ABOUT MR. KOZIOL AND THE TWIN RIVER GUIDANCE PROGRAM

My name is Dan Koziol, first year Guidance Counselor at Twin River Public Schools. After graduating from Genoa High School, I received my college education through Wayne State College. I have been substitute teaching and coaching at Twin River Public Schools since 2006, so i'm very familiar with the school system.

How you touch young peoples lives in counseling is what I find most enjoyable about my position. I believe that every individual in our school system matters and every student has the potential for growth and development.

My philosophy of school counseling is that the primary function of school counselors is to work directly with students, involving the family (especially parents), the school (students and staff/administration/board) and the community.

The primary areas of school counseling activities, programs and services are: educational development, career planning and exploration, self knowledge and the skills to interact positively with others.

Under educational or academic development students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span. Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college. Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community.

Under career development students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. Students will employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction. Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training, and the world of work.

Under person/social development students will acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others. Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals. Students will understand safety and survival skills.

The goals of school counseling programs are to, help all students understand the importance of effective career decision making and planning, assist all students in developing an on-going educational plan, and improve student achievement at all levels by integrating school counseling information into other relevant curricular areas.

School counseling programs should include, age-appropriate curriculum, matching activities to the needs of elementary, middle, and high school students and their families, individual planning with students and parents, supporting them with academic and career information, responsive services for crisis situations, assisting students and families, and teachers and/or referring them for further help, if necessary, support for teachers, administrators, parents and community with regard to school counseling issues by providing consultation, information, and/or referral.