When the AVERAGE is FAILING

"If districts want the ASCA National Model, we need the ASCA recommended ratio."

Your friend asks you to build a house. They provide the specifications, blueprint, and building instructions. But they only provide you with half of the necessary supplies you need to build the house.

Having worked in both an affluent school and a high needs impoverished school, I have seen administrators and teachers go to work "building a house" with only half of the essential resources. Because they love their students, they sacrifice their personal time AND money to compensate for the lack of resources.

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model outlines the components of a comprehensive school counseling program. The principles of a program aligned with the ASCA National Model benefit students and the school community, such as:

• The school counseling program is for ALL students, not just at-risk students.
• The school counselor program is proactive, not reactive.
• School counselors spend 80 percent or more of their time in direct service to students.

The principles are good, just like the blueprint for the house was good. I have seen districts require the ASCA National Model paperwork to be meticulously completed. I have seen counselor evaluations dependent upon criteria from the ASCA National Model. But sometimes they only give us half of the essentials we need to build it. 

In 2014-2015, the average school counselor to student ratio in North Carolina was 1:378. In some states, the ratios are much higher (NACAC & ASCA report). 

However, this is the average. This means that the AVERAGE school counselor to student ratio is FAILING the ASCA recommended ratio of 1:250.

We are all educators, so we know that when the AVERAGE is FAILING, there is work to be done. 

What does this mean for our students?

• Fewer counselors to provide guidance on class selection and preparation for college and career pathways
• Fewer counselors to intervene in school safety situations
• Fewer counselors to intervene on behalf of abused, endangered, and/or suicidal children

This just names a few. 

Let's hold ourselves, our districts, our states, and the federal government to the same standards we expect of our students. When the AVERAGE is FAILING, there is work that needs to be done.

#ReducetheRatio

Kindness Month

Do you want to bring a positive focus to your school climate?

Do you want to empower kids to be "change makers"?

 

 

For the past two years, I have facilitated Kindness Month at my school.  Below are some of activities that have been included as part of this exciting time!

 

 

 

 

 

The Kindness Calendar

Kindness Calendars are posted throughout the school, including in each classroom. Students are challenged each day to fulfill the random act of kindness. I made my calendars bi-lingual (English on the front and Spanish on the back) so that teachers could copy and send home if desired.

 

 

Kindness Counts Spirit Week - A newsletter is sent home with all students informing students about Spirit Week.  In addition to the Spirit Days, information about bullying is included.

 

           Kindness Bucks - All staff are given Kindness Bucks. If a staff member "catches" a student being kind, they give the student a Kindness Buck.  Students write their name and their teacher's name on the Kindness Buck. In mid-February, students are allowed to use their Kindness Bucks to enter raffles to win prizes (e.g. soccer ball, puzzle, jump rope).

 
 
 
 
          The Raffle - In the morning before the bell rings, students can bring their Kindness Bucks to the main hallway and put it in a bowl of their choice for the item they want to win!  I have the table set up for two consecutive mornings in case a student is absent. I announce the winners over the morning announcements!

 

 

 



Inspirational Videos for Educators

Need a little inspiration? 

Here are some videos that may give you the momentum you need to

be an INSPIRING educator for others!

Get your groove on with this parody of "Ridin Solo".



We must continually change to reach our students.



The value of relationships in learning.

Pinterest and Parents

Looking for an innovative way to engage parents and students in your counseling program?  Do you want to incorporate technology into your school counseling program?

Check out my School Counseling Pinterest page at www.pinterest.com/CounselorJenn1.

Pinterest.com is an easy way to...

1. Provide parents with supplemental information about parenting, your counseling program, and mental health
2. Guide student exploration of careers, college, stress management techniques, and just about anything else
3. Create a positive public relations campaign for your counseling program

TIPS:

• Do NOT connect your school counseling program Pinterest page with your personal Pinterest page and/or Facebook page.  For example, don't use your personal email address when you set up your school counseling program page. 
• Use a quick Google drive survey or old-fashioned paper survey to find out what your parents and/or students would like to see on your Pinterest page.
• Don't clutter your professional Pinterest page. Make each Pin intentional and meaningful so that it is easy for parents, students, and staff to navigate.

Visit Pinterest's profile on Pinterest.

A few more Bulletin Boards based on the 7 Habits

Our school has adopted the "Leader in Me" program based on Sean Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and 7 Habits of Happy Kids.

Below are a few bulletin boards I created this past year based on the 7 Habits...

The 7 Habits According to the Presidents

 

 

Habit 1: Be Proactive - Student Work Display

 



Two Leadership Tips

Over spring break, I have been listening to several of John Maxwell's leadership books, including "Leadership 101" and "How to Win with People."

Two quotes from the books have stuck with me.

"Do win-win, or don't do it at all." ~ John Maxwell

In my role as school counselor, I work with so many different people - teachers, administrators, students, parents, cafeteria workers, janitorial staff, and office staff.  When things get hectic, I sometimes become focused on myself and what I need.  I forget all about what the other person needs or how she feels. 

While getting what I need may seem advantageous in the moment, it can be devastating to my relationships with others.  I must remember - my relationships with others are my #1 asset.

For example, when I am doing behavioral plans for students, it is important that I give the teacher as much support as possible.  If I just do my part and then say, "Good luck," I have failed.  I am creating a win-lose situation.  In order to "do win-win," I need to create the plan with the teacher and student, provide ongoing support, and offer as much help as I can.

"Do the things that provide the greatest return." ~ John Maxwell

Almost any counselor will tell you that one of their greatest challenges is a four letter word - TIME.  Between staff meetings, guidance, crisis needs, small groups, parent requests, 504 meetings, paperwork, and student needs, I often find myself wondering where my time went. 

In order to be most EFFECTIVE, I need to ask myself, "What thing(s) do I do that have the greatest impact?  What has the greatest return?"  I need to focus my efforts on these things. 

Every school has different needs, and therefore different tasks will have a different return.  After reflecting, I decided that the following tasks have the greatest return at my school:

~ Guidance Instruction
~ Individual Counseling (teacher referred and self referred)
~ Teacher Consultation and Support