School Counselor Role

B.F. Day School Counselor John Taylor

I am John Taylor and I am your school counselor! This will be my 9th year at B.F. Day and I describe the school counselor role as someone uniquely positioned to support three different subgroups of stakeholders: students, parents, and teachers. I am often the glue that holds all three together, all in hopes of supporting students and families through their elementary years at BF Day.  B.F. Day Elementary believes that social-emotional learning skills are at the heart of academic growth, thriving relationships, and intentional decision-making. This focus can be seen in the generous support of the BF Day community. The community contributes the resources needed to make the school counselor profession a full-time one. The services that I provide can be separated into both direct and indirect services.

Direct Student Services

• Short-term, solution-focused small group/one-on-one counseling for several topics: Anxiety, Self-Control, Social Skills, Perseverance, Trauma, New Students, Divorce,  Grief/Loss, Emotional Regulation, Study/Academic Skills.
• Support Students in Immediate Crisis: Repair Harm Between Students, Self-Harm ideations, Homelessness, and overall Student Safety.
• Psychoeducational Classroom Visits: Supplement the weekly SEL lessons by teachers with timely and relevant topics that staff have noticed are needed for increasing student skill sets. For example, if we notice that a particular grade level is reporting unsafe behavior during recess, I will partner with teachers to deliver lessons that are focused on personal space bubbles, behavior expectations, and how to show self-control during recess activities.
• Student Leadership: Co-lead student council and 4th and 5th grade school leadership program.

*Each year I will present approximately 80-90 additional lessons to classrooms.

Mr. Taylor does NOT implement discipline or decide what level is discipline is implemented.

Indirect Student/Family Services

• Develop and support teacher-led, school-wide SEL programs;  Design scope and sequence for weekly Second Step Lessons in classrooms, provide professional development to staff on curriculums (Zones of Regulation/Second Step),  Strive to strengthen school-wide systems for responses to behavior.
• Consultation and Collaboration with Stakeholders; Meet with staff and families to develop individual behavior/academic support plans, connect families with outside resources for mental health and additional services,  consult with students’ outside therapists, doctors, and psychologists, and  Lead our school-based “Care Team” that meets weekly to discuss specific student needs.
• Family Support Program; Partner with Ballard Food Bank to provide weekly food bags to approx. 20 families, Partner with Charlie Produce and Ballard Elks Club to provide Thanksgiving meals to families,  utilize district resources like Operation School Bell and the Right Now Needs Fund to provide much-needed resources and make home visits to families who are in need or are in crisis.

Accolades

In the 2023-2024 school year, the school counseling program at B.F. Day earned the distinct honor of being a Recognized American School Counselor Model Program (RAMP). Becoming the first school counseling program to ever receive this distinction in Seattle public schools, and third in the entire state of Washington.

Nominated by district leadership and peers for the School Counselor of the Year in 2023-2024.

Interested in connecting with Mr. Taylor?  please reach out via phone/email to schedule an appointment.

Contact:
John Taylor
206 252-6018
Jrtaylor@seattleschools.org