Season of Transition

 This week I helped move our church into a new building, I moved into my new office officially, help to move my nephew into his college dorm, and also moved my son back into his dorm at his college. During this week of moving it made me think  another season of transition that is just about to occur in our lives. And that’s the back-to-school season! Transition is hard for adults that change for our children leaving from the home and going off to college, me taking on a new role in a new school as one of two counselors, and also our children moving from one grade to another although it may be something that we say they should just get used to it still may be very difficult for them. When students start in a new classroom it is a new role that they are taking on because they had to adjust to new friends new expectations from a different teacher perhaps even uncertainty about the difficulty work that they’re going to have to deal with.

Three things that a teacher needs to do to support their students with their back to school anxiety:

1. An important thing that teachers can do to help reduce anxiety for students is being prepared on the first day of school. Being prepared means being present at the front door to greet the student with a warm smile,  having a prepared space for their students that they can easily find, (pre-labeled desks) as well as labeling where you’re going to have them place their supplies, lunch boxes, book bags, and any papers they may bring in.

2. Spend time getting to know your students and allow them to get to know one another.  Plan get to know you activities. This will help you learn their names, and provide  them an opportunity to learn the names of the other students that are in their class. Teachers pay Teachers has free resources available for back to school activities. Please click the link below (I am NOT a TPT seller, just a fan of the resources available.)

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Free-Back-to-School-Activity-Getting-to-Know-You-Games-for-First-Day-of-School-1310541

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STEM-Challenge-Back-to-School-Rules-FREEBIE-3365426

3. Meet one on one with as many students as you can just speak it to them for a minimum of 1 to 2 minutes so that every student feels seen and noticed by you the teacher.

Bonus tip: Throw out the old classroom management saying, that teachers should not smile until December or January. Classroom management is about being consistent and maintaining your expectations with your students. It is not about how tough you are. Set your expectations, be clear about your expectations, be consistent, and then smile and have fun! If you are enjoying having them in your class and they feel it, your students will enjoy being at school too.

During the first few days it may be tempting to ask students to share how their summer went but that is practice that should be abandoned. Avoid asking the students about what they did over the summer, because everyone doesn’t get to go on vacation, everyone doesn’t have fond memories of their time away from school.  Some students don’t have the luxury of snacks, snacks, and more snacks at home. Some kids didn’t take vacations. Some students were home all summer watching younger siblings and doing housework while their parents had to go to work. Some students have been waiting for school since school let out in May or June.

Back to School Lessons

School is back in session next month, and although I have thoroughly enjoyed my summer break I am thrilled to begin the school year. My mind has been filled with tons of questions, many of which I will not get the answers to until we are officially back in school. I have been thinking about how I want to introduce myself to my students. I looked on Pinterest and then went through the posts on the many FB groups that I belong to. One idea that has come up multiple times is using Mr./ Mrs. Potato Head. After seeing it numerous times, I researched what resources were available and the cost. This lesson is a visual representation of the role of a counselor. I want the lesson to be engaging so that the students are able to create a mental picture. This activity will serve as a reminder of how I can support them and what my role is in the school. 
I looked online and found that Amazon's price (as of 7/20/2019) was the cheapest and includes free shipping with Prime shipping! I found a seller on TPT that has a FREE handout that accompanies this lesson. Click the below to be taken directly to this resource. Be sure to leave the seller (Spark Success Counseling) positive feedback.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mrs-Potato-Parts-Meet-the-Counselor-Handout-1982848
If you are looking for a back to school activity that is engaging, this may be the one for you! 

Students come into our schools with baggage. It is important that we understand that the baggage that they bring into our buildings are often things that they can not control. If that student doesn't have a pencil, give them one. If they are sleepy, give them a few minutes to rest their head. Be a safe place for them, build a relationship with the child and you just may change their life. Classroom teachers, school counselors, and the other adults in the building have the capacity to make a difference for these students. 

Office with a view

 An Office with a View

I stopped in to look at my new office space. I was told I could begin moving my stuff in. The above picture is of my new office. I have a large bookcase and closet as well.  The school opened at the beginning of the current school year, so everything is new.I am looking forward to adding my personalized touch to this space. I just need to make a decision. Should it be counselor friendly or student friendly, rose gold decor, or bright colors?  

Decorating will be fun, but I also want to make sure I have the necessary tools to support my students. I have purchased fidgets, Inside Out movie plushes, stress squishes, and several read-aloud books. What other tools do you feel are invaluable in your job as a counselor?

Click the picture below to view the fidget kit I ordered for my students use. The set can be bought on Amazon for $13.99.

A gift left just for me

The previous counselor (who was a part of the interview committee) left me a shelf of resource books. It was nice to read her note that included her contact information, lesson plan books, and extra resources to help me have a fabulous first year. I am also very blessed because I will be working with another full-time counselor who has an office directly across from mine. I know she will be an invaluable resource.   I am a new counselor, so having an experienced counselor working in the building with me is a fantastic way to start my new career.

Hi!

Smile Tiff, you have several reasons to be happy!

Hey! I am Counselor Tiffany, a brand new school counselor!  I accepted a position as a school counselor for the 2019-2020 school year. I could not be more thrilled with this incredible opportunity.

I want to take this first post to tell you a little bit about myself and my journey to this moment.  I have taught preschool, second grade, fourth grade, and served as a training and curriculum specialist and an elementary school instructional coach. In these various roles, the one thing that remained constant is the need to establish relationships. I fostered relationships with the more challenging students by getting to know them and being a listening ear. I understood early in my career that “ Maslow before Blooms” was the key!  

I was nominated by my peers and served as the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year. I was humbled by this honor because it demonstrated my dedication to team building, holding my students to high expectations both academically and socially, thus realize their fullest potential. My passion for mentoring students and teachers has been the catalyst for my desire to obtain my Masters in School Counseling.

A quote that best describes me as an educator is “Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connections and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” by Rita Pierson. During my years as an educator, I focused on building relationships with my students to ensure that they knew they had someone who will be a champion for them. I am an advocate and support system for my students and their families.

Now that I have shared a little about me, I look forward to sharing my triumphs and missteps during this journey.