Sunday, January 18, 2015

From Classroom to School Counseling Office: Transforming Spaces




Oh boy, let me tell you about the incredible transformation that has taken place in my life this year! You see, I made a big leap and switched schools, expecting a smooth transition. After all, I've been in this game for 21 years, and with technology at our fingertips, how hard could it be, right? Well, hold onto your seats because reality hit me like a whirlwind!

Let's talk about my office situation. In my previous school, I had a cozy little counseling office all to myself, tucked away in its own peaceful corner. I could easily communicate with my colleague through the adjacent wall. We'd chat, collaborate, and support each other effortlessly. It was a harmonious setup that I took for granted. Little did I know that things were about to change drastically.

Fast forward to my new school, and guess what? My office has morphed into a full-blown classroom! Suddenly, I have all this space at my disposal, and it's exhilarating. I mean, who wouldn't love the extra breathing room? But let me tell you, it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns.

Transforming my office into a classroom was no small feat. It required heaps of effort and a fair share of investment. I scoured second-hand stores, online marketplaces, and garage sales to find furniture that would fit the bill. It became a treasure hunt, searching for the perfect pieces that would bring life and functionality to my new space. And let's not forget the challenge of ensuring everything matched seamlessly. It was like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but with the added pressure of making it look fabulous!

As I gradually filled the classroom with desks, chairs, and all the necessary supplies, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. But there was still one lingering fear that held me back from going all out—uncertainty about the future. You see, I hesitated to adorn the walls with countless posters and decorations. Why, you ask? Well, because I had this nagging worry that I might get relocated to another room next year. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving behind a beautifully decorated space, only to start from scratch again. So, I took a cautious approach and kept the decor to a minimum.

But amidst all the challenges and uncertainties, there's one thing that truly stood out to me. It's the realization that change brings new opportunities. Yes, my office is now a classroom, but that means I have the chance to touch the lives of even more students. It's a space where I can create an atmosphere of learning, growth, and support. And as I settle into this new role, I'm reminded that it's not the physical surroundings that define my impact, but the dedication and passion I bring to my work.

So, there you have it—the remarkable journey of transforming my humble office into a vibrant classroom. It's been an adventure filled with surprises, hard work, and a touch of uncertainty. But through it all, I've embraced the change and found excitement in the possibilities that lie ahead. Here's to new beginnings and the countless lives we'll touch in this transformed space. Let's make it an extraordinary ride!

This was my little office for the last 8 years.



Yep! That's all my 21 years of stuff all boxed up. It does not even include my furniture!


And now this huge classroom is all mine!



Great news! There is a nature trail behind the school.


Love the nature trail!




I made my welcome sign out of an old, oval frame and foam board.


My play area with a bookshelf of toys and magnetic board to display student work.



Another whiteboard that I had to do something with because it was soooo blah. 

                                         


With a sand box and a rolling drawer full of sand toys.


My desk and counseling area.


My small group table - I love having a place to work at a table!


Here's a cozy place to solve peer disputes with a huge bulletin board.







The right side..those are plastic plates with messages written in dry-erase markers so I can change them!



                                       

                                        

                                           


A leftover wreath re-purposed with my initial.


My Door


The outside huge bulletin board!


That I never change!


Really I feel guilty for not changing it, but it is A LOT of work!


My FAVORITE bulletin board outside my door. It's interactive and I can change the message!





Looking for more ideas for your office? Check out my puppet stand in my last office!







Saturday, April 19, 2014

Tracker - A Virtual Job Shadowing Community Career Awareness Program

                                      

Introducing Tracker: Igniting a Passion for Career Exploration

I've got something super exciting to share with you all. It's a fantastic program I created for my students called Tracker. I came up with this program to get my students pumped about exploring different careers in our community. Let me tell you all about it!

The Adventure Begins: Tracker's Field Trips to Exciting Workplaces

Tracker is like a little adventure case with a zipper pocket - perfect for carrying around some cool stuff that he collects on the job. Tracker absolutely loves learning about different careers! Every week, Tracker gets to go home with a different student on a special field trip to their parents' workplaces. It's an awesome opportunity for Tracker to learn about various careers and what they involve. 



When Tracker comes back from his field trip, the student who took him home gets to present a fabulous report. They create a poster filled with pictures of all the amazing things Tracker got to experience and learn about. Then I film their presentations and show them on our morning news show for the whole school to see. How cool is that?

Now, to make sure everything runs smoothly, we've got a permission slip in place. So, before taking Tracker home, students need to get their parents to sign it, giving permission to take Tracker to work and participate in some on-the-job training. They're also responsible for snapping pictures of Tracker doing cool things, like operating a forklift at Lowes or flying a Fighter Bomber for the Air Force. Talk about exciting!

