Project EXSEL --Counselors' Office

What is a counselor's role in implementing EXSEL? top
The counselors act as an SEL coach collaborating with teachers in the development and facilitation of Social and Emotional lessons. Counselors may model lessons, provide resources, give feedback to teachers, organize and facilitate teacher meetings and parent workshops, and coordinate with administrative staff.

How can counselors gain administrative support? top
Counselors can provide principals and other administrators with books and resources showing research based support for social and emotional development programs to increase academic performance and reduce violence in schools. Counselors can also talk with principals about how SEL programs work to improve school climate and atmosphere leading to a greater sense of community and school safety. Administrators and counselors may also want to schedule visits to others schools that have an existing social and emotional education component in their curriculum.

How does Project EXSEL fit into the counseling goals and standards? top
Project EXSEL works within the National Standards for School Counseling Programs aiming to promote social and emotional learning within existing curriculum.

How can Project EXSEL be tied with other counseling services? top
Project EXSEL is a proactive prevention program and can be connected with other at-risk counseling services. Counselors are working with students in classrooms giving them the opportunity to identify at-risk students that may not be receiving services.

How does Project EXSEL involve parents? top
All Project EXSEL lessons have a Home and Family component that provides parents the opportunity, at home, to reinforce the social and emotional competencies being discussed at school. Project EXSEL parenting workshops provide parents with additional tools and resources that they can use in fostering the social and emotional development of their children.

Who does the counselor work within Project EXSEL? top
The school counselor tries to engage the entire school community in the development of the Social and Emotional program. It is crucial to have the support of the administrative staff, the participating teachers, students, and parents.

What tools and resources are needed to start this project? top
To begin this project you will need the Project EXSEL curriculum guides and lessons with the companion books. The counselor will also need to establish a local network of experts in the area of social and emotional development to facilitate parent workshops and/or teacher administrator training.