An Exploration of the Impact of the School Counseling Equity Fellowship on School Counselors

Abstract

Diversity of all kinds has increased in the United States, yet systems of oppression and discrimination continue to persist in K–12 schools, negatively impacting student mental health and academic outcomes. School counselors are well-positioned to address oppression and discrimination, but all school counselors do not actively work to reduce bias or implement social justice initiatives. To cultivate anti-oppressive, social justice efforts among school counselors, we implemented the School Counseling Equity Fellowship (SCEF), a yearlong, cohort-based professional development program. Employing a qualitative case study approach, we used participant interviews and journal entries to explore how participation in the SCEF influenced participants’ work as school counselors. Findings indicated that participants were different after the SCEF because they cultivated a community of like-minded people, gained awareness and learning, implemented new social justice behaviors, and made plans for future initiatives. Based on these findings, we provide implications for school counselor educators and leaders.