Permission Slip

To keep things organized, I provide students with clear directions and a handy report form to fill out when Tracker returns, after a week. It helps them capture all the awesome details of Tracker's adventure to share with their classmates.

Report Form

Showcasing the Adventures

And here’s a dog-gone great promotion: I created a huge display to showcase Tracker's adventures. I usually have five posters hanging at a time, representing the five Schools of Study: Arts and Humanities, Business Management and Information Systems, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technologies, Health Science and Human Services, and Public Services. Under each poster, I write the name of the job Tracker visited in that particular field of study, along with the name of the student who took Tracker on that field trip. It's a way to give a shout-out to the students and their chosen careers all year long, even as I change the posters.




Now, let me share some of the incredible places Tracker has been - Atlanta Bread Co, American Red Cross, McEntire Air Force Base, Gamestop, and South Carolina Law Enforcement. These field trips offer our students a glimpse into a wide range of exciting careers in our community and inspire them to dream big!

At Atlanta Bread Co, Tracker got to witness the artistry of talented bakers crafting mouthwatering pastries and bread from scratch. The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air as Tracker learned all about the business.

The American Red Cross took Tracker on a heart-pounding adventure. Our little explorer had the chance to learn about life-saving techniques. Tracker witnessed firsthand the dedication and courage required to respond swiftly to emergencies and provide vital assistance to those in need.

McEntire Air Force Base was an absolute thrill for Tracker! Our adventurous companion got an up-close look at high-flying fighter bombers, witnessing the power and precision of our brave men and women in uniform. It was an awe-inspiring experience that left Tracker dreaming of soaring through the skies.

Tracker's visit to Gamestop was a gamer's paradise. Our little explorer dove into the world of video games, learning about the latest releases, and gaming trends. Tracker's joystick skills were put to the test as they tried their hand at various gaming challenges. 

South Carolina Law Enforcement provided Tracker with an inside look at the fascinating world of crime fighting. From forensic investigations to patrol cars and police training, Tracker witnessed the dedication and teamwork displayed by law enforcement officers. It was an eye-opening experience that sparked an interest in justice and public safety.

Here is one of Tracker's videos:


Inspiring Dreams: Tracker's Impact on Career Aspirations

These captivating field trips exposed our students to diverse careers. As Tracker explored these incredible places, our students enjoyed envisioning themselves as future bakers, paramedics, pilots, gamers, or even law enforcement heroes. The possibilities are endless, and Tracker is just the beginning of their exciting journey towards fulfilling careers in our community.

So, my fellow school counselors, Tracker is truly making a difference in our career awareness program. It's opening their eyes to the boundless opportunities that await them right in their own community. Together, let's continue to provide hands-on experiences to excite our students to dream big and conquer the world!

Ready to Use Resource: 


Have you been on the hunt for a program like Tracker? Shop here for this resource: 

Looking for more Career Awareness Activities? Check these out!


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Engage and Excite New Students: A School Tour for Welcoming New Students

                                         

Hey there, get ready for an awesome adventure like no other! It's that time of year when we warmly welcome new students to our incredible school. And to make their introduction to our vibrant campus extra special, we've got something super cool planned—an Amazing New Student School Tour Adventure!

Meeting the new fish in our school:

So here's the deal: instead of a typical tour where we simply walk around the school, I turned it into an epic quest that will ignite the imagination of my students! But before we dive into the adventure, we kick things off with a fun "get to know you" activity. We all gather together in my office, excited to meet our new friends. After our activity, I explain to the kids that I have a special treat for them—delicious Goldfish Crackers! But guess what? Our special surprise has mysteriously gone missing! Don't worry, though, because our playful friend, who loves a good mystery, has left us a clue to begin our exciting adventure...


I pull out my iPad and we scan the QR code on the fish to find the following clue:


The kids get so excited and I ask, "Hmm, where is a place in our school with a lot of books?" We follow the clue, eager to find our treat, and it leads us to our first destination—a hidden spot within the school filled with wonder and excitement. As we step into this extraordinary place, prepare to be amazed by what you see and experience. It's like stepping into a whole new world within our school walls, where magic and discovery await at every turn – the Library! This gives me the opportunity to explain that the library is now called "The Learning Commons".

As we continue our journey through the school's hallways, guided by the clues left by our playful friend, we encounter fascinating sights and uncover hidden secrets along the way. Each clue brings us closer to our ultimate goal, revealing where our treat has gone! 

