Superintendent Hofmeister Message to School Counselors - NSCW

National School Counseling Week

A Message from Superintendent Hofmeister to Oklahoma School Counselors

National School Counseling Week is celebrated yearly to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors and highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve social, emotional, academic, and college and career success. 

National School Counseling Week 2021, "School Counselors: All In for All Students," will be celebrated from Feb. 1-5. The goal is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors across the nation. 

Because of the global pandemic, school leaders have faced extraordinary challenges to prioritize the health and safety of students and educators. This also includes the importance of mental health. The pandemic has also shined a light on issues of equity and disparities. School counselors have always been keenly aware of these issues -- that all students do not have the same opportunities for a great education. Issues like hunger, trauma, and poverty impede all aspects of academic success for hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma students. During this time, school counselors have been stepping up to learn new techniques and approaches to help students and school staff deal with this unprecedented time in our history. 

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) understands that school counselors need additional support. The OSDE is hard at work on an updated state-wide comprehensive school counseling framework that will support our school counselors and ensure all Oklahoma students have access to a thorough school counseling program. We are excited about this framework scheduled for release in the summer of 2021. Additionally, there is a great need for more school counselors. The American School Counselor Association recommends a 250:1 student-to-counselor ratio. Oklahoma is currently at 412:1. To improve this ratio and help more Oklahoma students, our Fiscal Year 2022 budget request includes $18.2 million for a School Counselor Corps.

Supporting students who are struggling with trauma must be a priority. However, the job of a school counselor involves much more. School counselors act as a guide to our young people through their educational journey. From academic achievement to career and social and emotional development, school counselors help ensure that all students become productive, well-adjusted adults. Additionally, as a leader and an advocate, school counselors play a critical role in ensuring students and families receive the supports they need to be successful. 

To honor all that school counselors have given to Oklahoma’s students and your school community, I proclaim February 1-5, 2021, as National School Counseling Week in the State of Oklahoma.