Counselor Introduction, My Counselor is a Princess, and #NSCW19

Hello, friends! Can you believe it is almost February? And that means celebrating one of the most exciting weeks of the year, National School Counseling Week. As a school counselor this was always one of my most favorite weeks. Not only is it a fun week to be recognized, but most importantly, it is an opportunity to highlight your school counseling program and the effects it has had on your campus.

Often times, I would create a menu of services or a cute, quick sheet highlighting things in the program, or fun facts such as our school has had 136 guidance lessons to date on these topics...or there have been 13 lunch bunch sessions. Not only is this a wonderful time to share what it is that you do, it is also a chance to advocate for the counseling program. I would also do an announcement each day sharing a counseling fact or something special about the program that week (Ex: we have learned about 3 important character traits so far at our school: respect, integrity, and kindness).

I would also give all staff members a certificate of appreciation for their support for our school counseling program. You can find some of my past links below:

2014
2015

You can also find ideas at ASCA's website HERE.

As I shared in my last post, my husband and I began writing books as a fun hobby. Our newest book is one I just knew I had to share with you all. It is called My Counselor is a Princess (HERE). This is a very light, simple read that discusses briefly what a counselor does. As with the other books in our series (My Teacher is an Elf HERE and My PE Teacher is a Ninja HERE) the students find some of her qualities to be that of a princess and wonder if that is what she really is. It would be great to use at the beginning of the year or during school counseling week as a fun activity.

Not only are we excited to release it right before National School Counseling Week but I have finally created a companion activity pack to go along with it on Teachers Pay Teachers. You can use the activity pack with or without the book. You can find it HERE

There are 5 activities (only 1 you would need the book for) and 5 posters. I must say the posters are my favorite and I will show you why! When I created these posters, I thought it would be important to not put the feeling word that most may think of when they see the pictures. I wanted these to be laminated and used in guidance to talk about feelings. Students may come up with great words aside from the usual mad or happy. They may think of frustrated, hurt, etc. These would also be great to have in a hallway or classroom.

The book and activity pack would be a fun. quick addition to your guidance lesson resources and if you do use it, I would love to see pictures. You can also now follow me on Instagram at @stylishschoolcounselorblog and also over @ackerbooks (side note: my husband's instatories crack me up)

 I hope you all have a wonderful School Counseling Week. I created and posted this earlier in the week but remember to take care of YOU. We cannot be our best and give our best if we don't take time for ourselves. Remember, self care is one of the top ways to prevent burn out. Even 15 minutes of yoga or singing in the car with a cup of coffee all alone...don't forget to invest in your well being.

Melanie

Something exciting!!!!

I usually won't blog this much in a weekend but with School Counseling Week and being on a blogging hiatus for awhile...I have so much to say!!!

First, I am so excited to be hosting an Instagram challenge. I have been joining in similar challenges on Instagram that were non-counseling related so I thought it would be fun to start one to coincide with School Counseling Week.

Here is how it works:
-Just post a pic that goes with the theme for the day (you can find it below). It starts tomorrow so that is Day 1. Then before you upload your pic, don't forget to put #schoolcounselorchallenge

It is a fun way to take a peek into other counselor's lives and get to know each other, so I can't wait!!!

So, speaking of School Counseling Week, here's what we are doing on our campus.

-Morning announcements provided by ASCA, which you can get a copy of here .

-Bulletin Board on "What Counselors Do" which I will try to post a picture of later in the week.

-Certificates for the staff members.
 

This is my first year at this campus and district, so this year I am just getting a feel for it and I am brainstorming for next year already! I would love to do a theme next year!!!

Another thing I wanted to share is a quick, powerful grief activity. I love this activity because if you have strips of scrap paper readily available...you are ready to go. Basically, students can either write the events of what happened when they found out and their feelings or they can write memories about that person.  I always gauge it by the student and what they are wanting to do.

They can write, draw, or both...whatever works best for their age. I have middle schoolers that like to do both. They can keep the chain or we can get rid of it. One student I had wanted to keep it as a treasured memory and the other wanted to cut it up. Whatever works for the kiddo.

