5 Ways To Introduce Yourself and Your Role

Last year I switched schools and I am anticipating another change this year. I’m also split between schools, which means I have to introduce myself to a lot of new faces. There are many ways to introduce yourself and your role, but here are a few ways I have found that are time savers and effective.

1. Read a book

I love to read a book that leads to a discussion about what the school counselor does. Sometimes, like with my K-1 students, I need to be explicit so we read a story like “Mrs. Joyce Gives The Best High Fives.” In my older grades, they know me and my job, so I choose a story that links with my other objectives- so perhaps a book on teamwork, tolerance, acceptance, or behavior expectations.

Looking for other beginning-of-the-year lessons? Check out my blog post about what I do instead of non-traditional counseling lessons.

2. Do a presentation

I think explaining to your staff and administration your role is crucial for many reasons. It helps you streamline your services, provide referrals efficiently, and they are often the gatekeeper between you and students/their families. If they don’t understand your role, how will families?

I’ve also used this as an opportunity to get ahead of problems from the previous year- i.e. being asked to do something that isn’t quite my job.

So I always ask for time at one of our beginning of the year staff meetings to present on what my job is and isn’t.

You can use this template on Canva to create your own version.

💡 How to Use Your Canva Template:

Click the link above — it will open the template in Canva.
When prompted, click “Use Template” (this will create your own editable version).
Now you can customize everything — change the text, colors, fonts, images, and more to match your style or brand.
Once you’re done, click “Share” to download or publish your design.

Note: If you don’t have a Canva account yet, you’ll need to create a free one — it only takes a minute!

3. Do a mini lesson when student take a class tour.

At the start of the year, my teachers take students on a “school tour.” This is so helpful as there are often changes, moves, and new students joining our community. I ask teachers to make me a stop on this tour and I let them have a bathroom break while I spend 15 minutes introducing myself and my role.

I also give them a brochure about me, where to find me, and what I can help with. This is a great way for them to refer back to what I said later and they can take it home to share with caregivers. I use this set to facilitate this activity.

4. Send out a newsletter

I use Canva to create a beginning-of-the-year newsletter I send to all my stakeholders.
I share it out in a variety of ways including a PDF and I insert JPEGs directly into my email. I also put a copy on my website, share it our via social media, and Parent Square (what our district uses to communicate with caregivers.)

Make sure to include your contact information, department mission statement, links to any surveys or assessments, and fun facts about you.

5. Make an open house night video.

I wish I could be at every open house and “meet the teacher” night, but I can’t for many logistical reasons. I also found if I had a table or booth at those nights, some parents would stop by, but my time was better spent helping direct lost families.

So instead I created a short video about myself and my role. Canva allows you to record your presentations, but I’ve also used Loom. I send this video out to my teachers and also provide them a YouTube link and ask them to play this video during their “meet the teacher” night. This ways I don’t have to be in a million different places at once.

Pawsitive School Counselor