My Dream Office
Below is a layout and description of my dream office. The office would be ideal for a middle school counselor and counseling center. This dream office was created at http://www.floorplanner.com.
As school counselors we must always be intentional with our actions and need be aware of how our planning directly influences our students. It is important to take into consideration all of the actions we take and how they help our students. The professional school counselors office should be the warmest room in the building, it should be clearly marked and should be inviting to students, parents and other faculty. Depending on the level you are working at will determine the decor and the resources you have in your office. The school counselors office should reflect the school counselors personality and the layout should be developmentally appropriate.
When students and parents walk into the counseling office they will see comfortable chairs, magazines and newspapers, plants and resources for various activities. At the reception students and parents can pick up various resources including pamphlets for bullying, anxiety, divorce, conflict resolution and various other resources that middle school students encounter in school. On the coffee table will be various literature regarding groups and classroom presentations offered as a way to market to parents and students and to ensure that students are receiving the support they need.
The counseling offices are very similar in nature, however the first office has a smaller conference table and a larger couch. This will enable students to feel very comfortable and will be more helpful when working with younger middle school students. The other counseling office has a larger conference table which can be used for group counseling and mediations. Additionally, there are book cases in both rooms which will include information about college prep, puberty, relational and friendship issues and various other resources to help cope with adolescent related issues.
Lastly, there will be a storage room where all student files can be kept and all seasonal decorations. This is also a place where materials for bulletin boards, display cases and other forms of marketing can be kept safe.
Below is my current office at Burris Laboratory School.
When students and parents walk into the counseling office they will see comfortable chairs, magazines and newspapers, plants and resources for various activities. At the reception students and parents can pick up various resources including pamphlets for bullying, anxiety, divorce, conflict resolution and various other resources that middle school students encounter in school. On the coffee table will be various literature regarding groups and classroom presentations offered as a way to market to parents and students and to ensure that students are receiving the support they need.
The counseling offices are very similar in nature, however the first office has a smaller conference table and a larger couch. This will enable students to feel very comfortable and will be more helpful when working with younger middle school students. The other counseling office has a larger conference table which can be used for group counseling and mediations. Additionally, there are book cases in both rooms which will include information about college prep, puberty, relational and friendship issues and various other resources to help cope with adolescent related issues.
Lastly, there will be a storage room where all student files can be kept and all seasonal decorations. This is also a place where materials for bulletin boards, display cases and other forms of marketing can be kept safe.
Below is my current office at Burris Laboratory School.