Education Commons^™

School Counseling At Hansen Elementary, Addi Seybert

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Over the course of the spring semester, I partnered with Hansen Elementary to fulfill my Psychology Cooperative Education internship. While there, I worked closely with the school counselor (Jen Alexander) to teach children K-6 about things such as emotional well-being, conflict resolution, making goals, and building healthy, lasting relationships. As one of the interns, I was able to meet with students one-on-one as well as assist faculty in classroom lessons. My role at Hansen Elementary has opened my eyes to the world of school counseling and has inspired me to pursue a career in the field.

Hansen Elementary School Counseling, Brianna Swarm

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Last semester I had the opportunity to work closely with Jen Alexander, a school counselor at Hansen Elementary School. As a school counselor, Jen helps kids develop social skills, improve their learning, understand their emotions, and much more in order to help them thrive while they are in school. My poster discusses all the things I learned from interning at Hansen. It also goes into detail about what school counselors do, the best parts about being there, and research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how they can affect kids.

Adolescents And Sexting: The Various Consequences And Strategies For Schools To Respond, Scotti Hagensick

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Cell phone usage is at an all-time high among teenagers (Lenhart, 2009). As more adolescents utilize cellular devices to communicate, behaviors such as “sexting” have dramatically increased. Known as the sharing of sexually explicit photos, messages, or sexual content, students often report the motivation to sext focuses on gaining popularity or status with the opposite gender (Vanden Abeele, Campbell, Eggermont, & Roe, 2014). Unfortunately, for many teens, sexting often results in serious consequences including potentially registering as a sex offender and/or facing child pornography charges. In many cases, individual states are not clear on sexting and its legality for minors, …

Trauma-Informed Services And Trauma Awareness Among Staff On The College Campus, Tricia Wisniewski

Honors Program Theses

For college students to work through the effects of trauma and be able to live a more normalized life, the availability of effective trauma-informed services on campus environments is crucial. Therefore, I chose to investigate the availability of trauma-informed services to all students on the college campus. The purpose of this study is to examine the relatively unexplored area of trauma informed services in the context of college campus through survey methods at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). In particular, this study focuses on trauma-informed services and employees’ trauma awareness in four service units on the UNI campus: the …

Depression In Children And Adolescents: The Role Of School Professionals, Emily Dawn Hoerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Depression in children and adolescents is a significant issue for schools. Research has indicated that most students who see mental health professionals do so within the school setting, indicating a need for effective school-based programs to address mental health issues in the schools. The symptoms of depression and short and long term effects are reviewed. The need for, and necessary components of, a comprehensive mental health system in the school setting is discussed.

Career Cruising Impact On The Self Efficacy Of Deciding Majors, Anthony William Smothers

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of Career Cruising© on self-efficacy of deciding majors in a university setting. The use of the self-assessment instrument, Career Cruising©, was used with measuring the career-decision making self-efficacy in a pre and post-test with deciding majors. The independent variables are the Career Cruising ©, self-assessment instrument, gender, age, ethnic background, year in college, GPA, generation of education, and involvement. The dependent variables are the levels of self-efficacy in the five subscales of pre and post-test results. Those subscales include Accurate Self-appraisal, Gathering Occupational Information, Goal Selection, Planning for …

Intensive Mentoring : Stimulators Of And Barriers To Coaching, Spiritual Guiding And Discipling Relationships, David Alan De Jong

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

After reviewing data from over 600 case studies of mentoring, Stanley and Clinton (1993) concluded many people long for intensive mentoring relationships yet miss out on opportunities because they simply do not understand the true nature of mentoring. The stories of my intensive mentors and their mentors will bring greater clarity, depth, breadth, and an applied perspective to intensive mentors on Stanley and Clinton's mentorship continuum. The goal of my qualitative research was to provide an opportunity for the reader to connect to my story and the stories of my mentors to draw conclusions for themselves concerning pieces of the …

Resident Assistant Use Of Student Development Theory And Its Relation To Supervisor Knowledge And Use, David Michael Schmid

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Resident assistants perform various functions and serve students in many aspects during their time in university residence halls, with one of their central responsibilities being to encourage student development. This study examined the use of student development by resident assistants and its relation to supervisor knowledge and use of student development theory.

