Counselor Connect Linky Party

Hey, y'all!!! I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I spent time with my little family shopping and hanging out...it was so nice! Mondays are so hard but when you have a job helping kids it makes it so worthwhile and those Mondays don't seem so tough anymore. I don't know about you but it's so stinkin' hard to get ready and going in the morning but once I am at work I am energetic and running around a million times a minute! I thought it would be fun to have a little Counselor Connect Linky Party! So link on up, copy the questions and answer them, and grab the link below and let us get to know you!

1. Name and blog?
Why, hello....I'm Melanie @ stylishschoolcounselor.blogspot.com


2. What school level are you at?
Elementary

3. Favorite counseling technique when a student does not want to talk?
art, writing, games, puppets.....PLAY THERAPY

4. What is a professional growth goal?
To be an LPC and to attend the play therapy institute at the University of North Texas (where play therapy pro Dr.Garry Landreth is) and one day I think it would be cool to be a high school counselor but right now elementary has my heart!

5. Why did you want to be a counselor?
I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students, of course! When I was in high school, I had a tough time sorting out feelings and dealing with the tragic death of a classmate. My school counselor at the time was so wonderful and always made me feel like I had a safe place to cry, just talk, and she made me feel like my feelings were always valid no matter how big or small something was.I want to be that person for a child.


6. What theory do you use?
In a school with an extremely large case load of students, I use solution focused but I also love me some Adlerian.

7. What is your go to activity?
I always have a student draw a picture of their family and it is so amazing what you get from that...

8. What is your favorite part of your job?
I would have to say small group counseling. I love to see the cohesion of the group and it's so cool getting to know the kiddos. It's awesome to build those relationships with the students and see them build strong relationships with each other.

9. What are some of your favorite counseling resources?
counseling blogs, pinterest, Solution focused therapy by Dr. Linda Metcalfe (book)

10. What do you do when you're not being a super counselor?
I am a wife to my amazing husband and mommy to my sweet kiddos (Grayson is 5 and Ella is 2). I also teach Sunday School, love to be with our families, shop, and rearrange things in my house when my hubby won't let me shop anymore...lol! I also love Starbucks and manicures.


11. One thing you are proud of this school year?
I am really proud of a program I just began second semester. It is called the Bully Police and students apply to help patrol the halls and report any bullying in the school. So far it has been working wonders and all the kids want to be on it. Bully Officers are given little tickets to report bullying and I am in the process of making badges so kids in each grade will know who to go to if they need help coming to me about bullying or reporting it. I have a bucket in the front office and the Bully Officers drop it off there and I check them each day.

12. What are other ways you communicate?
I have a personal blog: http://whatshappeningintheackerfamily.blogspot.com/
You can find me on instagram@ melroseacker
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/melaniea82/
Teachers Pay Teachers Store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Stylish-School-Counselor

Hope y'all enjoyed and I can't wait to see who links up so I can get to know them! Have a wonderful week and don't forget to take some time for you!!!!