Month: October 2020

Gratitude

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As we enter this thanksgiving weekend , I long for the big dinners I have celebrated with my longtime friends and kids for over thirty years.

However, I am grateful for what I do have my health, my life, the best friends ever and two amazing healthy adult children. My husband who continues to be such a good human being makes this pandemic easier for all those around him. My mom who lives far away, but still has a positive attitude given all her health concerns. A 91 year old mother in law who is healthy and full of vitality and positivity.

I am grateful for two brothers who have sacrificed so much for my mom. I am grateful I can help when I am needed in my community. This pandemic has hurt so many and if I can reach out and help, I am more than happy to do so. I am grateful to have a purpose and so much more.

So from my heart to yours, I wish you the best thanksgiving possible.

You Put The Heart In School Counselling

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As you begin this year you may have a School Counsellor you wish to acknowledge. please feel free to edit and use as you like.

You put the heart in School Counselling

It’s the students who matter to you

Thanks for being at ___________ this year

And doing what you do

School Counselling for you is a joy not a job

A gift, not an obligation

A place where you can be brave, not cowardly

A place you have found, not somewhere you can get lost

An open space, not a closed door

Somewhere to stand tall, not sit and waste time

A place to create hope, while listening to despair

Where you focus on encouraging, not discouraging

A place to build up, not tear down

A space to be present to those in need

School Counselling for you is a home away from home

Thanks for having the courage to tackle the hard stuff

Thanks for having the strength to help those students and families in need

Thanks for your dedication and commitment to our students and school community

For being thoughtful, kind, patient and caring

For helping in so many ways

For cheering up a students most distressing days

Thank you for all you have shared

Thank you for all you have given

For all that you are and all that you will be

You put the heart in School Counselling

It’s the students who matter to you

You make a difference

So continue to keep doing what you do

Susan Spellman Cann

Always Do What Is In The Best Interest of The Child

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It should be as simple as that when making decisions in schools. Maybe we need to ask that question more often.

Lesson 6 for A New School Counsellor

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Engaging Students

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There are many ways to engage students whether it is one to one or in groups. It is one of the best way to form a therapeutic alliance. At the beginning of every session I often ask students the following question. How can I be most helpful to you today? At the end of every session I check in with the student to see how the session went. I will often ask something like how are you feeling about what we talked about and did in session today? What is the one thing you will use as a result of our time together? This allows me to gage if I have been helpful and if there is something I said that the student connected with.

Utilize humour, creativity and whatever tools you have in your toolbox Technology can be an asset , so use what works for you. I often have students paint while we chat especially the younger students (I always ask first if they’d like to and many do). Koi paint sets are easy to use and don’t take up too much space.

Make sure your space is inviting and warm. Students enjoy coming to a space that is comforting. Ask them for ideas that will make your space a place where they will love to come to.

Get to know the student. Find their strengths and focus on what will work for them.

Finding ways to engage students is a process and throughout your years as a School Counsellor you will find many more ways to engage them. Ask more experienced counsellors what they do engage the most difficult to engage students.

It’s often more about how the student feels when they are with you. Make them feel valued and important like everything they say matters , which it does. Let them know how amazing they are.

Be present. Don’t answer your phone if it rings unless it is an emergency. There are so many ways to engage students, but most importantly be you . You entered this profession for many reasons and one of the biggest will be because you wanted to help. Be engaging and the helping will happen.

Do The Right Thing

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We all are trying our best to do the right thing. This post was supposed to go out yesterday, but I am still adjusting to the time change from travel and fell asleep. I have committed to writing a little something everyday so two posts will go out today.

I hope today you have an amazing day and do the right thing.

People Not Programs Change Children

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

We all know that relationships matter, but sometimes we still need reminders. We keep searching for the perfect programs to help kids. In my opinion , time would be better spent being the person who makes a difference in a child’s life and helping increase the quality and number of people who can make a positive impact.

There are so many children who need our help for a multitude of reasons. Find ways to support, nurture, interact, listen to, respect, give hope to, and connect kids with people and resources that can help them.

Be that adult who attends to the emotional health of the children as well as your own. Model your humanity and compassion daily. Provide a safe haven where you and those you work with enjoy going to school each day, no matter the stresses of the world. Be present each day to the best of your ability and forgive yourself and others if things don’t go as planned. It’s more than OK to not feel at your best each day considering the circumstances, just do the best you can for the kids and reach out for support if and when you need it.

It is especially challenging being an educator right now like no other time I have experienced in my past forty years in education. I know what you do matters and I want to thank you for all that you do. Click here for a little gift. I hope in some small way this brightens your day.

People not programs change children. You have an abnormally large heart , I am sure that’s why you became an educator in the first place, so continue to be one of those people who makes a difference in the life of a child while taking good care of yourself.

A Gift For Teachers

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Teachers deserve so much more than this for all they do day in and day out. This is my little treat for them as we enter World Teachers’ Day on Monday. It’s my small way to say thanks for who you are and what you do. Click here for a little gift.

Shedding A Little Tear As I Say Farewell

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This year I feel very sad to leave this safe haven and return to the big city , but I’m also excited to see my children and friends. Farewell Nova Scotia I look forward to my return next year hoping life looks a little brighter for all of us at that time.