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Category: Working with Students

My School Counselor Decision-Making Process

My School Counselor Decision-Making Process

As a school counselor–as with many other jobs–hundreds of decisions are typically made in each workday. Big decisions; little decisions; largely inconsequential decisions; and consequential decisions–and everything in-between. How can a school counselor approach the decision-making process? In this article I will talk about the approach that I like to take for myself, offering some tips and things to think about, along the way. When it comes to making decisions, I like to funnel things through four different categories: What’s…

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Book Review: I Wish for Change: Unleashing the Power of Kids to Make a Difference

Book Review: I Wish for Change: Unleashing the Power of Kids to Make a Difference

I cannot seem to remember the last time that I actually wrote a book review. Was it middle school? Elementary school? However long ago that it was, here I am again: Deciding to dust-off my book review skills for the first time since kids still rocked snap bracelets; fanny packs (back in fashion now, I may add) and ate Dunkaroos after school. I really did not set out to write a book review this month, to be honest, but by…

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My Belief Statements and Own Original Quote

My Belief Statements and Own Original Quote

10 Belief Statements:  I Believe…. 1. I believe that the work I do everyday matters (and is important). 2. I believe that my students push–and inspire–me to be a better version of myself each and every day. 3. I believe in never putting a damper on a student’s dream–no matter how large or small. 4. I believe that labels are limiting and students own the right to change, grow, and evolve as they see fit. 5. I believe in fostering–and…

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Tapping-Into the Power of Thank-You Notes

Tapping-Into the Power of Thank-You Notes

In today’s digital age, anything hand-written on paper almost seems like a nod to times long past; an ancient relic of a previous era and time. To be sure, today’s technologies have ushered in many small and larger conveniences for people gradually over time, but maybe that makes a tangible note of thanks and gratitude all that much more potentially-impactful. With that, let’s take a look at ten reasons why thank-you notes should be an often-used resource in your toolbox–and…

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Fifteen Tips for New(er) Counselors: How to Jump-Start Your Career and Maximize Your Impact From the Start

Fifteen Tips for New(er) Counselors: How to Jump-Start Your Career and Maximize Your Impact From the Start

As a brand-new counselor, the so-called learning curve can often be steep—I know it was for me. Many days can leave a new counselor wondering when they will ever get the full hang of this job; if they are truly being effective for their students; or even if they have chosen the right profession, altogether. Doubt; feelings of inadequacy; and imposter syndrome tendencies can often rear their ugly heads on a seemingly daily basis, so it’s important to know what…

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Freshmen Transitions: Helping School Counselors Maximize Their Effectiveness When Working With New Students

Freshmen Transitions: Helping School Counselors Maximize Their Effectiveness When Working With New Students

One of the most important—and often hardest—transitions in school for students is the 8th Grade to 9th Grade (or middle school to high school) transition. Suddenly, students find themselves going from being at the highest end of the social hierarchy order in their middle school buildings to quickly having to adjust to being at the lowest end of the hierarchy order in a brand new, and often larger-sized, building. These students also find themselves, simultaneously, having to adjust to a…

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