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....

This time of year, as the students get a little antsy for a break, it seems that the teachers get just as restless. I love this video clip because it reminds us of the importance of what we do every day with our students. To give children a voice, especially during a time of year that may actually be one of the hardest times for them, is extremely important. Regardless of how the kids are acting in our classrooms or hallways during this time of year, we must remember how important our role is in their lives... right up until that last bell rings before the "break." Because, for us, it may seem like a wonderful break; but for many of our students it is a long, boring and tumultuous time away from the only place that seems safe.

Enjoy a little reminder of why YOU, as an educator, are so important. Happy Holidays!

It's one of those days that even if I tried to focus on one particular topic to write about, it wouldn't happen. It would come out all jumbled.... just like my conversations with students today!

One particular conversation with a silly, fun-loving kindergarten boy started with a story about why typing was hard for him (because it's so hard to use those two fingers! :)), quickly moved on to how his brothers like to fight with him (it's always their fault, you know!) and ended with a humorous demonstration of why he only wants to have sisters in the future (there are wayyy too many boys in his family!). Happy, happy Monday!