They are watching... no matter what.

As I trotted down the hall today after picking up the 4th graders for a guidance lesson, I could not help but notice some of the girls staring at me as we walked. Not even just a little look here and there, but all-out staring at me. They were watching how I walked, my facial expressions and my body language. Now, it is very possible I had something in my teeth and had hair sticking up on end, but either way this was a great reminder! Of what, you ask? Well...

I had to step back and reflect on how much we, as educators, lead by example. This does not just come with our words, what we teach and how we interact with our students... this comes every minute of every day around our students. They are watching and re-creating all of the time. If I would have folded my arms, the girls would have done the same. If I would have skipped, you better believe they would have been skipping too. What a way to be reminded that my body language is giving them a message each moment of each day.

As we went through our guidance lesson, we talked about  how our words are powerful, our actions are powerful and today we even discussed how our body language is powerful. Whether I am standing with my arms crossed, arms on my hips or arms at my side, I am sending a message.

What does your body language say about your demeanor today? I know I've got a lot to work on!

Happy Friday!

Love.

This week was certainly an interesting one throughout schools across our country. I cannot help but write about the wide range of emotion shared among students off all ages. Depending on location and situation, there were feelings of elation, happiness, relief, sadness, fear and anger flowing through the veins of schools due to the election of our new president. Some school counselors saw the jubilation while others worked with tearful, scared students. The range of emotion can be mind-boggling, yet we always have the option to choose to love and care for all of our students, no matter what. We can continue to stand up for what is right and what is just. We can continue to protect all of our students, no matter what. We can continue to fight the good fight against bullying and we can also continue to choose love. Our students are our tribe.

It hurts my heart to hear about the pain that many counselors had to help deal with. Pain and fear in the eyes of our students is valid; their feelings are their reality and we honor that, always. What a time this is to be able to help and impact our schools in a positive way. We have the ability to teach students how to disagree respectfully, how to lose gracefully and, especially, how to love. We are all in this together; we are grooming the next generation of trend-setters, fighters, lovers and policy makers just the same.

Let's do this. <3

It's what's on the inside...

This year has been an interesting one in terms of making a lot of fun changes. With one quarter (YES, I said ONE QUARTER) of the year done already, we are getting into the full swing of the changes. One neat lesson I learned this week from my therapy dog, Winnie, who is new to our school this year was in regards to the message at the top of today's blog post. It truly is not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside that matters most. Why do I need such reminders like this? It almost makes me feel stupid to write about because it seems like it is common sense. It is something I teach regularly, and preach often in my personal and professional lives. Why then, is it so difficult to remember sometimes?

This week I had to take Winnie to the groomer. In the past, she had a poor experience with a groomer, so I was a bit skeptical, but had good recommendations for this new one. I spoke with the groomer about keeping her hair long, especially because the kids love her fluff! Well, when I went to pick her up, she was hardly recognizable! I could not stop laughing... she looked so awful, in my opinion. I was fretting over it until I got to my next guidance lesson where my third graders reminded me of this important lesson. Their loud, excited responses went something like this, "WINNIE GOT A HAIR CUT! YAY!" and "WINNIE LOOKS SO CUTE WITH HER HAIRCUT!!"

Wow, was I surprised! Here I was worrying all about her darn hair, when it really does not matter! It's just hair. It grows back. What matters is that she was happy with the groomer, she was clean, she was expertly cut and groomed. The students looked past the hair thing far easier than I did. Such a good reminder that the things in life that truly matter are not things like this. Not at all.

Step back. Breathe. Reflect.

Happy Friday!

Inspiring?

This week, more than ever, I am hoping this little message is true. Sometimes our students hit roadblocks of which we have no control. It is frustrating to watch them tread through the murky waters of their lives when we can only continue to do what we do - offer support, let them cry, let them vent, show our concern and be a sounding board. Hopefully, that much is enough; Though it does not always feel that way. 

Maybe I am just more emotional than normal right now, but the stories from the kids this week broke my heart. I nearly cried listening to them. The tough exterior that these kids put on every day, just to survive, amazes me. Although it is an "effective" coping skill, it often hardens them and trains them to cover up any and all emotion. 

Here's to hoping that by doing what we love day in and day out, we are also inspiring and awakening the hearts of those students - the ones who need it most. 

And the heartbreak continues...

It seems that over the summer I forgot what it feels like to be a school counselor. Either that, or I am feeling things a bit deeper this year. The heartbreak of this profession is something that goes hand in hand with the fulfillment, I suppose. Stories continue to flow in from the long, awful summer break. Tears are flowing and students are re-adjusting to a more consistent life. Within all of that, I am constantly amazed by those who have grown and matured over the summer, those who have turned a new page, and those who continue to be strong despite their horrible circumstances.

This world is truly amazing. We have some truly amazing and resilient students that we come across every day. Here's to those kids. The ones who fight through it all and the ones who often float to the back of the room to be invisible. What an honor it is to serve them.

New year, new heartbreaks...

At the beginning of a new year, I find my heart breaking many times a day. The young girl, who I know well from past concerns, coming up to me and hanging on tight - so tight - telling me over and over that she missed me. The others with dark circles under their eyes due to the lack of consistent sleep, or even a place to sleep, over the summer. And then there are the parents, or adults who step in as parents who come to relay all of the horrible events of the summer so we can help clean up the mess. The tearful parents who just want someone, anyone, to provide the hope. This hope is directly connected to the public school system, a system where I LOVE to work.

The beginning of the year is also a time that reminds me how much I love what I do. I have said it many times, but it is so good to be back with these kids. They are my "why"... why I do what I do. 

Cheers to the new year! Cheers to giving these kids, and the adults in their world, exactly what they need!

Here's to summer!

How about we just give a shout out to summer!? What a way to live, learn and reflect. Summer. <3

With that said, it is time for me to get my head in the game! Isn't it funny how it takes a full few days to actually get your brain to think straight again? What'll happen when I retire?! Oh boy. :)

This year, I would love to "ease into" the school year. Is that even possible? How about I give it a try. Several new programs will be implemented and I need to be sure not to get too bogged down by the craziness. Little bits at a time will make the world go 'round.

Cheers to rolling into this school year with style, ease and a steady base.