Our thoughts shape our world...

This just really hit home today... so I had to share the three things I have been thinking about most since the morning Holiday Staff Gathering. We had breakfast in for everyone, provided a time to socialize, smile, laugh and be together. The standard crowd came, it was a great way to start the day. In the back of my mind I cannot help but think about those who did not come. The act of not coming was more than just a lack of time (no other meetings were taking place - well, other than maybe the meeting of the negative minds). I guess I'll let the words below speak their truth; and I'll continue to forge forward, being the best that I can be each and every day. Breathe in, breathe out. Happy Holidays!

Compliment, anyone?

I was searching for something positive to write about today because the "griping bug" caught me. I don't typically have lunch in the teachers lounge because of the nature of the discussion. I leave there feeling like griping! That happened today. A good reminder to use my lunch time more effectively. :)

Right after this negative dicussion, I had to hurry to teach a lesson. The lesson involves compliments, and is one of my favorite of the year! I love the video below. What a tribute to the compliment. It reminds me of my mom, who taught me the true art of complimenting. She even has packets of sticky notes with messages on the notes that she pre-writes. She'll carry them with her or keep them in her car. Each time she gets somewhere new, she'll put a random sticky note on someone's car window, or the door to the grocery store. The messages always come with a smiley face and say something like, "You're awesome! Have a great day!" How cool is that!? 

Today my students teamed up to get and receive compliments. Afterward, one 4th grade boy turned to me with tears running down his face and said, "I told my partner that if it weren't for him when I moved here, I'm not sure what I would have done. He's the best friend a guy could have!" 

Yet another reason I love what I do. People are good. Kids are good. Life is good. 

What is your motto?

Often, within the walls of our school buildings, we do not take time to reflect on our interactions... specifically our interactions with colleagues. Many times, a quick comment in the hallway or an all-to-fast stop by a classroom is all we have. Are we really communicating to the best of our ability during this time? 

This makes me think of the lack of communication (actual communication) within text messages and on social media as well. Although we may think that our colleagues understand us, is that really the case? How are we truly viewed through the eyes of our colleagues? Would the answer be surprising? And, if so, would we be able to step back and reflect on their honest viewpoints? How would we handle that information? 

Does any of this really matter? Well, as I ponder that, I start to wonder how many of my colleagues truly know me... and my stance on education, my "philosophy" of education, so to speak. Do they know that I try my best every day to make ALL decisions based on what is best for student learning? Do they know that I strongly believe in public education as a means to serve not only our communities and states, but our world? Do they know that I think what they do, as teachers, is simply amazing? 

My goal is to start being more transparent with my thoughts and "motto's." It's likely that my colleagues at work do not even know why I do what I do... why I love my job and why I believe in this profession. I certainly do not know that about them. I am wondering what their "motto's" might be. Some, I am aware of because it is blatantly thrown around... but others, the really important ones, are not as transparent. What can I do to ensure that the good in the colleagues around me shines, rather than hides in the corner? Let's start the quest today. What is your motto?

The important things...

What a day to remember to not take the little things in life for granted. The important things. Life is precious. When really taking time to remember the important things in life, we often overlook the things that happen at school, during the work day. It is easy for my mind to wander to the boat days or the sunsets or even the rainbow I saw on a walk outside. But, really, what about during the work day?

When I think about those "little things" that we come across in the daily life of school counselor, the moments below come to mind:

• When a student "happens to stop by" and the conversation turns into just what they needed. 
• When the cooks have a little extra something to share from the cafeteria, oooo it's so good.
• When that really "tough cookie" has a breakthrough and shares insight.
• The funniest things that come from the mouths of the very little ones. 
• This week, it was, "But my brain just forgets to be nice!"
• When a student stands up for another student. 
• When students excitedly come with ideas about forming new counseling groups.
• This just happened.
• When students leave notes or draw pictures of "thanks."
• When the exact student you needed just happens to walk by, and you don't have to go look for them.
• When a morning meeting gets cancelled on just the day you needed the extra time. 
• When you have enough time to eat lunch sitting down. 
• .... what are important moments?

