Foster a safe space geared toward amplifying the voice of school counselors,
Provide learning opportunities to elevate professional practice,
Build our capacity for consistent networking across all levels, and
Honor the efforts, achievements, and milestones of distinguished school counselors through ongoing recognition practices.
Association History
This Association was established in the 1980's as the Howard County Association for Counseling and Development (HCACD). It exclusively served school counselors in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) at various capacities over the years. The primary efforts of HCACD included professional recognition (School Counselor of the Year), College and Career Fairs, and social networking events. After five years of inactivity, HCACD was revived in June 2020. An interm board was formed and the name was changed to the Professional School Counselors of Howard County (PSCHC) to better align with current school counseling guidelines, standards, and associations (ASCA & MSCA). Additionally, the association was structured to form a more inclusive group open to private school counselors throughout Howard County, as well. Processes and structures of PSCHC were updated to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion continued to be interwoven into all association discussions, efforts, and events!
Intentional Branding & Design
Colors: We incorporate the colors of our Maryland state flag (black, gold, red, and white), as well as the colors of the HCPSS logo (light and dark blue) into our Association branding. It is our goal reflect inclusivity in our colors since our Association is aimed at not only serving school counselors within HCPSS, but also school counselors serving in the private sectors of Howard County, Maryland, as well.
Arrows: Arrows are used to depict the evolving mission of our newly revived association- empower, uplift, and advance all school counselors in Howard County.
Historical Connections & Symbolism: Additionally, our arrows also reflect the power of the collective. The Great Law of Peace was an oral constitution used by the ancient people that inhabited the land now known as New York. The Haudenosaunee people, initially made up of five separate nations (Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, and Mohawk), decided to join forces and come together to solve problems and display "good mindedness". Initially, four of the five main nations agreed to these ideals, while one remained hesitant. In an attempt to convert an opposing war chief, the group utilized a symbolic exercise. They provided the resistant leader with one single arrow and invited him to break it in half, which he did with ease. They then handed the war chief a collection of five bundled arrows and instructed him to repeat the exercise- break them. When he was unsuccessful, they stated their exemplified case. "Alone, you are weak. Come together as one and no one on earth can break your united power." The power of the collective provided a strong rationale for these nations to band together into what the English referred to as The Five Nations (Note: Also known as the Iroquois tribe by the French).
While there are many different versions that have been written about the Great Law, the three main principles were known to be "peace, justice, and good mindedness". Having sparked much intrigue by early colonists, it isn't surprising that Our Declaration of Independence rings similarly with "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". In fact, there are other foundational American documents that reflect inspirations of the Great Law of Peace... as well as many diversions (Rad American History A-Z, Schatz, K., p.41-45).