April 18, 2022
Responding to Challenging and Disruptive Behavior
Every year there are students with challenging behaviors that disrupt, well, everything. Daily crises take over your schedule and they seem unresponsive to intervention plans. Teachers and staff are exhausted. The calls to “do something” (aka discipline) grow louder. I’m guessing if you landed on this post you are looking for more than another sticker […]
Continue reading July 31, 2019
8 Healthy Friendship Qualities to Teach Students
Cultivating healthy friendships amongst students is crucial for a positive learning environment. When students know the difference between healthy and unhealthy behaviors, they are able to modify their behavior. Encourage them to look inward as you review the qualities of a healthy friendship. Let’s take a look at 8 healthy friendship qualities that you can […]
Continue reading March 26, 2019
Fidgets are Tools, Not Toys
After fidget spinners came on the scene, teachers began banning self-regulation tools from the classroom. Students misused them and teachers weren’t prepared for them. These tools get a bad rap when not used properly. Without clear usage rules, they can be a disaster and a distraction. With an effective management plan, using fidget tools in […]
Continue reading March 10, 2019
Teaching Expected and Unexpected Behaviors
Although our work as school counselors can be very rewarding, it can also be frustrating! One of the things I have always found most frustrating is working with children who don’t seem to care at all about how their behavior affects others. They just don’t seem to realize that their behavior can have such a […]
Continue reading November 20, 2017
Tales, Fibs, and Lies: Working with Students Who Lie
Tall tales, little fibs, or flat out lies: how do you work with students who stretch the truth? While some adults might be inclined to tackle lying head on with confrontation, confident counselors know these situations may require more delicate footing. Let’s take a look at a few things to consider when faced with lying […]
Continue reading November 17, 2017
Conversations: How Do You Make Restorative Justice Meaningful and Effective?
Restorative justice is the kind of approach that school counselors should be advocating for in their districts. When implemented well, it has the ability to shift the focus from punishment to repairing and learning from mistakes. How do you get your administrators and teachers on board with this paradigm shift? Even more important, how do […]
Continue reading November 13, 2017
Self Control Strategies for the Classroom
As a school counselor, teachers frequently come to me for advice on classroom management. Almost always, they are looking for self control strategies for students struggling in their classrooms. They have students in their classes that are blurting out, having anger outbursts, or constantly getting out of their seats. I also have had these same […]
Continue reading November 1, 2017
- by Mental Fills
Strategies for Managing Negative Attention Seeking
STOP, DROP, ROLL and CONNECT I want to share a few helpful strategies I have found useful in managing negative attention seeking children. These are the children that push our buttons. They do what they can to sabotage yours or the group’s focus, and it’s frustrating. I am talking about the kids that whine, tattle tell, […]
Continue reading October 20, 2017
Conversations: Tips and Tricks for Behavior Plans
What are your tips and tricks for behavior plans? Data Driven Behavior Plans Behavior plans should be developed with a team who knows the students best (e.g., school staff, parents, and even the student!). The first step to an effective behavior plan is a thorough Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). This determines the antecedents, target […]
Continue reading October 2, 2017
Make Your Student Observations Comprehensive
As a school psychologist, student observations were regularly a part of my day. For special education evaluations, I observed students in multiple settings with multiple adults doing multiple tasks. I came to know that student in depth and felt ready to suggest supports that could make a difference. I soon realized that these student […]
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