Why is it that we don't keep these things at the forefront of our minds? Why do our minds have to get so muddled with the less important information? 

Today, I'm going to take some time to step back; To get my priorities straight; To remember the most important things in this precious life. 

New year, new mindsets...

I have been reading through some specific curriculum in order to update my lessons throughout this school year. Many of the things I've been reading have to do with brain research, mindfulness and our mindsets. These things fit in well with the scope and sequence of my developmental guidance program. They reminded me of a book I read a few years ago by Carol Dweck - regarding the growth mindset. It all ties in nicely with academic achievement. As I sit an research, this video pops up: 

Not enough time in a day to write anything more insightful today, but here's to learning about the brain and how we can grow our potential!

Mourning Summer, but not our Mistakes....

I know that we say it every year, but wow, Summer sure went fast! As we enter the new school year with new dress clothes, new hair cuts and new perspective, I think it's important to remember where we have come from. Reflection about the past school year can really add to the depth of the one that we are beginning.

Learning from mistakes is, by far, one of the most important lessons we can gain from year to year. This lesson has not always been an easy one for me... which brings me to the thought, "how do we teach our students to be wrong, to fail?" How can we teach that failure is okay, as long as you learn from it? In fact, failure can sometimes be a blessing; something we learn more from than if we had just kept succeeding at everything.

Educator effectiveness is another example that has brought about this "fear of failure" to many educational systems across the state of Wisconsin. Many educators fear an evaluation that could say anything negative. In my recent past, I would have feared that evaluation as well. Now, I am eager to know what I can improve - it helps to define my year, give me a purpose, set goals.

Time to buckle down in the midst of the "BOSY" (Beginning of the School Year) chaos! Let's make it count!

Educating minds and hearts, with hurting minds and hearts...

Each morning, I take a seat at my desk to sort out my emails. Some of the emails remain in the inbox, as the "to-do list" for later. Some of the emails get deleted right away, as the "junk" that would take precious time to read. And some of the emails fall into that grey area, as the "what do I do with this because reading it is probably important, but I don't want to" kind of email. (I am picturing a little kid jumping up and down, yelling, "I don't wanna!")

This morning was no different... except that the email to fall into the "what do I do with this because reading it is probably important, but I don't want to" category was from the Department of Public Instruction and included this particular article: Public Education in WI.

Now... I don't often get too "political" and I make a purposeful effort each day to refrain from getting wrapped up in the politics of the state. I'm not sure this is the right response, but I feel that when I start reading things like this, I get SO bogged down. It makes my brain and my heart hurt. My brain and my heart... the same heart that was cared for so wisely by teachers in a public school in Wisconsin. My brain... the same brain that was developed within a Wisconsin public school over the course of many important years. I was taught to question things in order to learn to challenge myself and become a global, mindful citizen.

There is no question that the Wisconsin teachers in my life have shaped who I am and who I will become. Many of those teachers, still teaching in our schools, will also read this article or get this same email. Many of my colleagues will read this piece of news as well. Please tell me how, when our minds and hearts are hurting for our profession, are we supposed to shape the minds and hearts of the children who sit in front of us? No doubt, we will continue to move forward... but the defeating feeling dwells. It stings.

The five senses...

Yesterday, I had a wonderful conversation with some wonderful people about taking the time to step back, be present and truly get in tune with our senses - all five of them. If you really think about it, how often do you really do this? How often are you keenly aware of yourself in the moment? I thought about that conversation on my run this morning, therefore prompting me to truly feel, see, hear, taste and smell my morning routine. What a blessing.

