I’m baaaaaack! I don’t know what my problem is. It’s not like I’ve had FOUR months of down time to blog and chose to do no such thing! I am recommitting to blogging and posting once a week or more if I’m inspired (but don’t count on more). Anyway, I was recently contacted by a high school science teacher who is in a master’s program to become a school counselor. She came to Schorr in February to observe a day in the life of an elementary school counselor. She brought me Starbucks as a thank you, so of course I instantly loved her! We have since kept in touch via email. She emailed me last week and asked if I would be willing to help her out. She said she had an interview assignment due and reached out to the counselors at her school for help, but with all the CO-VID craziness, they were not getting back to her. I said of course and she emailed me the list of questions. As I filled it out, it got me thinking about this upcoming school year and how different it is really going to be. Here is the questionnaire and my answers:
1) If a counselor wants to present a lesson on your campus, what steps should they take to be able to get into a classroom?
If a counselor wants to present a lesson on your campus, they should first reach out to the administrator. Then, they should reach out to the teacher of the class they would like to join and schedule a time that works best for everyone involved, including the students.
2) What challenges may a counselor come across when delivering a lesson to students during the school day?
The position of the counselor is unique because they can be called out to an emergency at any time. This may interrupt a classroom lesson. Another challenge that a counselor can incur (usually with younger students) is the over sharing of personal details. This can be avoided by giving a disclaimer up front. Telling students that if they have something private to tell you, they can write it down or go back to your office with you.
3) Does your administration require any type of parent communication to take place when a counselor teaches a social/emotional lesson in a classroom?
My administration does not require any type of parent communication when a counselor does a lesson, however, a note is always sent home with students letting parents know what topic/skill was discussed and ways to implement at home.
4) What is included in your district’s evaluation of a counselor? If the administration were to walk into a lesson, what sorts of things would they expect to see in the lesson?
Counselors have standards just like teachers. They have to abide by the ASCA mindsets and behaviors and include them in each lesson. The administration would look for a lesson plan and the mindsets or behaviors that are attached to the specific lesson.
5) Are there any topics that may be too controversial to teach in a classroom?
Absolutely! Especially in this day and age. I tend to steer clear of controversial topics (racism, gender, abuse, anything to do with sex/puberty) in classroom settings, but I address them in small group counseling and individual counseling sessions as they arise.
6) What percentage of your day is dedicated to direct services? How about indirect services?
About 80% of each day is direct services (with students/families). The other 20% is indirect (breakfast and lunch duty, phone calls, emails)
7) How do you screen students that will be part of group counseling and how can teachers refer them to you?
I send out a screener to teachers during the third or fourth week of school after they have gotten to know their students. Teachers can refer students for groups. I also have counseling groups listed in the front office for parents to see. They can sign their child up as well. At open house, I sit outside my office and speak to parents and encourage them to enroll their child if needed.
8) How would you keep track of the efficacy of interventions (such as groups)?
I keep track of efficacy of my groups by observation and note taking. I also have the teacher, parent and student fill out a post group survey letting me know what worked and what didn’t.
9) What are the most challenging aspects of working alongside teachers? What are the most rewarding?
The teacher’s schedule will forever be challenging! Being in the classroom and teaching is the most rewarding. I am still able to scratch my itch to teach and am in the position to be able to dig deeper and help more kids than when I was a classroom teacher. It truly is the best of both worlds!
10) What are you most worried about for the upcoming school year in regard to online learning? Do you have an initial plan on how you will service students in the beginning of the year?
I am worried about the social needs that will not be met via distance learning. There is something magical that happens inside a school building that cannot be replicated on a computer screen or tablet. I am in the process of setting up a Canvas office and allowing all students and parents to have access. I also plan to include virtual counseling groups and individual counseling as well. In addition to this, I plan to keep tabs on my underprivileged students and make sure they have the same access to food and resources as they did when they were physically in school.
Bottom line: This year is going to be different. One that teachers, students and parents will never forget. Am I happy about it? No! This will be my daughter’s senior year of high school. I would give anything for her to be going into ANY other grade but that is not the case. She is extremely upset (rightfully so) and watching my reaction. I am calm for her (while freaking out and massively ugly crying on the inside) because that’s what she needs right now and for at least the first semester of school. I am helping her friend group plan their own senior sunrise, Homecoming activities and other senior events that WILL NOT be missed due to distance learning! We are also designing the flag football parent sweatshirts because by God, she WILL play (and hopefully get offered a scholarship). If you are a parent, please feel free to be pissed off on the inside but put on a smile (fake is fine) for your kids and their teachers! I’m not mad at the school district or the superintendent or the governor or even the president! I’m mad about the situation. I’m mad at the coronavirus. But being mad isn’t going to make this go away! It’s time to deal with what we’ve got and make the best of it. If you have young kids, let them FaceTime their friends for a play date. They would be excited to show off their room and house and pets! If you have older kids, let them be teenagers with some limitations (stricter curfew, stricter cleaning/hygiene habits…). I am trying to be proactive and ordered my daughter a Chromebook through our cell phone provider (Verizon) so we don’t have to share the home computer. She will also be able to take her Chromebook to friends houses to work on school work/projects etc. How are you preparing for the upcoming school year as a teacher, parent, or student? I would love to know!