Virtual guidance in the modern day classroom
PA Leadership Charter School, a statewide cyber charter school, is recognizing National School Counseling Week by connecting with students virtually and at the school’s on-site locations. The purpose of the week is to bring awareness to the unique role of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems.
Shavaun McGinty, Director of Guidance at PALCS, states “Online learning is not often well understood, much less the role of a cyber guidance counselor. Just like a traditional brick and mortar environment, as counselors, we offer a full compliment of guidance services including individualized course selection, student intervention, weekly online chats, and virtual guidance classrooms. Counselors track with their student throughout their high school education with us. It is amazing the strong relationships we are able to build with our students through the use of cutting edge technology. One advantage of being a cyber student is that our guidance counselors are available to every student, every day.”
The PALCS Guidance Department is hosting live and virtual events throughout the week with an emphasis on character development and future thinking. McGinty elaborates, “It is our desire to motivate our students to strive to achieve their full potential and inspire them to become leaders in their communities.”
The events include daily words of inspiration, desserts for staff, luncheons (on-site and virtually) for high school students with guest speakers from colleges, and a College Wear Day for the entire school community. McGinty concludes, “Each day this week has been carefully designed to encourage our students to consider their choices today and to dream about the future.”
For more information about the PALCS Guidance Department, visit their blog at: http://help.palcs.org/guidance/