While proctoring an AP exam today, I had much time to think (as we all do when proctoring all these tests!)... and as I sat there today, I thought about how I most often do not stay "present" while I am at work. There is always something to get done next, something that I forgot to do, or a student that needs immediate attention. Even as I write this, I constantly flip back and forth between what I am doing and the things that pop into my mind - what I could be doing.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could be present and stay present... at work? Since that is not often possible, I thought I'd at least take a step back today to reflect on what I might be missing when I'm not always "all there" with my senses. There were so many that I though of, but a short list seems fitting for these purposes:

1. The sound of laughing and conversation in the hallways. This is the sound of students who are connecting with one another in positive ways.
2. The sight of my students, thinking hard - racking their brains for just the right response on a test or paper or homework assignment. This is the sight of learning. Isn't that what we're here for? I take this for granted way too often.
3. The taste of my morning coffee. What a treat in the middle of an otherwise chaotic day. Do I even taste this on a typical day, or just suck it down as a "necessity"?
4. The feel of my space heater blowing on me just when I've frozen my fingers off at a meeting outside of my office. What a blessing that I've been able to keep this in my office. My administrators know how "cold-blooded" I am!
5. The smell of the cafeteria... especially on the days when the kitchen staff makes coffee cake! Yum! I can hardly walk by without stopping to say something or wishing that smell was lingering down in my hallway too!

What are you missing when you don't take note? Something positive, I bet! :)

P.S. The conversation about senses was sparked after reading a really great book called "The Art of Hearing Heartbeats" by Jan-Philipp Sendker. Check it out here: The Art of Hearing Heartbeats - Book Link

Suffering from #toomuchpaperworkthatIamnotgettingtomystudentssyndrome

If there was such a syndrome, I think I have it! Testing, forms, papers, etc. Sitting in front of my computer is definitely not favorable for this school counselor! Do you have the same issues right now?

I am already creating that summer "to-do list" and it is filling up very quickly. This is just work stuff. Come to think of it, let's create a "summer FUN to-do list" too!

1. Laugh... a lot.
2. Get out on a pontoon... too many times to count.
3. Get some sunshine... more than just "some."
4. Smile... a lot.
5. Golf... even if I don't know how.
6. Go somewhere... go there twice, maybe!
7. Laugh some more... lots more.
8. Enjoy my family.
9. Train the dog... and enjoy doing it.
10. Don't forget to laugh... :)

Come to think of it, this article has an even better list: Click HERE to check it out!

Better get back to that paperwork....

Teaching Self-Reflection?

Often, I am reminded how extremely important it is to have the skills to reflect on our own behavior. This is something that I try to work on daily through journal writing, research and questioning my colleagues. I wonder, though, how can this be taught to our students? I have the ability to teach a variety of things. What can we do to ingrain these skills into children? If we were all able to step back and evaluate ourselves honestly, I truly think this world would be a different, better place. We would evolve more rapidly because we would always be working to be a better version of ourselves.

So what stops us from self-reflection? Are we scared of rejection? Scared to be wrong? 

Next week I fully intend to make a more conscious effort to not only reflect on my practice, but to model that self-reflection. If anything, I hope it just might rub off in the right place. I think I need to step up my game. :)

Sometimes we need a little humor... :)

What do they call it these days.... "Throwback Thursday"?? Well, I thought today would be a good day for some humor. I've kept a log for years now called "Kids Say the Darnedest Things."

It's true. They do. Some of my favorites over the years are below.... Enjoy the giggle! :)

“Once I had a Jewish person in my family” – girl while coloring a picture of her family

  B: “When did Martin Luther King Jr. die?”  C: “Probably back when Wii’s were first invented”

“You know what!? Brown cows make chocolate milk and white cows make white milk. Goats make both kinds of milk” –Kindergarten boy

1st grade girls to me: “Did you pass school yet?”…yes, ….. “are you married?” … No, … “well then how did you pass school?

Me to young girl:   “What’s new?”… “My mom’s changing my birthday… it’s going to be on June 3^rd instead of July 24^th.”…Me: "What? Can you do that?”… “Yes, if your mom wants to, you can.”

Does good character matter?

Asking that question is almost like asking, "does the job of a school counselor matter?"

Well... new research says YES! Check out the link below to get that little bit of validation that you might need on this Tuesday.