Throughout the tour, we learn about important people and places that make our school truly special. From our related arts teachers to our front office staff, these are all members of the faculty who are important to know! We end up visiting all of these places: 
  • Library/Media Center
  • Main Office
  • Health Room
  • Art Room
  • Gym
  • Music Room
  • Lunch Room
  • Playground/Recess Area
  • School Counselor's Office

A Splashy Ending to an Unforgettable Adventure:

Finally, our thrilling tour ends with a fantastic surprise waiting for us back in my office! It’s that special treat carefully prepared to celebrate our successful adventure and warmly welcome our new friends to the school community. We take a few moments to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared and to savor the excitement and sense of belonging that comes with being part of our school family.

Each treat has this poem on it...







A New Circle of Friends

We've joined together
as the new year begins...
A year full of learning
while we become friends.
We'll share and be kind
as we work and play.
And our friendship will grow
with each passing day.






Bubbling Benefits:

Meeting with new students and taking them on a school tour has so many benefits:

  • Welcoming Atmosphere: The tour creates a warm and inclusive environment, ensuring new students feel valued and part of the school community from the start.
  • Familiarization: The tour familiarizes new students with the school layout, helping them navigate with confidence and reducing any initial confusion or anxiety.
  • Introduction to Important People: New students meet teachers, staff, and fellow students during the tour, establishing early connections and fostering a sense of belonging.
  • Engaging and Exciting: The interactive nature of the tour, with clues and surprises, keeps new students engaged and excited, setting a positive tone for their school experience.
  • Fun Learning Experience: The tour presents information about the school's history, traditions, and unique features in an enjoyable and memorable way, enhancing students' understanding of the school's culture.
  • Teamwork and Collaboration: Through group activities during the tour, new students collaborate, fostering teamwork and forming friendships.
  • Sense of Pride: The tour instills a sense of pride and ownership in the new students, as they learn about the school's achievements, values, and contributions to the community.
  • Memorable Experience: The tour creates lasting memories, making new students' early days at the school special and providing shared experiences for bonding.

Overall, as School Counselors, we want to provide a smooth transition, ensuring new students feel excited, supported, and familiar with their new school. By meeting with them in their first few days, it sets the stage for positive relationships, academic success, and a rewarding journey throughout their time at the school.


Ready to Use Resource: 


Don't miss out on this awesome chance to create a super welcoming and fun experience for your new students. Shop here for this resource:

Looking for more activities to do with your new students? Check this fun activity out!





Friday, March 16, 2012

Friendship Small Group Lesson: Strategies to Solve Conflicts with Friendship Fortune Tellers!


Conflicts are an inevitable part of daily life, even for children. However, it is crucial to help children understand that conflicts can be resolved with ease. In my Friendship Small Group, I focus on equipping children with the necessary tools to solve friendship problems effectively. 

Sharing Personal Experiences:
To begin our Friendship Small Group sessions, I encourage children to share their own experiences of having conflicts with friends and SUCCESSFULLY resolving them. By doing so, children reflect on their problem-solving abilities and develop self-awareness that this can be done! This sharing session creates a safe environment where children can also learn from one another.

Exploring Strategies:
In our lessons, I introduce a variety of conflict-resolution strategies to the group. Utilizing a Smart Board, I display these strategies, ensuring the students are familiar with them. While some strategies may be known to the students already, we focus on explaining the "Chance" strategy. This approach emphasizes fairness, ensuring that each person involved has an equal opportunity. To bring this concept to life, I allow the students to play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors or Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish, allowing them to experience firsthand how these Chance solutions can be applied to resolve disagreements in various situations. We then engage in a discussion about the specific scenarios where these strategies can be effectively utilized.


Applying Strategies:
After familiarizing the children with different strategies, I encourage them to apply these approaches to real-life situations. In a group setting, students take turns presenting social scenarios and selecting a problem-solving strategy to address the issue at hand. I emphasize that there is no one "right" way to solve a problem. I also use this opportunity to introduce using "I" messages, which promote assertive and respectful communication.

Creating Problem Solvers:
To make the learning experience more engaging and hands-on, I allow the students to create their own Friendship Problem Solvers. These problem solvers are reminiscent of the ones many adults may remember from their own childhood. I like to pre-cut the Friendship Problem Solvers to save time and ensure clean edges. The children then personalize and decorate their problem solvers, which in turn, fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their creations.




Teaching kids about friendship and conflict resolution is beneficial to all. By equipping them with problem-solving strategies, we empower them to handle their conflicts, build lasting friendships, and a harmonious school community.

Ready to Use Resource:


If you would like this FREE resource, you can find it at my...

Looking for more Conflict Resolution lesson ideas? Check this one out: