Exploring Effective Practitioner Advocacy: A Study of ASCA’s School Counselor of the Year Finalists

Abstract

Effective school counseling programs require school counselors to serve as advocates for all students. However, there is limited research that explores the lived experiences of school counselors as advocates. This phenomenological study captured the perspectives of 14 ASCA School Counselor of the Year (SCOY) finalists. The data revealed five themes, including: understanding advocacy as an ongoing process, stand up and be the expert—professional advocacy, building a principal-counselor partnership, constructing equitable individual and systemic change, and investing and giving back.