CLICK HERE

I love this video as a lead-in to talk to students about growing their brains! With all of the latest literature about growth versus fixed mindsets, this is a great fit. Students, K - 12, can relate to this video in one way or another. Check it out!

Believe...

Sometimes we need to take a step back and realize just how much a positive attitude can impact our lives. Believing in who we are, our philosophy and what we stand for is so important! As I have mentioned before, it is so easy to get caught up in our day to day activities, that we forget to step back and reflect. It's time to reflect on our success, what we've accomplished this year and where we're set to go from here. Go get 'em! And Rock 'n Roll! (check out the short, funny video!) :)

Remember...

My heart has been broken a few too many times this week. I feel for my students and the places they go home to... My very first year as a school counselor, my principal gave me some advice that I have used as a "motto" of sorts for years now. It has been important to my well-being as a counselor and my ability to continue moving forward. What is a piece of advice that has stuck with you?

"Remember... all you can do is the best you can do with the resources you've been given in the time you have here at school."

School Culture?

My thoughts on School Culture and Climate have been extremely reinforced by the recent conferences and workshops I have attended. More on that to come! But, in the mean time, check on the article below.

Click HERE to see why you need an "elevator pitch" on School Culture!

On a Monday morning that feels really Monday Morning-ish... Another good little reminder. Check out the article below, too!

Click HERE to see the article!

Beauty in the small things...

Coming in to work this week was quite the sight! I should have sat for a moment longer to remind myself that although it is easy to get wrapped up in the the systemic duties of this job, it is the little things that show me EVERY day why I do what I do. It is so easy to forget the real reason we are here: the students. Something as simple as a wonderful brainstorming session and a really great group counseling session can get me to take a step back and truly realize the importance of a school counselor. 

Please, please do not forget how important you are this week. Or next. Take moments like this Monday morning sunrise to remind yourself how wonderful you are. Despite the testing, paperwork and politics of it all... you are truly a difference maker. 

Take What You Need...

Sometimes we have to step back and remember why we are here. I love this poster below... and have them posted around the building. I was surprised by how many people stop to take just what they need. In one recent conversation, a colleague stopped to tell me about how she really needed some healing. This led into a meaningful talk about things I would have not otherwise known. What a blessing. She took her little slip of "healing" and moved forward for the day. :)

What do you need this week?

People are good, teachers are good...

This morning as I walked into the building feeling tired and foggy, I was again reminded of a comment I made last night while talking to my parents: "People are good." Maybe working in a school reminds me of that more often than the average person, or maybe it is just a simple truth. Either way, I prefer to think that way over any other way. Period.

In this case, the people I work with are good. All of them. The teachers, custodians, kitchen staff, secretaries among the other support staff. They are here for the common good of our students... even when it comes to a jammed locker. I walked in this morning, shivering from the cold, to a loud pounding sound. Lenny, the custodian who is always the first in the building every morning, was pounding at a locker. He mentioned that this particular student had been having issues with a locker that jammed. It seems like a simple, mundane task, however Lenny knows that it is really more than that. Peering up at me with his wrench in hand, he said, "It always makes me feel bad when this happens because something as little as a locker jamming really starts a students' day off on the wrong foot." He went on to talk about how these types of things are how he can make a difference. And he does. Every day.

Sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up in the negativity the comes from the pressure of the new state initiatives, the new testing requirements and hearing colleagues complain about this or that; but it is important to take a step back and remember that people are good. Even those who complain. They are good too. We are all here for the common good of our students and we mean well.

Education is a grueling profession, but it is not without its rewards. Remembering those rewards is the key! This week, I am choosing to remember the little five year-old girl who nearly knocked me over because she was running up so fast to give me a hug. And also the little boy who smacked himself in the forehead with a sly smile as he loudly admitted to me that he "accidentally" peeked at his Christmas presents before he opened them. I am choosing to remember the powerful brainstorming session with fellow colleagues about community involvement in our wonderful school. And the teacher who stopped in this morning for a visit and a smile. And then there's Lenny. Here's to Lenny. Here's to his simple, powerful and practical goodness....