About Us

The Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA) is a private, non-profit association comprised of school counselors, counseling directors, supervisors, administrators, counselor educators, and other individuals involved in related activities who have an impact on a student's success and well-being at school, work home. Founded in 1949, GSCA has grown to a membership of more than 1,000 members. GSCA has been instrumental in setting professional standards for the school counseling profession in Georgia.

GSCA assists counselors in delivering more effective services by providing the means and information to enhance their skills, by supporting self-evaluation, and by conducting research to measure counselor effectiveness. Professional development programs and activities help maintain high standards and encourage quality performance. GSCA speaks for school counselors at the state and national levels through strong public relations and government relations programs and activities. GSCA members work in all educational settings from elementary through postsecondary education.

Membership is open to those engaged in school counseling or related activities. GSCA publishes on-demand webinars and content year-round, a digital magazine titled the Beacon, and a bi-monthly eNewsletter titled The Counselor Connection. GSCA and its members are committed to the continuing development of the school counseling profession.

GSCA Bylaws         GSCA ORGANIZATIONAL HANDBOOK

MISSION

The Georgia School Counselor Association supports school counselors in Georgia as they promote student success.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

As members of GSCA, we believe:

  • all students, grades K – 12, deserve access to school counseling services
  • the nature and substance of school counseling programs should be , developmental, and continuous
  • on-going enhancement of school counseling skills and knowledge to benefit children is essential.
  • all people have value and deserve respect and dignity
  • counseling services provided to students and schools should be with appropriate accountability components.
  • all students should be taught skills that lead to developing competencies in the three areas of academic, career, and social.

sHARED VALUES

Integrity, Stewardship/Accountability, Collaboration, Dedication, Transparency, and Professionalism

VIVID DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FUTURE

  • As GSCA implements its strategic plan and achieves its big audacious goal, it will create a future in which school counselors are funded appropriately, and Georgia’s ratio level is at or below the national recommendation. This will result in respect for the profession, and the news media will see GSCA members as the leading experts in the profession. School counselors will be asked by school administrators to be engaged in strategic conversations related to all student issues, and they will value their perspective. Furthermore, school leadership will value counselors in such a way that they are no longer asked to perform non-counseling duties as part of their job, which will result in increased time spent with students.
  • As an organization, GSCA will be recognized as a national leader, and the association’s professional development programs will set the industry standard. This will translate into growth in membership and increased value for members and for the profession as a whole.
  • GSCA will continue to foster a culture of leadership development.
  • Students will be positively affected. All Georgia schools will have a comprehensive school counseling program. This will support an increase in graduation rates and a decrease in drop-out rates. Standardized test scores will increase above the national standard. Georgia students will achieve higher post-secondary entrance and completion rates.
  • Students and their families will have increased support and accessibility for mental health services.