Category: School Counsellors School Counselling

Engaging Students

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.

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.

This is how I feel when in Nova Scotia. I have had a phenomenal summer here spending time with friends and family. Because there are no present cases of Covid and so few since I arrived in July, it has given me the kind of freedom that I am super grateful for. I have followed all the regulations and not done as much as I normally would do in the summer, but oh how happy have I been. I need to bottle this feeling up and take it with me when I leave. It will be harder than ever to say farewell to Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia has no active cases of COVID-19. No new cases were identified yesterday when the labs completed 587 NS tests. pic.twitter.com/xdmNQGzScc

— Health & Wellness (@nshealth) September 21, 2020

As I prepare for tomorrow with the thought that there may be a little power failure in the next couple of days, I am preparing a couple of mini posts. I will scheduling them as I do not want to miss a day of posting no matter how small the post. I have committed to post everyday this year, so I will schedule posts for the next three days just in case. Wishing you all a little brightness in your days ahead.

There is definitely a calm before the storm here in Cape Breton as we await Hurricane Teddy although it will most likely mean high winds and little damage more of a tropical storm, not a hurricane. I remember Hurricane Dorion last year and i have never heard such eerie sounds as the winds blew over our cottage. We certainly lost power ,a little restless night but no damage. It sure made me empathetic to those that have been through a damaging hurricane and the worry it brings as you are never really sure how it will impact you.

Mother nature is so interesting as the calm sometimes comes before the storm as it has done today. It is a reminder to me that I need to remain calm no matter what the storm brings. Worrying about what might happen won’t change what does. Being prepared as best possible is the smart thing to do.

I feel a little less concerned than I did last year as it is expected to be mostly heavy rain and intense winds this year. I do have my storm chips and as Frankie Macdonald says , Be Prepared and I am.

I don’t know about you, but I know for me one of life’s pleasures is having a cup of tea. It’s especially sweet when someone sits down to have a conversation over a cup of tea. Tea for two is definitely better with you.