Informal conversational interviews were conducted with three Residence Life Coordinators at the University of Northern Iowa and three Hall Directors at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Between two and five of the resident assistants supervised by these individuals were also interviewed.

Results indicate that while resident assistants may …

Divorce And Its Effects On The Development Of Children, Lisa Barron

Graduate Research Papers

More than likely, children are not part of the decision making when it comes to divorce. They are the innocent bystanders of divorce that have no choice but to become an integral part of an adult issue. There are no rules books with specific directions to depend on when it comes to children understanding the separation of their parents. Children of divorce need resources, guidance, and more than ever, commitment and consistency from significant people in their lives. Divorce has no boundaries and carries no prejudice. Divorce effects all ages, ethnicities, races, gender, and socio-economic levels. In the earlier part …

Mediation As An Effective Method To Transform Relationships And Resolve Conflict, Julie R. Kneip

Graduate Research Papers

Mediation has become a well-respected method of conflict resolution. It is currently utilized in a variety of areas including family situations such as divorce and custody concerns, employer and employee disputes, and individual conflicts. Mediation occurs on a global level as well, including intervention with countries engaged in conflict with one another and countries with governments at odds with their constituents. In the United States, mediation is often seen as a way to lower the burden on the courts by having parties resolve issues with the help of a mediator rather than further clogging the judicial system. While this is …

Counseling And Educating Deaf Individuals, Sarah Zollar

Graduate Research Papers

Counseling and educating deaf individuals involves unique and important skills that professionals need to have. This paper researches different areas of concern, including ethical dilemmas facing the deaf culture, the importance of clear communication, appropriate uses of interpreters, and the importance of confidentiality in counseling. A project was developed in conjunction with this paper, which includes flash cards with some basic signs. These flash cards could be used in a variety of settings, including a classroom. Future research areas are also discussed, including the use of new technologies and continued observation of the differences in diagnoses between hearing and deaf …

Character Counts! Incentive Program : Implementation And Evaluation, Julie A. Rouse

Graduate Research Papers

In order to better serve the school population, the school counselor is often called upon to deliver the counseling curriculum to all students. Data often drives the curriculum the counselor will present to the students. As a result of a program audit and perception data, a school counselor at West Elementary chose to implement a character education piece to the curriculum. Furthermore, an incentive program was added to encourage positive behavior and to recognize student achievement. Due to the age of accountability, the school counselor created a survey to assess the program. In addition to the survey, other sources of …

Accountability For Comprehensive School Counseling Programs In Iowa, Emily N. Janssen

Graduate Research Papers

This paper reports on the increasing trend for school counselors across the country to provide accountability for their comprehensive counseling programs. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) enacted in 2002 provides a rational for this trend. This paper examines related literature and describes implications for counselors, particularly for those practicing in the state of Iowa. A working definition of accountability within the context of education is offered. In an effort to inform professional school counselors of their newly defined responsibilities, the National Model developed by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is explored in detail and suggestions for practicing …

A Journey Of Advising: Experiences Of Doctoral International Students And Faculty Advisors In The College Of Education At A Midwestern University, Madalina Florentina Tincu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the last five decades, higher education in the United States has faced a large influx of international students (Institute of International Education, 2004). However, a review of selected literature showed a paucity of research on faculty advising graduate international students. The literature pointed out that not all institutions were prepared to work with the international student population (Adrian-Taylor, Noels, & Tischler, 2007; Khabiri, 1985; Seeger, 1993) and that further investigation was needed in the area of faculty advising related to international students (Adrian-Taylor, et al.; Trice, 2003). Therefore, this study focused on the following research question: How do selected …

Counseling Gifted Youth : Problems And Procedures, Susan C. Koldenhoven

Graduate Research Papers

Gifted youth in the United States are a special and often misunderstood population. The purpose of this study is to share research done on this group. The research reviewed gives both general knowledge on the gifted population and how they interact throughout the counseling process. Specifically, the paper discusses characteristics of gifted children, common issues faced by the gifted population, including in the classroom, with peers, and within families. The paper also discusses counseling agendas for gifted youngsters, counseling assets of the gifted child, and effective interventions used for gifted youngsters.

The Factors Preventing The Successful Implementation Of A Middle Level Advisory Program At One Middle School, Gina Grasso Leonard

Graduate Research Papers

This study investigated the feelings and conceptualizations about Advisory Programs of the teachers at one middle school in Southeast Iowa. Interviews were conducted to uncover the teachers' thoughts and perceptions on Advisory Programs at their middle school. The collected data was then evaluated and recommendations were made.

The Relationship Of Undergraduate Cognitive Development And Academic Advising Preference At Two Small, Private, Liberal Arts Colleges, Vicki Van Vark Edelnant

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Though developmental advising has been widely accepted for some time, some recent studies have questioned whether this approach to advising is universally appropriate. The primary purposes of this study were to determine what, if any, relationship exists between students' preference for academic advising approach and either their level of cognitive development or their gender.

One hundred seventy-three students at two small, private, liberal arts colleges completed the Academic Advising Inventory (AAI) to assess their advising preferences and the Measure of Epistemological Reflection (MER) to measure cognitive development levels. A correlation coefficient of scores on the AAI and the MER indicated …

School Counselors And Character Education, Jacob M. Mueller

Graduate Research Papers

Character Education can be an essential aspect of creating a respectful climate in the school setting. Tragic incidents in schools across the country have heightened the awareness of how to create positive situations for all students who attend public schools. Too often, this awareness is not followed up with action. Character Education is an opportunity for educators to step up and put actions behind their lip service. Legislation surrounding education in America today sometimes creates difficult obstacles in implementing programs to foster a positive school environment. It can be done however, and is being done.

The Role Of Today's High School Counselor In Working With Students With Special Needs, Josh T. Carnelley

Graduate Research Papers

This paper presents the rationale, history, and the legislation that has impacted school counselors' work with special needs students. This paper discusses the many roles a school counselor plays in working with this population. These roles include, but are not limited to, personal counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance, consulting with teachers, consulting with families, career and postsecondary plans, and the involvement of the counselor in the evaluation process. Concluding statements from the author will revisit the many roles of the counselor and implications for working with this population in the future.

Components Of Effective Peer Helper Programs, Aaron M. Cretin

Graduate Research Papers

Peer helper programs have increasingly been implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools, and must be developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Peers can serve as tutors, mentors, mediators, and support systems, and schools utilize peer helper programs in order to assist other students in these areas. Effective peer helper programs share common characteristics.

The purpose of this paper is to examine characteristics of effective peer helper programs. These programs incorporate peer helper roles, training considerations, developmental considerations, characteristics of peer helpers, screening and selection procedures, program service and delivery, supervision and evaluation needs, and school/community needs.

Cognitive, Emotive, And Behavioral Techniques For Depressed Children And Adolescents, Brianna G. Wilcox

Graduate Research Papers

Cognitive, emotive, and behavioral techniques for treating depression in children and adolescents are outlined. The importance of prevention and early intervention is stressed, with an emphasis on application to the school setting. Cognitive contributors to depression, disputation strategies, and behavioral interventions are explicated within the framework of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT). The efficacy of REBT is cited in reference to numerous research studies.

An Exploration Of Academic Advising Care Groups At An Iowa Private College, Kendra Williams-Perez

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Care Group advising, as it was institutionally developed, is an academic advising method intended to improve the first year experience of undergraduate college students. The purpose of this study was to explore student perceptions of their participation in Care Group advising, as well as faculty and administrative perceptions. The overarching research question was: "How are academic advising Care Groups perceived by students, faculty, and administrators?" From the perspectives of students, faculty, and administrators, the following sub-questions served to guide this study:

1. Are academic advising Care Groups serving their intended purpose?
2. What are the perceived benefits of academic advising Care Groups, …

Personality Type And Student Affairs Graduate Students, Meinholz J. Meinholz

Graduate Research Papers

The use of personality type information about student affairs graduate students is , interesting to speculate about. A graduate program could identify what populations of students it is attracting for enrollment. Such information could allow them to adjust their recruitment techniques in order to attract a more diverse student body. Understanding the personality types of students in the classroom would provide insight into the most effective instruction techniques. Personality type information could also be helpful for advisors to use in assisting students with selecting electives and practicum or internship experiences that complement their type. Graduate students could learn more about …

School Counseling And Confidentiality, Amy R. Usher

Graduate Research Papers

School counselors are continually challenged with legal and ethical issues. According to Remley (2002), school counselors seem to face more legal and ethical issues than counselors who practice in other settings. Numerous situations or topics can be placed under the term legal issue or ethical issue, however, this author has chosen to concentrate on the legal and ethical issue of confidentiality in counseling. There seems to be much confusion among school counselors dealing with confidentiality issues. According to Mitchell, Disque, and Robertson (2002) "Research indicates that counselors struggle when faced with issues surrounding confidentiality rights of minors and rights of …

Considerations In Counseling International Students, Michael L. Williams

Graduate Research Papers

Much has been written about the culture shock that international students experience while studying at a United States college or university. Sometimes adjustments to new living conditions, language, food and culture have exacerbated latent emotional issues in some international students or contributed to the development of emotional disturbances in others. While living in their home countries, many students from other cultures rely on sources such as older family members or spiritual, religious, or medical experts to discuss emotional conflicts. This population often views counseling as performing two primary services: one, to meet education or career goals; or, two, to deal …

Online Technological Delivery Systems In Academic Advising, Nicole Muhs

Graduate Research Papers

Advancements in technology are impacting every sector in our nation, and institutions of higher education are no exception. Academic advising is one division of student affairs at colleges and universities that has benefited from past technological advancements. Making advising processes more efficient and effective has helped advisors focus on a developmental approach when working with students, which is a method endorsed by many professionals within the field.

Online and web-based services are another area of advancement, which some advising offices are currently implementing to further assist them in their objectives. The range of these services is vast and the ways …

Counseling Gifted And Talented Students, Karen S. Robertson

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is subdivided into three sections. The first section provides a series of definitions of giftedness, level of cognition and frustration, and criteria of gifted students. Whereas the second section includes literature reviews covering counseling the gifted student, commencing with developmental issues and concluding with issues related to learning disabled gifted and talented students. The final section of this paper is divided into an overview of concepts, recommendations, and future expectations for the counselor working with gifted and talented students.

Counseling Students With Limited English Proficiency, Michiru Shiraishi

Graduate Research Papers

As the United States experiences ever-increasing cultural diversity, school and mental health counselors are struggling to find an effective counseling style for these clients. This study focuses on students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP). It addresses possible issues that LEP students will face, the things the counselors need to be aware of when counseling LEP students, the way to work with LEP students' parent(s), using various assessments to understand students, teaming with the English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor, using interpreters, and applying the community counseling model as a guideline to counsel LEP students.

Incorporating Classroom Guidance Into A Comprehensive High School Guidance Program, Winifred L. Dewey

Graduate Research Papers

A comprehensive high school guidance program which includes developmental . and preventative classroom guidance lessons provides the opportunity for students to develop necessary academic, personal/social and career skills that will enable them to be positive and contributing members of society. Counselors today are spending a disproportionate amount of the day responding to students and others with complex issues and high-risk behaviors. Although classroom guidance is a recommended part of most counseling program models, the majority of high school guidance programs do not include classroom guidance opportunities. This paper reports the need for system changes which incorporate classroom guidance and provides …

Coping With Divorce, Amanda Sue Lawless Anderson

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper targets children who are experiencing divorce in their families. The purpose of this paper is to assist counselors in knowing how divorce affects children and how to work effectively with children and families experiencing divorce. A look at the various developmental stages, the grief process of divorce, practical interventions to be used with children experiencing divorce, and providing resources for educators and parents will assist counselors and parents in helping children to cope with their experience.