1st Edition
Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students An Interactive Curriculum for Academic Growth, Career and College Readiness, and Social-Emotional Development
Part I: Understanding the Challenges of Middle School 1. Entering Middle School: A New Academic World 2. Middle School Adolescent Development 3. The Social and Emotional Needs of Middle School Students: How to Succeed in Overall Functioning in Mental and Emotional Areas Part II: Helping Middle School Students Achieve Academic Success and Explore Careers and Colleges 4. Creating an Effective Advisory System or Group Counseling Program 5. Helping Middle School Students Understand Executive Functioning 6. Developing Enhanced Study Skills for Academic Success 7. Using Technology in Middle School 8. Career Exploration in Middle School as a Motivational Technique 9. College Exploration in Middle School 10. Articulation to High School: Finding Strong Matches in an Expanding World of High School Possibilities Part III: Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Future Academic and Personal Success: The Role of Teachers, Counselors and Administrators 11. Best Lesson Plans – Models that Develop Critical Thinking Skills 12. How Standards and Testing Can Help Middle School Teachers, Counselors, and Administrators 13. The New Focus on Middle School: Why Partnerships and Grants are Important to College and Career Readiness for Middle Schoolers 14. Working with the Families of Middle School Children 15. The Move to High School: Making Transitioning to 9th Grade Successful: Second Semester 8th Grade Advisory/ Group Counseling Sessions
Biography
Kathleen Costantini, MA, has over 30 years’ experience as a teacher, administrator, and college advisor. Currently, she has a private practice working with students with various educational needs, including learning differences, organizational issues, and developmental writing skills.
Corine Fitzpatrick, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in New York State and a former school counselor and teacher. She is also an emeritus professor in the graduate counseling programs at Manhattan University in New York City.
"Costantini and Fitzpatrick offer an essential guide for educators seeking to support the whole child during the pivotal middle school years. Their interactive and research-informed approach helps schools cultivate confident learners prepared for high school, college, and career success. This book provides educators with practical tools to support the academic, social-emotional, and college and career development of middle school students. A valuable resource for schools committed to helping young adolescents discover their strengths and future possibilities."
Alex Marrero, Ed.D, superintendent, Denver Public Schools
"Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students provides educators with a practical roadmap for guiding students through arguably the most formative stage of their academic and personal development. Grounded in research and rich with strategies, the text provides counselors, teachers, and administrators with the tools to support academic growth, college and career readiness, and social-emotional development in students. With a step-by-step advisory framework, the authors offer a valuable resource for those schools seeking to help middle school students build strong habits and navigate the challenges of early adolescence."
Richard D. Tomko, PhD, MBA, M.J., Superintendent of Schools, Belleville Public Schools District, Belleville NJ
"With remarkable clarity and depth, Corine Fitzpatrick and Kathleen Costantini offer an essential roadmap for supporting the academic, social‑emotional, and future‑focused growth of middle school students. As a NYC principal, I’ve seen firsthand how Dr. Fitzpatrick’s practices strengthen school counseling teams and elevate student outcomes. Their research‑informed, practitioner‑ready approach will empower educators at every level. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone committed to nurturing the next generation of young scholars."
David Weissberg, principal of MS/HS IN-Tech Academy, NYC Public Schools
"Counseling and Advising 21stCentury Middle School Students is an essential guide for educators committed to supporting the academic, career, and social-emotional growth of young adolescents. This interactive curriculum provides practical strategies that empower students to reflect, plan and build confidence in their future pathways. Thoughtfully designed and highly engaging, it equips counselors and educators with tools to meet the diverse needs of today's middle school learners. This book is a valuable resource for fostering well-rounded, future ready students."
Rose Fairweather-Clunie, retired principal and current consultant, MS/HS, IN-Tech Academy, NYC Public Schools
"This book is a timely and invaluable resource for educators, school counselors, and administrators. The lessons, activities, and strategies are not only research-informed but also immediately applicable in real school settings. By centering student voice, engagement, and reflection, the curriculum empowers middle school students to better understand themselves, build resilience, and make informed decisions about their academic and future pathways."
Yvette Allen, retired principal, MS/HS IN-Tech Academy, NYC Public Schools
"Every middle school principal and teacher should read Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students: An Interactive Curriculum for Academic Growth, Career and College Readiness, and Social Emotional Development. Guided by strong research and practical experience, it offers a unique step-by-step approach to provide middle schoolers with the essential skills and habits they must sharpen on their journey toward college and career readiness."
Deborah D. Pitula, former elementary school principal, Archdiocese of New York
"Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students is an engaging and practical resource for educators supporting adolescents during the pivotal middle school years. Fitzpatrick and Costantini provide research-based strategies and interactive activities that foster academic growth, college and career awareness, and social-emotional development."
Dana Rose, school counselor, co-department chair, Clarkstown High School North, New City, NY
"Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students highlights and provides contextual information and tangible ways to deal with middle school counseling issues. The practical uses in which this book is presented make it very useful for counseling school personnel and other professionals as they address the needs of middle school students and their families."
Angela Arias, Ed.D., retired teacher, NYGEAR UP Project Coordinator at Yonkers Public Schools, NY, mentor, author
"Drawing on both research and practical experience, Counseling and Advising 21st Century Middle School Students presents an engaging and accessible framework for supporting students through the complex transition of the middle school years. This book offers counselors and educators valuable tools for strengthening academic habits, social-emotional development, and early career awareness."
Dr. Christine Rogutsky, program director of Graduate School Counseling
Manhattan University
"As Principal of Garfield Middle School, I am proud to see our technology-integrated classrooms featured in this important text. This book provides practical, research-based strategies that empower educators to guide middle school students in academic growth, social-emotional development, and college and career readiness. The book demonstrates how innovative strategies can empower students to take ownership of their learning while preparing them for long-term success. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone committed to shaping the future of our youth."
Richard Rigoglioso, Garfield Middle School principal, Garfield, NJ
