Competencies
a) roles and responsibilities related to educating counselors
b) andragogy and adult learning theories
c) teaching methods relevant to counselor education
d) curriculum design and instructional delivery
e) the use of technology in instructional design and program delivery types
f) integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice principles and practices in the counselor education curriculum
g) universal design to meet the needs of all students with respect for individual differences in learning
h) instructional and curricular evaluation methods
i) screening, remediation, and gatekeeping functions relevant to teaching
j) assessment of student learning and professional dispositions
k) legal and ethical issues and responsibilities in counselor education for all program delivery types
l) culturally sustaining strategies for counselor education
m) the role of mentoring in counselor education
Group Co-Leadership Self-Evaluation Paper
Meets Criteria A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, L
Group Co-Leadership Paper
During COUC 710, this assignment provided an opportunity to co-lead a group, receive feedback, and reflect on my performance and growth.
Advanced Career- Group Presentation
Meets Criteria B, C, D, E, F, G, H, L
Advanced Career Group Presentation
This assignment in COUC 850 allowed me to collaborate with a group of my peers to research and present on a counseling career theory including the tenets of the theory and how it can serve the needs of populations that are historically disenfranchised.
Benchmark Post-Intensive Lesson Plan and Teaching Demonstration
Meets Criteria A, B, C, D, E, G, H,
Teaching Demonstration and Lesson Plan
This assignment in COUC 747 is a demonstration of a post intensive lesson plan and a teaching demonstration that outlines a four week syllabus and subsequent lecture topics.
Leadership and Advocacy Discussion Post
Meets Criteria A, B, C, E, H, M
Advanced Career Discussion Mentoring Discussion Post
This discussion post from COUC 850 highlights the importance of mentorship and advocacy in our teaching and leadership approaches.
Philosophy of Teaching
Meets Criteria A,B, D, I,
Philosophy of Teaching
During COUC 747, I reflected on my counselor identity and how it was involving as a counselor educator. This paper discusses the growth process and how it reflects on my teaching skills.
Interview with a Counselor Educator
Meets Criteria A, B, E, F, H, I
Interview with a Counselor Educator
During COUC 747, I had the honor of interviewing a counselor educator and gleaning from their teaching and leadership experience, while also including my personal reflections and takeaways from the interview experience.
Creative and Expressive Arts in Individual and Group Counseling- Creative Synthesis
Meets Criteria B, C, D, E, G, H, L
Creative Synthesis Presentation
COUC792 allowed me to explore creative interventions to utilize during client sessions. I appreciate a wellness-based approach to counseling, so I shared “Drawing the Breath” with my class.
Pre-Intensive Teaching Competencies
Meets Criteria A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M
In preparation for our intensive week of instruction of COUC 747, I read Haddock & Whitman text and the Cavasos text and prepared a synthesized summary of the readings.
Teaching Experience
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practicum
14-week online course (Summer 2024)
Reflection
1. Reflect on the process of developing leadership level knowledge, skills, and practices in this competency. What has been especially impactful/meaningful/important to you personally and professionally?
Teaching has been part of my life since I was in college when I began my journey as a fitness instructor with my mixed tape and a water bottle in my freshman dorm. I have always found purpose in connecting with other people and look for innovative way to walk in this calling. I homeschooled all three of my children through high school, and believe these experiences have been amazing preparation for my journey in counselor education. Learning teaching skills and approaches from the various faculty members has been especially impactful for me while I have been developing my own teaching style.
2. Describe an area of strength that you have developed while in the program in this area of competency. What is one way you plan to utilize this strength in your vocation?
Communication is my top strength and I think this serves me well in teaching because I can communicate in a variety of ways to help engage with my students. My courses in counselor education have enhanced this strength and I plan to continue learning and growing as I embark on my teaching career.
3. Describe an area of challenge/growth opportunity in this area of competency. What is your plan to develop excellence in this area?
One growth opportunity I have encountered is patience in learning new teaching skills. I am naturally curious, and I also strive to learn quickly; I recognize that the nuances of teaching will be ever-growing as I continue to pursue innovative ways to engage my students.
4. Reflect on how faith in Christ relates to this competency.
The Lord has ordered every step of my counseling journey. My heart is to be teachable, as Jesus tells us in the gospel of Mark that if I have a teachable heart, I will receive more understanding.
Suzy Vaile, MA, LCMHC, LCAS 
