244. Advice for new school counselors with Ashley Bell

Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Throughout the month of April, I’m bringing you guest sessions with experts in the field, and today I’m excited to introduce Ashley Bell. Ashley is a dedicated school counselor with nearly ten years of experience, a curriculum writer, and the creative force behind Mrs. Bell The Crafty Counselor. She specializes in social-emotional learning and emotional regulation, creating engaging resources for educators, counselors, and parents that support children’s mental and emotional well-being. Through speaking engagements, webinars, workshops, and digital resources, Ashley’s mission is to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and the adults who support them.

In this episode, Ashley shares practical advice specifically for new school counselors. She emphasizes the importance of observation in the early weeks of the school year. Rather than jumping in to make immediate changes, Ashley encourages new counselors to listen and learn about the school culture during the first month of school. Visiting classrooms and observing during lunch or recess can provide valuable insight into student behavior, peer dynamics, and overall school climate. These observations help counselors better understand classroom management styles, student needs, and areas of support.

After the initial observation period, Ashley recommends meeting with your principal to discuss expectations and clarify how your role can best support the school. She reassures new counselors that progress doesn’t have to happen all at once—even implementing one classroom lesson within the first nine weeks is a great start. From there, counselors can begin developing a consistent schedule and consider launching small groups based on identified needs. She also suggests avoiding scheduling groups or lessons on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, as these times can often be less effective.

Another helpful strategy Ashley recommends is conducting a staff needs assessment before pushing one out to students. Staff members are often the most aware of behavioral trends and classroom needs, making them a great starting point for gathering data. This can guide counselors in planning relevant and effective services. She also mentions that doing a mid-year needs assessment can be useful once the school year has settled into a routine.

When it comes to collaborating with parents and teachers, Ashley reminds us to be patient. It’s common for others to expect counselors to have all the answers, but it’s okay to set boundaries and be honest about what is and isn’t within your role. Simply listening and offering a supportive presence can be incredibly impactful.

For lesson planning, Ashley recommends building lessons around a character trait of the month. Thinking about the year in smaller chunks can make planning more manageable and allow for deeper focus. Rather than trying to do everything at once, she encourages counselors to prioritize high-quality, intentional lessons that reflect the needs of their students. Growth and confidence will come with experience.

One simple yet powerful tool Ashley uses with students is a quick check-in strategy. She asks students to hold up a one if they need a few minutes to breathe or a two if they’re ready to return to class. This nonverbal system gives anxious or overwhelmed students a way to communicate their needs without speaking, which can make a big difference in helping them feel safe and supported.

This episode is full of practical, encouraging advice for new and seasoned counselors alike. Ashley’s insight provides a grounded and thoughtful approach to starting the school year strong and building meaningful, lasting support for students and staff. Be sure to check the show notes for links to Ashley’s resources and where you can connect with her online.

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Connect with Ashley:

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More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!