes. This has happened frequently, and I am thankful for their responsiveness in helping students. I also stop by their offices to consult with them about different issues and just to say hello. It’s all about relationships!
9. Internship opportunities and jobs: Check in with your graduates, local businesses, and chamber of commerce for job opportunities and internships, and consider facilitating a dynamic, interactive, and informative career fair. Many years ago, more than 75 organizations from our local area attended our career fair, including the military, colleges, the local fire department, and a diverse group of businesses (everything from vets to lawyers, plumbers, and architects). For years, a member of the local chamber of commerce came to the high school to help us plan the program.
Although you probably use Microsoft Excel and Google Docs more than a Rolodex these days, keep adding valuable resources to your contact list over time. Good luck this year—it will be an adventure!