Collaboration Brainstorm Worksheet

Instructions: In your group of 2–3, discuss each domain below. For each, list collaboration strategies, potential barriers, and proposed solutions. Be prepared to share one standout strategy and an action step.

Group Members:

1. Academic Support

a. Strategies for school leaders to collaborate with counselors:

b. Potential barriers:

c. Proposed solutions:

2. Social-Emotional Learning

a. Strategies for school leaders to collaborate with counselors:

b. Potential barriers:

c. Proposed solutions:

3. Career & College Readiness

a. Strategies for school leaders to collaborate with counselors:

b. Potential barriers:

c. Proposed solutions:

4. Group Priorities

Identify two priority actions your team will implement in the next month:

Inside the Counselor’s Office: Detailed Facilitator Script

Total Time: 30 minutes

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Teacher says:

“Good morning, everyone! Welcome to our session, Inside the Counselor’s Office. Today, our goal is to
articulate the core roles of school counselors across academic, social-emotional, and career domains—and identify at least two actionable strategies to strengthen our collaboration with them.

“Here’s our agenda:1) Warm-Up Round-Robin
2) Interactive Presentation of counselor roles
3) Small-group Collaboration Brainstorm
4) Group Debrief and Next Steps

“Let’s begin with a quick round-robin. Please share one key strength of counselors you’ve observed in your school. I’ll record your ideas on chart paper to set a positive tone.”

Prompt questions as participants share:

• “Can you say more about how that strength shows up in day-to-day practice?”
• “Why do you think that makes an impact on students or staff?”

Teacher: (After recording 6–8 responses)

“Thanks for those insights! It’s clear counselors bring unique expertise that drives student success.”

2. Interactive Presentation (10 minutes)

Teacher:

“Next, let’s review the three primary domains of counselor practice using our Counselor Role Overview Slides. I’ll pause after each domain for quick questions.”

Slide: “Counselor Role Overview”

“This slide shows our roadmap: academic support, social-emotional learning, and career & college readiness.”

Slide: “Session Objectives”

“By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:1) Articulate counselor domains
2) Interpret impact data
3) Describe collaboration strategies”

Slide: “Academic Support”

“Counselors identify at-risk learners using data, lead study skills workshops, and co-teach lessons on organization. Research shows a 12% average GPA increase for targeted students.”
Quick check: “Any questions about how these tiered interventions work?”

Slide: “Social-Emotional Learning”

“Counselors run individual and small-group sessions on resilience and mindfulness, respond to crises, and connect families to mental health resources. After SEL interventions, 78% of students report improved coping skills.”
Prompt: “How might you integrate counselors into your school’s crisis response team?”

Slide: “Career & College Readiness”

“From career inventories to financial aid workshops, counselors prepare students for life beyond high school. Eighty-five percent of seniors feel well-prepared when supported by their counselor.”
Question: “What additional post-secondary supports could you co-create with your counselor?”

Slide: “Impact Snapshot”

“Districtwide, counselors reached over 1,200 students in academic workshops, conducted 950 crisis interventions, and engaged 700 students in career events—correlating with higher attendance and fewer disciplinary referrals.”

Slide: “Collaboration Strategies”

“Here are four proven strategies:
• Block regular one-on-one check-ins
• Co-design schoolwide programs
• Establish shared data protocols
• Include counselors on leadership teams”

Slide: “Overcoming Barriers”

“Common challenges include limited planning time and confidentiality concerns. Solutions: calendar blocks, clear role descriptions, and secure data platforms.”

Slide: “Next Steps”

“I’ll leave these four items here as we move to our activity, but keep them in mind as you brainstorm.”

3. Collaborative Brainstorm (10 minutes)

Teacher:

“Now, let’s apply what we’ve learned. Please form groups of 2–3. I’m distributing the Collaboration Brainstorm Worksheet. In each domain—academic, social-emotional, and career—list:
a. Strategies for leader–counselor collaboration
b. Potential barriers
c. Proposed solutions

“You’ll have 8 minutes for discussion. I’ll circulate to answer questions and give you a 2-minute warning.”

(After 6 minutes)

“Two minutes remaining—wrap up your solutions and choose one standout strategy with an action step.”

(After 8 minutes)

“Time’s up! Please return to the whole-group circle with your worksheet.”

4. Group Debrief and Next Steps (5 minutes)

Teacher:

“Let’s hear from each group. Please share one standout strategy and the action step you’ll take.”

(Group 1 shares, then Group 2, etc.)

Teacher:

“Thank you. Which two of these actions should be our immediate priorities? Let’s choose and record them on chart paper.”

(Facilitate quick vote/discussion.)

Teacher:

“Great—our top two actions are:1) ***
2) ***

“As we close, commit to your role: schedule your planning meeting, block time on your calendar, and share these actions with your leadership team. I’ll email additional resources and set a follow-up check-in in two weeks.

“Thank you for your engagement. Together, we’ll strengthen counselor partnerships and support every student’s success!”

End of Script