Monday, August 13, 2012

Behavior and Norms

Kids have to know what you expect of them, and this is best achieved by having a school-wide system of behavioral policies. I attended a CHAMPS training this summer and it got me really excited about promoting more success in my classroom this year by having good classroom management. When I am a counselor, I will definitely help teachers institute a campus-wide program so that kids will know what's expected in any classroom throughout the school This is the foundation of behavioral management -- conceptualizing and defining your expectations. Since I now teach bilingual, I refer to my class as Team "B," which I call Team Bravo because of my military background, and I used the letters of the title to make this mnemonic, which will be posted prominently.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Goals and Accountability

It is critical that a counselor sets specific goals for the year across the student population, ensuring each grade level and needs group is met. In planning for the year, I have done my best to anticipate the needs of the students in the school, and developed a statement of measurable goals and objectives with evaluation procedures.

Statement of Overall Goals and Evaluation Procedures

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

You and Your Learning Style

I often marvel at what an amazing world we live in, and our world is like that because of the many unique, wonderful people that fill it. Everyone is so different, and yet we all share many things in common that connect us and help us to learn and grow from each other and our relationships. The process of self-discovery begins at birth and continues forever, as long as we are willing to learn. Yet, sometimes, learning is a struggle. There are plenty of people who don't enjoy learning in the classroom because they would prefer to be outside learning from nature. Others need to move around in order to get their brain working, and yet others like to hear things in a song, or create a piece of artwork in order to help them understand the meaning of new concepts. Do you ever feel like teacher just do not understand you? Do you find yourself daydreaming about the outdoors when you are stuck inside at a desk? You  may be a naturalistic or musical learning style person. Click here to take a short assessment that can help you learn a little more about yourself and your learning style. Please print out your results and study them. Finally, talk to your teacher or counselor about helping you find some ways to enhance your retention and understanding of the things you are learning in your classroom every day. As educators, we are more than happy to help you, especially when you know what you need in order to be successful!

Teachers, click here for a guidance lesson for test anxiety that incorporates this learning style questionnaire and adapt it as needed for you classroom use.  

Responsive Services

Counselors must be available to respond to a variety of issues throughout the school day in order to address the needs of students and concerns of family members. Below you will find some of the useful forms needed for documenting your work in order to maintain accountability for your time and continue to be an advocate for yourself.

Use this form to help students set behavioral goals for success in the classroom and monitor their own progress:
Behavioral Goal Form

Teachers can print this form from their desktop and email it to me to allow the student confidentiality and anonymity:
Counselor Referral Form

Suicide prevention is real, even in elementary. In the sad case that you have a young student who seems capable of self-injury, use this form as part of your immediate response plan:
No Harm Contract

Here is a list of community agencies that provide counseling services. Please contact the various agencies for your health insurance provider to find the practitioner who is right for you and your family.
Referral Sources