The Martin Middle School Counseling Department Philosophy and Belief Statement:

The Martin Middle School Counseling Department believes that all students can learn, are valuable, and should be respected, supported, and assisted in the achievement of academic, personal/social, and future educational and career goals. Counselors believe that all students should have the right not only to participate in the school counseling program but should have access to a full-time, state-certified, master’s-degree-level school counselor to deliver that counseling program. Because counselors believe that all students have worth and dignity, all students’ ethnic, cultural, racial, and sexual differences and special needs should be considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program.

Martin counselors believe that their school counseling program should be based on specific goals and developmental student competencies for our students. Martin counselors believe in enlisting the support and resources of the larger community in the delivery of our programs. We believe that data should drive program development and that programs should be evaluated for their effectiveness.

Martin counselors will manage and evaluate programs, goals, and services through adherence to professional and ethical guidelines established by the American School Counselor Association. Martin counselors will participate in professional development activities to ensure a continuing quality school counseling program that addresses the needs of all Martin students.