Accept the moment...

This little note spoke to me this week. No matter how hard we plan for the big events, make follow-up phone calls or schedule things down to the minute, we cannot account for everything. That is life, that is not an issue or a problem. Some days, this is easier to accept than others. Some days, things roll right into place no matter how many hiccups occur. Other days, well... other days don't work out so well.

Self care plays a huge part in whether or not we are able to accept the moment for what it's worth and move forward in a positive way. Yesterday, I started the day off with a hilarious video and I laughed so hard I cried! Today, the sunrise was so absolutely stunning on my run that I had to stop and just gaze for a while. (*If you've never been shocked, awed, and utterly amazed by all of the colors of a morning sunrise, I highly suggest you take advantage. It's like nothing else in this world and so worth waking up early.*) What a way to ensure that I am able to move through my day with ease, accepting the little "moments" as they come, rather than stressing or fretting over them.

Time to rock this day. My grandmother has always said that, "if you cannot dazzle them with your brilliance, then you might as well baffle them with your *b.s." :) So, regardless of the situation, I have a tool in my toolbox to make it through!

Oh yeah, and it's graduation tonight! Congratulations to the seniors out there!

*Can you tell I'm scattered!?

Here's to the kids who are not excited this time of year...

I must say that my language with students surrounding the topic of summer break has changed since I first started this career, and continues to change. A discussion with a colleague this morning made me reflect on a few of the talks I have had lately with my students. Not every student wants to have summer break. In fact, many are not looking forward to this time of year. 

As teachers and staff, we so often talk excitedly about the approaching summer, we have "count-downs" on the board, we assume that everyone is looking forward to THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. The excitement is built into the culture of the school, the way we speak about things and also to the way we talk directly to students. I notice myself doing several "end of the year" check-ins with kids and asking them, with enthusiasm, how excited they are for summer to come, etc. This year, I have had many students say something like, "well... actually.... I kinda don't want it to come." I have no idea why this came as a surprise to me, because I am well aware of their home environments. 

Deep breath. They have some heavy things going on. 

Do I need to be more sensitive to their feelings about all of this? How do they feel when everyone is going crazy with excitement for the summer to be here? Do they feel isolated? Do they just "play along?" I have several students who I will be thinking about all summer, worrying, wondering if they are okay. Some that do not have a place to go, others that do not have food on the table each day, and then others who will face even more violence and drug-use without the structure of the school day to protect them. These are the students who will be excitedly wishing for school to start again. Time for me to start being more cognizant of this. 

Yes, despite this, I am excited for all of my summer travels, but I promise to remember that not everyone gets that sort of excitement. Maybe a simple summer "to-do" list will be a way they can keep their minds busy? Oh, if only it was as simple as that. Here's to the kids who want us there all year round. Here's to the kids who need the support of the school day. 

Praise versus Critique

It's that time of year again when it is important to gauge the effectiveness and impact of a school counseling program. Ignorantly, I did not even realize that the state school counseling model recommends that we  survey our "clients" in order to get an idea of what they think of our program. I simply created a survey because I truly wanted to know from them what they thought. One survey for staff, and one for students addressed strengths and weaknesses according to them. 

After reviewing the results and creating goals for moving forward, I quickly realized that it is one thing to ask for constructive feedback and another thing to actually take it to heart and learn. Although sometimes the comments, from students especially, may sting a bit, it is so important to break it down and really listen. Behind the high-school, drama-filled language, what is that student truly saying? How can I address it? I'm getting there. :) 

Oh, and also important to remember to actually read and take to heart the positive things that they say about you as well. As I was frantically looking at the data results (because who has time for anything right now?!), I realized that I was only skimming and not even reading all of the nice things that the surveys had to say. That information is just as important! Take in the positive, but get better from the critique! It's all about balance. 

Okay. Deep breath. It's that time of year. Craziness is upon us. AND it's Friday the 13th. Good luck all!

Don't be hard on yourself...

This is a very great reminder for me as I look through the data from the surveys I give to students and staff members about my counseling program. Although it tends to be positive, why is it that I ruminate on the negatives? I know that I purposely ask for feedback because I want to improve... but sometimes it still stings a bit to get that information. Today is all about turning a negative into a positive, finding a strength in a weakness, becoming better and thriving as a school counselor. We can all, always, do better. So that's just what I'm setting out to do. 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! 

A special shout-out goes to Mrs. Pickerign, my 6th grade teacher, who taught me compassion, composure and leadership. I'm sure I learned reading, writing and arithmetic from her too, haha. But, sometimes we forget that the most important things we learn from our teachers doesn't come from a test, a canned curriculum or a state standard. Thank you to Mrs. Pickerign, and all of the wonderful teachers who are forging forward in this profession, despite the sometimes daunting nature of it all.