September 19, 2019
Easy Ways to Make Individual Student Connections
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 […]
Continue reading September 3, 2019
The School Counselor’s Role in Restorative Practices
Restorative practices are sweeping the education world and for very good reason. This approach to discipline focuses on repairing/restoring the hurt that has happened – instead of on punishing the wrong doing. I’m lucky to have worked in a school district that was an early adopter of some of these ideas. That doesn’t mean that […]
Continue reading August 18, 2019
Creating Mindful Practices with Your Whole School
We’ve all seen the research and know that mindfulness has a whole host of benefits for health and schools. So this raises the question: how can we create a schoolwide culture that values mindfulness? As with any culture shifts, all-staff buy-in and routines are key! Keep reading to find out more about how you can […]
Continue reading November 26, 2018
- by Counselor Up
Supporting Staff as a School Counselor
Has your school experienced loss, been effected by natural disasters, or had a particularly stressful year? If so, you know the feeling of seeing your staff overwhelmed by stress. What can you do to help? Take Care of Yourself First, put your own oxygen mask on before assisting others. Assess the stressor that is happening […]
Continue reading November 12, 2018
Creating a Calm School Culture with Peace Week
After reading Peace Week in Mrs. Fox’s Class to a group of second graders, it got me thinking and what would happen if I tried to implement a peace week of my own at my school. We’ve created a culture of kindness for our students, why not create a culture of calm? I built a […]
Continue reading September 7, 2018
School Counselors, Do You Lead Student Clubs?
Student clubs can be an excellent way to connect with students, expand your school counseling program, and address a school wide need. What clubs have you organized or led?Peer LeadersWhen I was working in a grades 7-8 school, I co-led a Peer Leaders club. We trained students to be positive influences on their peers, stand […]
Continue reading August 29, 2018
How do you introduce the school counselor role?
When school counselors start the year, a lot of misconceptions can exist about their role. Our role has evolved greatly over time. Everyone has an idea of what the school counselor does, and it is so often wrong. Check out these tips for establishing clear communication about your role, changing expectations, and connecting with students […]
Continue reading August 27, 2018
Create a Culture of Kindness at School
Create a culture of kindness at school to help support student’s social, emotional and academic growth. When students are in a positive, kind, encouraging environment, they are more likely to have the confidence to try new things and take academic risks. Creating a culture of kindness will make your school a better place for both […]
Continue reading July 11, 2018
How to Help New Students Make a Smooth Transition
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 […]
Continue reading June 4, 2018
How Do You Collaborate with Specialists?
Collaborating with specialists, such as speech and language pathologists, can help you maximize a student’s progress. When everyone working with a student is on the same page, you have the opportunity to reinforce and practice skills in different settings and with different people. Some schools have regular meetings, some make a point to stop by […]
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