I am playing with how to embed this curation tool on to my WordPress site and am still learning, but I think so far this tool is a lovely tool that is quite visually appealing. Once I learn how to embed properly it will be fun to use. Check out my link here School Counsellor Resources on Elink.io
Lessons for a New School Counsellor: Lesson 1
Lesson #1 What You Say and Do Matters
You have chosen one of the best professions in the world and have the ability and educational know how to help others. This is a time like no other in our profession and you will need to be ok with uncertainty. It is important that you model calm , optimism and psychological safety for students whether you are online or off. Be prepared, be calm, be present, be a good digital citizen and be hopeful. You will find ways to engage students. That’s who you are and what you do. Trust the process and focus on what you can do today given the circumstances that will be most helpful. One of the first things I would recommend you do is join twitter and engage with other School Counsellors from around the world who are willing to help you. It will be one of the best decisions you make in your first year of being a School Counsellor. Connect with School Counsellors from across the world in #scchat or find a way to connect with other School Counsellors from your district, whatever way works best for you. If you don’t have a mentor, set up a mentorship group. It’s a great way to start your career and will continue to be one of the most helpful things you can do for yourself. Filter in the good , let go of the negative on twitter and you will find some amazing people who will become your trusted Professional Learning Network.
It is my belief that we have an awesome opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students especially during this time. What we say and do matters now more than ever. Students will forever remember how their School Counsellor interacted with them. How you connect, build relationship and assist students in feeling like they belong in a time when so many are dealing with collective trauma, collective and sometimes complex grief matters. There will be many feeling similar feelings you are feeling as you enter the profession at this time. You have chosen an amazing profession. Reach out we are here to help and support you.
Communication , connection , consultation and collaboration will be vital at this time. Communicating and connecting with your staff, with students, parents, district personnel, outside community agencies, and especially with other School Counsellors is essential. Use email, ZOOM, Google Meet ( beware of Zoom and Google meet burnout) and other creative ways to stay connected. You have an awesome role to play during this time with so many things to consider. In a Comprehensive School Counselling Program it is the responsibility of all. You are not in this alone.
Surround yourself with positive people those that lift you up especially on twitter or any other social media you engage in. Let go of the negative, stay focused on the positive. Remember what you say and do matters , so take time to take care of yourself that includes taking a break from any social media that you feel you need to at anytime.
Stay tuned for lessons 2-? …
Share this:
Today Was One Of Those Days
There will be times in this year when life gets in the way and I won’t get time to post like I’d like to . Today was one of those days. I’m sure you will have those days too. I hope not many of them.
Share this:
Time Out To Play
Playing is what we should all do more often. It gives me great pleasure to see my daughter play scrabble with her grandmother who is medically fragile in so many ways. This is a precious time as one never knows what is around the corner.
For today, I get to enjoy seeing them interact in such a positive way creating memories that we can all look back on with much pleasure. She is extremely good with both her grandmothers. Showing love and patience and helping them out as much as possible. It gives me great hope for how she will be with me one day .
So play away , play with friends, family and those that may need it most. Just take time out to play in whatever way works for you.
Share this:
Summertime and The Living Is Easy
I am so fortunate to be living near the water during this time. It almost feels like there is no Covid except for all the visitors we usually have and don’t this year. Water is healing. I have been swimming and spending a lot of time outdoors. All good for my well being. I feel blessed. Summertime and the living is easy for sure. After many years of rushing and doing, today I am just being.Well sort of , I painted a picnic table in between swims.
Share this:
New Opportunities OER
Just when i thought twitter was not responding, it did and a wonderful new opportunity arose as a result.
I have been wanting to find a space that could house School Counselling Resources and share freely with others from around the world. Erin @ehordyskiluong and I met with Megan and came up with some amazing possibilities using the OER commons. I look at this as another retirement project as I always want to give back to School Counsellors. They dedicate their careers helping others, so if I in some small way can help them at this time I hope to do so.
I have much to learn ,but I have uploaded four potential new resources and am inviting School Counsellors from around the world to join in.
If you want to learn more here is how to sign up.
Share this:
Spending Time With Adult Children
I so love spending time with my adult children. Every moment I am with them is precious to me. I’m also fortunate that our daughter has chosen a partner who is kind, compassionate and such a perfect fit for her.
The times we get to be together brings much joy and happiness to my life. Our children have created a ritual in which they cook for us on all birthdays , mother’s day and father’s day. We love this so much. They cook for us at other times as well. They drop in and decide they’d like to create a meal for us. How lucky are we? I treasure these moments.
This summer we are so fortunate to have our daughter around more than usual . Both our children have grown up to be amazing adults who are caring, loving, good human beings. What more could we ask for? Spending time with our adult children is just simply splendid.
Share this:
Twitter Life
When I first joined twitter , it was such a lovely space. At least that’s the way I viewed it. People in my PLN were always willing to jump in and help. Connections were amazing. I felt I was able to reach out and my questions were answered. Twitter doesn’t always feel that way today. I still love the connections I have made and for the most part when I reach out eventually someone helps.
I do like is when someone reaches out to help like @oercommons did today when I asked a question of my PLN and they so readily jumped in to assist.
I love that you can connect with people from all over the world and people will collaborate on projects even when there is no money involved. They do it just to help.
Twitter is still my go to place especially for everything educational. My PLN is amazing and Twitter offers the best professional development ever. The resources I find on twitter are exceptional. I just wish we had a little of old twitter back when it seemed as if the world was just a bit closer and kinder.
Share this:
Each Day A New Opportunity
Each day we have a new opportunity to look at our life from a new perspective. We are never sure what life will bring us as is evident from this pandemic and all that happens to people we love and know. No one gets through life without bumps along the way. No matter what challenges we may encounter , how we perceive them is up to us.
As I walk, I notice the world around me and have time to reflect on how I will deal with life. Today is my opportunity to devour all the goodness that life has to offer and so I will.
Share this:
10 Acts of Self Care for School Counsellors
- Accept that you can’t do it all. There are only so many hours in the day and you deserve to take time for yourself. Make sure you take your lunch break every day unless an emergency comes up.
- Breathing is important for you too. Take time before each student you see to breathe.
- Connect with other School Counsellors. they understand you and the complexities of what you do.
- Dedicate time to play whatever that means for you , paint, sing, dance, doodle. Decompressing is a must for School Counsellors.
- Exercise every day. Finding some small way to exercise is one of the best self care tips that you will recommend to others, so you can fit this into your schedule too. Walking everyday clears my mind.
- Friendships make the world a better place. Do fun things with friends as much as possible.
- Gratitude helps, think of two things you are grateful for today and write them down.
- Hope is everything. Think of ways you can keep a hopeful attitude and journal them.
- Integrate positive self talk into your daily life.
- Just be you. There is so much pressure to perform and do so many tasks. Know that you have the counselling skills that help others and by just being you, you will make a difference.
Self Care is essential on an ongoing basis. Thanks for all you do! for more ideas click HERE.
Counsellor Talk : Connecting with those who want to make a difference. 