School Counseling Week 2016

It's that time of year. The time to celebrate the men and women who devote their time and hearts to being counselors. For counselors, it is a time to advocate for your program and show off all of the amazing stuff that you do!

If you are reading this and have not been a counselor...then I hope you stick around. As educators, we all devote lots of hours, are heartbroken over our students' stories, and pour so much love into all we do so that our students can be empowered and succeed. Yet, as a counselor, it is a very deep emotional weight. You connect with students and usually get to continue as that "ear to listen" over many years. You laugh, you cry, you celebrate, and you are there through rough times. Being a counselor is definitely no easy job!!!

So how are you celebrating School Counseling Week? Need some ideas? Below you can find past posts:

2013

2014

2015

As a counselor, I used this time to do announcements about what counselors do, give the staff certificates of appreciation for their support, and even highlight data to show the effect the counseling program had on the campus.

I also enjoy giving my own kids' counselor a treat and some of my fellow counselor friends. Below are some ideas.

-Handwritten notes from students
-Journals and Sharpie pens

-Lunch
-Gift Cards
-Homemade treats
-Starbucks (you can never go wrong with that...lol)
-Framed, positive quotes

You can get your own (print above)  FREEBIE HERE!

I hope you all have a great week full of lots of fun! Next up, I will be doing a wear to work series and a review on the new Honest Makeup Brand. Hope to see you back!

A little pick me up....

I don't know about you but a handwritten note or encouraging text makes all the difference to me. Whether I am having a bad day, didn't meet expectations I set for myself, or just feel "blah," receiving kind words instantly lifts me up. As counselors, administrators, and educators we are super busy and can get caught up in the craziness of our schedules. Sometimes we forget to tell the people around us how much we appreciate them or how proud we are of their growth. With the new year came new goals....

A goal that I set for myself this month was to communicate a positive message to at least 10 people a week (whether staff members or students). As hectic as the week gets, I knew I had to take the time to show appreciation and encouragement to those around me. Part of our job in schools is to motivate and grow others. I know I am thankful to those around me who challenge me and "grow me." Today I want to share with you some of the ways you can start spreading a little positivity all while fitting it into your schedule.

1. Set a realistic goal
I decided that 10 would be a good place to start. My goal includes staff and students. I would eventually like to move that number up but I wanted to first make sure I could attain it.

2. Be meaningful and purposeful
I don't randomly write notes. I have been trying to notice little things here and there so that I am writing genuine, positive words. For example, the other afternoon some boys stayed to help stack chairs when their friends walked off. They were respectful and helpful. I wanted them to know how awesome they were. There was also a teacher who helped longer than needed at bus duty. Things like that may seem small but make a difference!

3. Use a variety of methods
I love handwritten notes and cute little cards but I also send e-mails or a quick note on a sticky! One of my favorite ways lately, though, is Red Stamp. It is a free app you can download and they have super cute "cards" you can personalize and send through text or email. When I do walkthroughs, I use this, as well!!

Need a cute note format for students? You can download my counselor specific positive notes HERE!

You can also get a FREEBIE HERE!

One of my favorite places to get cards is Half Price Books. They usually have a good variety for a good price. TJ Maxx also has a snazzy assortment! If you want something personalized, I LOVE The Sister Studio's notepads and cards (link HERE-pictures below).

I also make sure to use fun colored pens (you can take a girl out of elementary but you can't take the elementary out of the girl)!! My past Kindergarten teacher heart just squeals with delight when I break out my colorful Sharpie and felt tip pens (which you can get on Amazon)!!

I also wanted to share a great article and graphic with you all! Wake Forest University offers a great online counseling program and recently emailed me with some resources to share with you all!

They created a graphic displaying "What Counselors Do!" This would be great for a bulletin board or to integrate into School Counseling Week to show everyone all of the awesome things you do!! You can check it out HERE.

They also have a great article on influential counselors in history which is HERE!


I hope you enjoyed the post! Please feel free to comment below on ways that you spread positivity on your campus! I would love to hear your ideas!

Happy 2016!

Y'all, I have missed you so much. Life has been busy and, to be honest, when life gets that way, blogging takes the back burner. Have you ever felt like you are running in circles keeping up with work and family? I am sure we all have. This school year has been a big learning curve for me. While I had last semester as an interim AP, this year has been FOR REAL! It has been all kinds of wonderful and I love learning something new each day but I am definitely keeping busy.

I have prepped some posts ahead of time so hopefully I can get in a post a week. I have also been working on half finished units. Some of these units are for teachers, counselors, and just general school stuff!! Now that I am an assistant principal, I am hoping to turn this into a one stop resource. Some of the upcoming posts I have are......

-Organization (School and Family Life)

-Goal Setting Ideas/Lessons

-Behavior Resources

-Growth Mindset

I hope you had a wonderful 2015 year. I learned a lot and enjoyed wonderful time with family! I definitely learned to enjoy every second since we are not guaranteed tomorrow. I learned to take time for ME so that I can refresh and be renewed for those around me. My husband and I ventured out a little more with the family on a few road trips, and we just savored being around those we love. There were tough and trying days but the good ones always outweigh the rough.

In 2016, I have a few goals. I hate to say resolutions because I feel that just means they will be broken!

-Be present with those around me

-Read more ( I have a stack of books I am dying to read-both educational and fun ones)

-Have quiet time every morning to start my day on a positive note

-Work out...haha....I purposely put that last because I am not so sure that will happen


I hope you all have a wonderful start back to school. I want to share this with each of you and it could be great to use in conversations with students....

I love the above because even if we make a mistake or have a bad day, the next morning brings a new chance for new choices and a new outlook. As the character from one of my favorite movies says....

What are some things you would like to see from The Stylish School Counselor? Fashion? A Fitness Journey (hey-it could give me some motivation)? Printables? Book Reviews? Comment below...and I hope you all enjoy the rest of your break and take time for YOU!!!