Abstract

CESPEDES GAMBOA, Yesennia et al. Characteristics that School counselors have in order to promote student engagement. Rev. Actual. Investig. Educ [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.3, pp.552-575. ISSN 1409-4703.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/aie.v21i3.46222.

This article is derived from the Graduation Final Project to opt for the degree of Licenciatura in Educational Sciences with an emphasis in Counseling from Universidad de Costa Rica, which was performed since August 2018 and finished in July 2020. Based on the contributions of participants, this study aims to recognize their role in the promotion of student engagement in the educational process. Previous studies that specify the characteristics of school counselors for the promotion of student engagement were not found, hence the importance of recognizing this information. The methodology corresponds to a qualitative approach and a phenomenological method; semi-structured interviews are conducted with practicing counseling professionals and focus groups are applied with high school students. It was found that the characteristics of openness, empathy, authenticity, and proactivity enrich their belief in treating students with dignity, which at the same time favors engagement. Also, the implementation of these characteristics leads to counselors’ professional satisfaction. Finally, it is concluded that the aforementioned characteristics allow to consider students’ individual differences and promote a self-led role for their engagement in the educational process; in the same way, it is concluded that the implementation of these characteristics generates well-being and work satisfaction to the professional person.

Keywords : learning; education; student; teaching; counselling.

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