Step Out of the Quicksand

When we graduate college, we have only worked with "textbook" problems. We haven't yet experienced the complex multi-faceted real-life situations that will face us.

When I walked across the graduation stage in 2010, I set out to change the world.  I wasn't exactly sure how, but I felt destined. 

And then...reality hit. And what a crushing blow reality can be. 

First, there's bureaucracy - a system that creates barriers for those with less.
Then, there are the naysayers - the people who discount your dreams and tell you "how it really is."
And lastly, there are so many problems - how can I change the world when SO much is wrong?

There are so many wonderful quotes about optimism.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."     Winston Churchill

 "Don't dig up in doubt what you planted in faith."     Elisabeth Elliot

"Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."     Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Optimism has captured the attention of researchers.  They find that it may improve outcomes for health, lifespan, and life quality.  If this is true, then can't it surely improve outcomes for educators?  Yet, we as educators find ourselves drowning in the quicksand of pessimism. 

So where do I begin my journey of educational optimism?  It is a path riddled with bureaucracy, naysayers, and problems.  Here's are 3 points for a simple starting place.

1. Start with one daily affirmation.  Below are some choices.

• I am in charge of my happiness today.
• I will bring light and peace to others today.
• I will focus on what I can do today.
• I make mistakes and learn from them.

2. Start with one child.

• Choose a child that both pushes and pulls at you.  Here is what I mean...the child's behavior pushes you away but their emotional and/or social needs pull you in.  Focus on building a positive relationship with this one child.  Just one child.

3. Start with the 2 people closest to you at work.

• Share with them your goal to choose optimism.
• You need "wing men/women" to support you in your journey of educational optimism.

No, you're not too late to be optimistic.  You can start today.

Being optimistic doesn't mean you ignore the problems that poison society. It means you find happiness and joy in your choices in this journey of life.  You find peace and contentment in the light you bring to dark places. It means you intentionally remember your calling to be an educator and the greatness of that calling. 

Step out of the quicksand today. And step into optimism.

Winter Bulletin Board

There's "SNOW" many ways to be kind!

 

Using Multimedia to Advocate for the School Counseling Profession

Great way to use multimedia to advocate

for the school counseling profession!

 

5 Facts about 21st Century School Counselors

Using Jenga to Teach Impulse Control

As a counselor, we often see students who display hyperactive or impulsive behavior.  One of my roles with these students is to teach them the skills they may lack.  These skills might include delaying gratification, concentrating, and making choices.

Jenga is a great game to illustrate and practice all of these skills. 

Below are some great questions to ask while playing Jenga to help the student make real-life connections:

• How do you make a good choice about which block to pull?
• What would happen if you pull a block without thinking first?
• You have to think ahead about what will happen when playing Jenga. How do you think ahead when making a choice in class?
• What happens in class when you don't think first before making a choice?
• How do you make choices in class?

Jenga is also a great time to reinforce any positive skills you notice, such as...

• I noticed you really took your time deciding which block to pull.  Good job!
• You are really thinking about what will happen if you pull that block. 
• I like the way you think about each option before choosing which block to pull. 

Need Ready-Made Multimedia Lessons? Try Ted Ed!

Finding the Right TedEd Lesson

TedEd allows you to search for multimedia lessons by:

• Age of the student (elementary, middle, high)
• Duration of the lesson
• Content of the lesson.

What is a TedEd Lesson?

Each TedEd lesson generally follows this order...

1. Watch. (Students watch an engaging YouTube video.)
2. Think. (Students answer multiple choice or short answer questions.)
3. Dig Deeper. (Students read additional information and can access links to other pertinent articles or websites that may be of interest.)
4. Discuss. (Students read discussion questions and answer online. Students can also read other users' responses.)

You can even create your own lessons!

Why Does This Matter?

TedEd lessons are a great way to flip lessons or incorporate technology into classroom guidance! 

Check out links to 2 great TedEd lessons below!

3 Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence TedEd Lesson
Overcoming Obstacles TedEd Lesson

3 Things School Counselors Can Learn from Apple Inc.

1. Know Your WHY. 

We all know WHAT we do.  We teach, counsel, register, consult, lead, and the list goes on. We know HOW we do it.  We offer unconditional positive regard, advocate for equity, and problem-solve. But WHY do we do it? 

In Simon Sinek's book, "Start with Why," it is not just WHAT we do or HOW we do it that matters.  It is WHY we do it that defines us and inspires others. Our WHY is our belief.  Sinek points out that Apple has clearly defined their WHY, "to challenge the status quo and to empower the individual" (Sinek, 2009,p. 43¹).  Their WHY defines them and inspires others to love their products and trust the company.

What is your WHY?  Does your WHY inspire others' trust?  Dig deep, go beyond, "I want to help kids."  What life experiences led you to this profession?  What key moments as a school counselor have had the greatest impact on you?  Re-discover your WHY.

2. Customer service.

Recently, I was having difficulty transferring data from my old iPad to my new iPad.  I prepared myself for the hassles that calling a customer service line usually entails.  I was even prepared to spend money for a "warranty plan" that would allow me to obtain assistance from a technical specialist.  What happened was completely different.  The Apple customer service representative was friendly, spent over an hour with me on the phone, and wanted to make sure that my customer service experience was positive. Apple has excellent customer service. People trust them.

Someone once told me, "We are all in the business of customer service." As school counselors, our customers are parents, teachers, students, our administration, the school custodians, the cafeteria staff, and anyone else who crosses our path.  How would people describe your customer service? 

3.  Diversify your delivery.

When I was in elementary school about 20 years ago, I remember using a chunky Mac computer with large floppy disks. Apple made computers.  Well, they did.  Now they make tablets, phones, watches, and more.  They have maintained their WHY, but diversified their delivery. ¹  Apple's website says, "The people here at Apple don't just create products - they create the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries" (Apple Inc., 2015). 

Just like Apple, diversify your delivery.  How can you cover the guidance essential standards for 21st century learners?  Plan a guest speaker panel to engage students about college and career options. Involve students in a Kindness Scavenger Hunt where they actively create a positive school culture. Use Twitter, blogging, or other technology to get students talking about challenging topics in a familiar (and cool!) medium.  Your WHY stays the same, but diversify your delivery.

 

References

¹ Sinek, Simon (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action.             Penguin Group: New York.

New Bulletin Boards for the New Year

Loving this bulletin board that promotes positive relaxation strategies for kids!

 

We ALL need a growth mindset! 

 

 

I love my inspirational quotes!