I am also so super excited because my BFF made me a counselor banner for my office. I love it and I just had to show it! I love how she used tulle!!!

I have been so busy getting back into figuring out transition. I created a video for students to watch to go over transition on POWTOON.com which is awesome! It makes videos out of a slideshow type program. You can add your voice, pictures, animations, and text. Super cool! Part of the activity was for students to write any questions on note cards. So I tried to hand write answers to the kiddos. They loved it and one told me they didn't think I would read it so it is definitely something I will continue next year. I just took some home and did some while waiting on things. They did great and had some really good questions!

I was trying to cover up their name.

Before I go, here is a Stylish Spotlight. This leopard scarf will make any school counselor look stylish! It's lightweight and only $18 at Nordstrom. You can get it online here!

Here's what is coming up on the blog

I hope you all have a wonderful School Counseling Week and that you know how valuable you are at your campus and to your students! Hope to see you all on Instagram!!!

National School Counselor's Week 2015

It's that time of year to celebrate all that you do. This is also a great time of year to advocate your school counseling program. Below are a list of ideas that you can use this week:

-School Announcements
Last year, I used ASCA's announcements. This year's resources are listed here.

-Certificates for Staff
As a teacher, I loved getting certificates to add to my portfolio. This is a great way to thank them for all that they do to support your campus program. Below you can find my freebie in my TPT store. I tried to keep it as generic as possible so that you can use it at any campus. There are two signature spots. If you're the only counselor on campus, you may sign it along with your administrator. If you have 2 counselors, there is room for both of you and if you have multiple counselors, you could possibly divide up staff and pair up and sign! You can get your freebie HERE!

-Cupcakes and Counselors
Have cupcakes set up somewhere on campus along with counseling information for the staff to come pick up on breaks.I have done this before at the elementary level and called it Donuts and Data. I had donuts set up along with brochures I had made with data on our school counseling program (ex. number of guidance lessons to date, number of students seen individually broken up by reason, number of small group sessions done, etc). What better way for your staff to see how amazing your program is????

-Proclamation
Want to make it official? Have a proclamation done in honor of School Counseling Week!

Check out other great resources from ASCA HERE!

I hope you all have an amazing School Counseling Week and that your school celebrates how amazing and hard working you are....from the bottom of my heart.....

Happy School Counseling Week!!!!

I hope you are all having a wondeful School Counseling Week. I would have loved to do more at my campus but it has been a bit busy, as I am sure you all understand!!

I have been using ASCA's great ideas and resources that you can find here: http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=271
I have l.o.v.e.d. the morning announcements!!!
I also created a colorful version of ASCA's certificate to give to staff members. They were so excited and as I was walking through classrooms today, I already saw them proudly displayed!

You can find your own copy here that you can edit according to your campus for free:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Counselors-Week-Certificate-for-Staff

As I posted on my facebook page, our computer sadly died. : ( I am so sad and a lot of my clip art, fonts, and cutesy borders and counseling games I created were on there. But I am back at getting all those stinkin' things back on my laptop. I was so old school and loved using our desktop computer but back to the laptop I go. I will be posting some lessons and activities for test taking/strategies for grades 3-5 and good work habits for k-2.

I hope you all have a great week and know that you make a difference!! As counselors we may not get as much recognition or praise but we have to advocate for ourselves and programs. So...know that you are an integral part of your campus and your kiddos' lives!!

Counselor Spotlight: Vantasia

This week has been so super busy, well the last two week.s It has been full of super late nights at work, too much Starbucks, nights of dancing away to Usher and 80's music with my co-counselor who I swear has to be my non-asian sister from another mother...haha!!! Today was so worth it when kids seemed happy and our amazing teachers seemed happy!!! I swear those kids and teachers make it all worth it!!!

Here is a glimpse of my past weeks in the counseling world!!!

Our leadership team doing some team building!

Love this girl!!!!

My little guy started First Grade today...tear!

