 Welcome to the School Counseling page! I am Courtney Walter, the 7-12 School Counselor in the Audubon MS-HS building. I grew up thinking the Wheelers had a funny mascot, and now I'm proud to be one! I grew up on a farm north of Ogden, IA. I made my first move south to Indianola to attend Simpson College after high school. After living and working at a church camp during my college summers, I met my husband and made another move south to an acreage in Garden Grove, IA. While completing my Master's degree at Drake University, I worked with students and adults with intellectual disabilities to develop job skills and gain competitive employment. I graduated from Drake with a Master's in School and Rehabilitation Counseling in December 2012.Jason and I moved back north to Audubon county in 2012. He is better known as Mr. Walter - the Industrial Tech teacher at AHS. We have three sons and two daughters and LOVE spending time with them. I also enjoy walking, swimming, playing the piano, reading, baking, and watching Hawkeye football. I would love to get to know you and your family. The Audubon School Counseling program is a comprehensive program designed to meet the academic, career and social-emotional needs of all students. I look forward to sharing resources for each of these areas with all students and families! When I find the time, I also try to share tips and information on our Facebook page. Like it to learn more - Audubon School Counseling. You can find more information for families and students on the Audubon Community Schools webpage under Family Access > School Counseling Information. Mrs. Walter 712.563.2607 Audubon Community School District’s Mission Our MISSION is to provide a quality education in a positive, equitable, and respectful environment that encourages and prepares all students to become lifelong learners and responsible members of a rapidly changing society. Educate. Motivate. Inspire. ACSD K-12 Counseling Program Mission The MISSION of the Audubon Community School District Counseling Program is to support all students through a comprehensive and developmental curriculum; addressing the career, academic, and personal/social domains. Furthermore, the counseling program will provide equal opportunity for all students to become effective life long learners. ACSD K-12 Counseling Program Vision The students at Audubon High School graduate college and career ready and prepared for and planned for the challenges of post-secondary life. A rigorous curriculum and strong interpersonal communication skills prepare students personally, socially, and academically. Our students are developed and engaged as successful, life-long learners, and productive citizens who are leaders in our school and community. The ACSD School Counseling program further provides support to the district’s students, families, staff, administration and community. ACSD K-12 Counseling Program Beliefs - All students have dignity, worth, and a capacity to learn and have the right to be served by a comprehensive school counseling program that addresses each student’s academic, career, and personal/social developmental needs. - All students should have the opportunity to achieve according to their level of ability or beyond and can meet high standards that will result in college and career success. - School counselors advocate for and collaborate on behalf of all students to ensure equitable access to rigorous curriculum and programming for self-directed personal growth. All students receive services regardless of their ethnicity, cultural background, racial background, sexual orientation, or ability. - A licensed professional school counselor is best equipped to plan, manage, deliver, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program in collaboration with students, parents, school staff, and community. - To promote student achievement, the school-counseling program must be guided and driven by data. Data should be analyzed and utilized for program planning and goal-setting to develop a comprehensive school counseling program. - Applying the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors empowers school counselors to make decisions based on the highest moral principles to promote the maximum development of every student. Services: The goal of the Audubon Middle & High School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive developmental counseling program for all students. This would include direct consultation with teachers, staff and parents to enhance their effectiveness in helping students. The means by which it will be implemented will include, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Direct counseling support with students through responsive services in coordination with other school community educational programs. 2. Support counseling in response to requested needs through personal or parental request, AEA staff, or other relevant professionals. 3. Career and classroom guidance as it pertains to the student's individual needs and goals. All of the above may utilize a combination of individual, small and large group activities to better enable the student to achieve his/her desired goal. Confidentiality: When utilizing guidance and counseling services, there are strict guidelines concerning confidentiality. The only individuals who will have access to information shared by a student, will be those individuals specifically granted permission from the student themselves. Professional counselors are bound by the Code of Ethics of the American Counseling Association. The following are the only exceptions under which individuals, other than those specifically granted permission, would have access to any pertinent information: 1. Safety: In situations where there is danger to the student or others, the appropriate measures must be taken to prevent the possibility of injury. This may include disclosure of specific information that would be relevant to the situation. 2. Consultation: In situations where input is needed from other qualified professionals, specific and relevant information may be disclosed to such. At all times, great care will be taken to insure each student's confidentiality. |