Dilemma+-+Group+E

Group E: Daniel Casey, Mark James, Nathan Tongel, Shonna Young --20. An intern from a local university has begun his internship in a middle school under the supervision of the counselor. From the first day of the internship, and continuing for 3 weeks, the intern has been resistant to following the directions of the counselor, challenges many of the school policies and procedures, has had disagreements with two or three of the teachers regarding his counseling relationships with the teachers' students, and continues to wear clothing to school that the counselor believes is too casual for a professional. The intern appears to have good counseling skills, but in some instances has seemed to be too friendly or informal with his student clients. The counselor has had three formal meetings with the intern during the three-week period, has pointed out specific behaviors of the intern that the counselor considers inappropriate, and has insisted that the intern improve his behavior. At the end of the third week, the counselor informs the intern that she will be asking the university to find another internship site for him and will be giving him an unsatisfactory evaluation for the time he has been under her supervision.

Identify the problem: The intern is identified as being incompetent, he will not follow directions, and he has broken ethical codes. The intern has been confronted three times and has not changed his behavior. ASCA Code of Ethics: The following are ethical codes that are not being followed: A.1.b – Is concerned with the educational, academic, career, personal and social needs and encourages the maximum development of every student. A.9.a – Adheres to all professional standards regarding selecting, administering and interpreting assessment measures and only utilize assessment measures that are within the scope of practice for school counselors. C.1.b –Treats colleagues with professional respect, courtesy and fairness. The qualifications, views and findings of colleagues are represented to accurately reflect the image of competent professionals. E.1.a – Functions within the boundaries of individual professional competence and accepts responsibilities for the consequences of his actions. E.1.b – Monitors personal well-being and effectiveness and does not participate in any activity that may lead to inadequate professional services or harm to a student. F.1.a – Accepts the policies and procedures for handling ethical violations as a result of maintaining membership in the American School Counselor Association. F.1.b – Conducts him in such a manner as to advance individual ethical practice and the profession.

Potential course of actions: - Tell the intern that the university supervisor will be notified, the principal will be notified and the intern will be removed from the placement. Potential Consequences: - If the intern continues in the program, the middle school parents may become aware of the behavior and start complaints about the intern or bring charges against him. - The intern could lose their placement and ability to finish internship and potential license. - The supervisor could lose their license if not addressed and not continue to allow him to work in the setting. Course of action & Evaluate selected action: - The decision is to remove the intern from the school and ask the University to find another internship position outside of the school. The principal, the guidance coordinator and the University supervisor will be told of the removal from the school. Implement: - The intern will be removed from the school effective immediately.

American School Counselor Association (2005). //The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, Second Edition//. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Szapkiw, A.J.R. (2010). //Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling// [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from Liberty University website: [|www.liberty.edu].