First Grade and Pre-K!!!

The day I was so delirious....I told everyone it was a Friday....on a Thursday!

Celebrating our amazing principal's birthday!

Trying to be cute at counselor staff development

We made a pro/con list on whether we should eat out or stay in....guess which won?

convocation....so pumped after hearing an awesome speaker

A sweet gesture from Mama Meyers, our 7th grade registrar, it's like having a mom at school! Love her!

Sweet friends and teachers making me feel special!!!

So, that is a little of what has been in my world. Today, I have an EXCITING GUEST post by Vantasia Owens. She is a fashionista, absolutely gorgeous, and has such amazing motivation. She is a school counseling student and is the type of counselor any school would be so blessed to have. She is passionate y'all about counseling. I swear we should be besties because she loves counseling AND fashion. Here's a little info on my new friend......Vantasia!

What school do you attend, what is your classification, and what is your major?

I am currently attending The University of Southern Mississippi where I am a sophomore, Psychology major.

What are your thoughts about fashion?

My thoughts on fashion? I have so many! Fashion is fun, unique, and effortless; it’s YOU! To me I get to express myself through the things that I wear, from accessories, hairstyles, makeup, etc! It’s not just the clothes that you wear or the prices on them. It’s all about how you wear the merchandise! And with a job well done you can inspire others also from a great appearance. The way you present yourself is everything! I always like to keep this quote in my head, “Be your own kind of beautiful.” Define your own style and rock what you love with confidence!

What led you on the path to become a School Counselor?

I knew I wanted to attend college and do something that I loved and was passionate about. Nursing, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Occupational therapy, and so many others were an option for me. I just knew helping people was for me. Friends, family, even strangers would always come to me for advice and I was always there and I enjoyed being there. I started to realize that I am a nurturer, a lover, I’m not judgmental, and I keep secrets. So many wonderful characteristics of a counselor, mentor, and advocate.  My senior year of high school I was given the opportunity to work in the guidance office at my high school and I fell in love, I was able to help the counselors and even a select few students.  My counselor was the best and our relationship was phenomenal, he helped me through a lot my senior year. I’m sure he would’ve been a great help the other three years of my high school career but we never think to actually go to the school counselor. You know?  But that’s one of my goals to actually get students to visit my office, not even when things are going wrong!

What are your career goals as a School Counselor?

I would like to start off as an elementary school counselor and work my way up just so that I can get a taste of all school levels. I know that there are many different circumstances and school counselor duties differ a lot from elementary, middle, and high schools. However, the ultimate goal is still the same for all. I want to build a relationship with each and every one of my students and really impact their lives; I want them to never forget Ms. Owens. I want to help them to be the best that they can be both academically and socially. Working in the guidance office my senior year of high school  I was able to see things that I wanted to change so becoming a school counselor would allow me to be that change that I wish to see. School Counselors are underestimated and I want to be that difference even if we never get the credit that we deserve. I’m all for positivity and empowerment so it would be nice to someday create something where all School Counselors can connect and come together outside of the National School Counselor Association. Hopefully my commitment and determination can lead me into becoming an administrator or school principal someday.

What would be your advice to other college students going into the education/counseling industry?

Passion over everything! Go hard for what you love and believe in. Never give up.  People will always try to kill your dreams and visions, don’t let them. Always remember money is not the main factor it is only the goal, it will come. It’s levels to success!!

 Have a question for Vantasia? Contact her at the info below:

Email: vantasiaowens@yahoo.com or vantasia.owens@eagles.usm.edu

Thanks, Vantasia, for your post and your pictures. You are an absolute gorgeous girl inside and out and we wish you the best of luck as your further your studies!! 

And let me tell you about the Instagram challenge I will have going on this Friday. Take any type of beginning of the year pic. It could be you at your desk, a picture of a bulletin board....anything and write what your goal is this year. You can put @melroseacker to tag me and use the hashtag #counselorsbacktoschool and #stylishschoolcounselor. Can't wait to see your pictures!!!