Getting to know students can be overwhelming at the start of a new school year. You may have a large caseload or may be the only counselor at your school. How can you make individual student connections when this is your situation? Use Duty Assignments to Make Student Connections If you have an assigned duty […]
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Middle school students are my favorite! All that energy and enthusiasm. They are like sponges, just soaking up new ideas and wanting to know more! According to recent research, middle school is the prime time to promote college and career readiness. Getting students to envision their lives five or ten years down the road is […]
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I’m always excited, yet nervous, for a new school year to begin. Setting goals for your school counseling program demonstrates accountability and provides focus. Every year is different. Needs change. In the same way, your school counseling program goals should reflect these changing needs. But, how do you decide what your goals should be? Data drives […]
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Have you ever been the new kid? I had to change schools in fifth grade due to school zoning changes, leaving all my friends and the only school I had ever attended. As a result, I can recall the uncertainty I had about starting over with strangers in an unfamiliar place. As school counselors, we […]
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Moving from elementary school to middle school has its challenges. It can be scary and super exciting at the same time! The School Counselor’s role is vital in providing a positive middle school transition for students and parents. Partner with admin, fellow counseling staff, elementary level staff, and students to develop a comprehensive transition plan with […]
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School counselors use peer mentoring in a variety of ways. It is a little scary to think about students mentoring other students around the same age. However, students are likely to share concerns or problems with peers than their parents or other adults at school. To ease your reluctance to use peer mentoring, read ASCA’s […]
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Kids get excited about discussing future plans. Talking about what they want to be is very motivating and helps students see real world connections. If you’re like me, there are so many career development resources available, it can be overwhelming. I want to engage students in career development activities that are fun, interactive, and purposeful. […]
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Mix it Up at Lunch Day challenges students to get out of their comfort zone and engage with others, helping to create a more inclusive school. Begun by the organization, Teaching Tolerance, it is held on the last Tuesday of October. Students sit in a different seat in the cafeteria and interact with peers during […]
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