School Counsellors are trained professionals who understand child development, often with Masters degrees in Counselling or more, who partake in ongoing professional development and extensive mental health training . They know school culture and how the education system works, making them readily able to help youth in an effective manner.
Often the first place students present any concerns are in schools because that is where they spend so much time. The educators get to know students well building trusting relationships. School Counsellors have the whole child in mind with access to a comprehensive background regarding the students history in school, so are often able to make decisions collaboratively in the best interest of students.
If you are a new teacher and have never accessed your School Counsellor , please do so. They are there to help you help the student. When all work together to help our youth it is more likely to make a difference in the life of a child. Now more than ever we must do all we can together to help.
In October I will be talking on a new challenge with my friend and partner Helen MacKinnon. We will be working with a group of young people and their leaders offering workshops, counselling and much more.
We will be creating many things with a purpose and I so look forward to the opportunity.
When I am in Nova Scotia, I get to live a slower pace of life and this year it’s even slower. Because of covid we have had less visitors and tend to not go to many places. I can’t say I mind.. Life at a slower pace is good at least for the time being. Especially when I spend it here.
Most days on my walk I travel the same path. Even though I am going the same way I always look for something different and if I keep my eyes wide open I find them. This was out on my deck today and it almost doesn’t look real. It’s so cute, a little caterpillar that turns into a beautiful eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly.
It doesn’t take much these days to entertain me. It’s a slow pace of life where I am and I know I’ll be back to the city soon enough. For today I will take pleasure in the small things you might want to look for them too.
Templates are a great visual for creating back to school Comprehensive School Counselling Plans or doing amazing presentations for students. Slidesmania offers over 200 slides and powerpoints to choose from. Pick ones that work best for you. If you’d like more free templates that you can use click here.
Here are some other ways you can use the slides in your program:
Weekly planner for lessons.
Monthly planner. There are many great digital planners to choose from.
To store your best resources in files.
Want to jot down some notes for resources you’d like to create, there are some cool notebooks to choose from.
You or your school may have a YouTube channel , you can use the YouTube template.
Need some quick slides to do a presentation, there are so many great choices.
I also love the potential for using the binder slide. It is fabulous.
For an artistic presentation look no further. You can find a hopscotch and comic template.
For your classic teacher chalkboard you can find that too.
Most importantly have fun and create while using something that is useful for your program this year. In case you need more tips, click on the how to link at the top of the website. Slidesmania can make your back to school a little more creative and save you some precious time as well.
Have some creative templates that you have designed? Please feel free to share.
If you are an educator or a School Counsellor I know you love resources so I collated a few for you to use as you start the school year. Save these on your desktop as you will want to go back to them often.
School Counsellor resources were created because of a fabulous Math resource I saw on Twitter created by @beatris_mata which you can find here.
When we share we are better. If you remix mine and make it better which I know you will please share back with me @sspellmancann. Who doesn’t like resources?
School Counsellors -> Students -> Families ->Staff
We all need a little empathy at this moment in time. School Counsellors are a key player in providing these chats with students , families and the staff in their schools. Harvard offers some great tips on how to build empathy in your schools
Administrators->School Counsellors
I had a very wise administrator who once said to me that my job was to look after the students his job was to look after me. We all need support at this time. It is a give and take. All of us need a supportive person in our corner.
Let’s be intentional in supporting one another.
We can all :
Be positive in our interactions
Help others feel understood
Make people feel heard. You can use these creative approaches.
Even though I sometimes say I don’t, I know I do take life for granted. Living through a pandemic makes you examine and reflect on your life. I know there are too many things that I have taken for granted. What about you?
Taking living life without a pandemic in it for granted. Now, listening to the sickness and deaths and tragedies of so many around the world and feeling powerless to stop it, but doing your part as best you can.
Not being able to see your best friend F2F.
The joys of inviting whoever you want for dinner.
Spending time with family and friends and not worrying how close you are to them or of they will get sick.
Walking around freely, not carrying the worries of the world on your shoulders.
Going to work, loving what you do without thinking that what you do could lead to someone being sick or worse.
Thinking your children have finally made it in the world, only now you worry about their security and what their future and the future of your potential grandchildren will look like.
Living life the best you know how, realizing you have reached retirement, but never imagining how the world would turn out in your lifetime.
The joys of having a girls weekend or a shopping trip or other small pleasure that you like doing..
The simple pleasures of going to a farmers market.
The small mundane things that are no longer mundane.
Life as you used to know it and so many other things that you still take for granted.
While these and many more things can be difficult , I choose to embrace every day and remember I can live life in the best way possible given some of the things I took or take for granted. I will seek out ways to enjoy what is, as it is for today.
In this world we encounter a few people who change how we feel about life. Around 30 years ago you entered my life. I was not looking for a new friend, but oh how the loss would have been mine if I did not open my heart to new friendships. A lesson that has sustained me to this day.
Today is your birthday and I want to celebrate you and all that you are.
Funand spontaneous Remember the time we were Thelma and Louise (without the driving off the cliff part) ? We bought new hats, scarves and dresses took off in your moms convertible and laughed and created memories to our hearts delight.
Intelligent Remember the times we have chatted about life’s problems and concerns and while often we agree, sometimes we don’t and those can be great conversations with you.
Generous I have watched you be generous to others in so many ways you never get acknowledged for. You have given me so many beautiful and thoughtful gifts over the years. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
Accomplished I have loved celebrating and watching you do what you do best.
Courageous You have encountered many challenges in your life and have overcome them with grace and determination.
Champion You are a champion for so many and especially care about those with severe challenges.
Dependable I can count on you to be there anytime I need a friend.
Sensational The many times we spent together with our children laughing and doing silly things. Oh what fun. You are an outstanding auntie to my kids. They love you.
Effervescent I love spending time with you. It is never dull. Our trips together together to Vegas, Palm Springs and Mexico or wherever we are in the world are always full of joy. Even when we just vegetate together it is fun.
Beautiful heart and mind. You are beautiful inside and out.
You are optimistic, unwavering, determined, vibrant, accepting, kind and so much more. I cannot imagine my life without you in it. We have created so many memories that make me smile every time I think of them. We have laughed (too many times to count) and cried together. We have weathered many storms, trials and tribulations and come out on the other side knowing that we are and will always be here for each other.
I appreciate all that you are and all that you do. I value YOU. You enrich my life and make it better because you are in it. I love you my friend and look forward to all that life brings us as we journey through it.
Counsellor Talk : Connecting with those who want to make a difference. 