#TheDiaryOfAdulting

The world has been through a major shift the last 3 years, that including the impact it has had on youth and young adults in education.

Have you thought about the importance of school counselors and social workers in the school system? What roles do they play and how do their opinions matter?

It is said that nearly 1 in 5 students don’t have access to a school counselor, given the devastations and trauma, a student may experience. Although the school system is diverse it is still much so segregated when it comes to the needs in communities.

Black students are said to be more likely than Caucasian students to identify with their school counselor as a person of influence when it comes to thinking about postsecondary education.

For social workers, the influence is there to help support the social environment and welfare of a student. Understanding their behaviors in a more direct manner. With this, they are helping families, teachers, school districts to address the issues that are affecting the emotional well being but academically as well.

In a interview with Alexis Charles, who has a Master’s in Social worker and it is a social worker here in the New York City Department of Education. Here is what she had to say on the high school, perfoming arts, and more.

“High schools can be the stepping stone for young adults’ careers by providing the necessary resources and support. For example, students need exposure to different careers, guidance on how to achieve those careers, opportunities that will prepare them for those careers, and the finances necessary that will catapult them to those careers. 

I feel young adults drop out once they get to high school level because they were not provided with the tools, skills, and support that are required for the high school level. 

I feel there is a huge disconnect between the education system and the home environment. The education system does not provide sufficient support to meet students’ needs.

Also, Their home environment may or may not be supportive enough emotionally/financially to satisfy students’ needs. 

I feel like education, performing arts and research are extremely important in students’ lives. Performing arts provide a balance for students outside of education.

Education stimulates the mind to think in ways necessary to navigate through careers and life. Research provides feedback that can possibly lead to growth and improvement.”

With this being a ongoing topic, school counselor Jessica Hunter-Bass, mastering in School Counseloring and guidance services. This is what she had to say concerning the youth, what she has seen and experienced.

“HS gives students the opportunity for exposure to different experiences both in the classroom and interacting socially with their peers. 

Students’ drop out because of the lack of support within large school communities if a student doesn’t reach out, they can fall between the cracks. Once they fall behind there is no motivation to continue and finish.

The disconnect starts well before HS students and the relationships they build with teachers in elementary and middle school give them the idea of how “all” teachers will support and interact with them in the future. 

Each of these aspects are equally important to the lives of youth and young adults.

With research we learn from years past; what worked and didn’t work. Education and performing arts allow students to get in connection to all that they are to pursue the best parts of them.” 

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