A Specialist
The Educational Center Counselor

Dr. Mark Brown is a specialist in child growth and development who has had a strong background in the behavioral sciences and human relations. He also possess a knowledge of the school program which includes the curriculum, the learning process and school organization.

He focuses upon the preventive aspects of guidance, and is primarily concerned with the application of developmental principles in the school through counseling, consultation and coordination.

 
Goals
  • To help children understand themselves and others.
  • To prevent problems from developing.
  • To help identify children with special needs.
  • To provide crisis intervention when necessary.
  • To coordinate or facilitate efforts of others with those of parents, teachers, and administrators.
  • To help develop personalized programs, when applicable, based on each child's strengths, weaknesses and needs.
  
Services Provided

  • Consulting with teachers, parents, administrators and others.
  • Listening in an effort to resolve conflicts.
  • Helping parents understand how to help their children.
  • Referring students to outside referral agencies when appropriate.
  • Consulting with other school professionals regarding curriculum decisions.
  • Explaining test results to help students and parents understand and use the information appropriately.
  • Helping students learn responsibility by becoming aware of the consequences of their behavior.
  • Coordinating the peer mediation process.
  • Promoting goal of the student assistance program.
 
*** WHO WE WORK WITH ***

STUDENTS:

The Counselor works with students both individually and in small groups. The counseling method differs with the student, situation and need.

TEACHERS:

Classroom teachers and Dr. Brown support each others' work through classroom observation, consultation, sharing information and cooperating on referrals for students with special needs.

PARENTS:

Consulting with parents is an important part of Dr. Brown's job. Some of the guidance activities may include: consulting with parents regarding their children, providing parent workshops, meetings for special purposes such as test interpretation, and providing programs for parents of children with specific needs.

OTHER SCHOOL STAFF:

Dr. Brown assists administrators on such areas as developing testing programs, evaluating specific programs, discussing student needs and keeping administrators informed about the guidance program. He also works closely with the School Psychologist and other specialists from agencies like: Northeast Counseling Services, Children's Service Center and Mercy Adolescent Unit.

  
NEEDS ADDRESSED THROUGH GUIDANCE SERVICES

EARLY INTERVENTION IN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Research in child development shows that children establish lifelong behavioral patterns during the ages 10 to 14, the middle years of school. For this reason, it is critical that counseling services be available during these transition years.

HELPING CHILDREN DEAL WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS
WHICH CONFRONT THEM.

These problems include: family drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse, and the problems of a changing family.

EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF SCHOOL PROBLEMS.

Areas covered under this category include helping to identify students who need special education services and working with high risk students such as those who experience difficulties with school attendance, poor peer relationships, behavior problems, transiency and work habits.

HOW CAN WE HELP THE STUDENTS?

  • Helping students do better in school
  • Helping students build positive self images.
  • Helping students develop better interpersonal relationships.
  • Helping students develop good feelings about school, family and society.
 
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE EDUCATIONAL CENTER'S SCHOOL COUNSELOR:
  1. Masters degree in guidance and counseling from an approved counselor education program.
    (Marywood University and Doctor of Education from Temple University.)
  2. Pennsylvania State Certification.
  3. A caring, sensitive demeanor.