A Loss For Words

In my previous entry as I was anticipating the start of a new school year I asked that God help me be his hands, feet and heart this year. So far, He has not let me down! As I thought about what my first entry of the school year would be, I struggled with my thoughts. I want my journal entries to reflect the job of a school counselor, but I don't want the reader to misunderstand what I am trying to say. I don't want specific examples of students and their situations to be a generalization of the entire school population.

It has been a very emotionally draining start to the school year, probably the most in my 15 years as a school counselor. Usually this sort of emotional drain starts more like January or February, but the onset has been early this year. Indicative of the rest of the school year? I have no idea.

Let me summarize some of what has happened in the first two weeks without being too specific. A student whose brother died over the summer comes for a daily check in, to make sure someone is there for her, a student is awaiting her mom's last breath from a terrible bout of cancer, a couple of students have had some things happen in their lives for which I had to make a CPS report, some parents have come in to meet with me about their children's medical issues for which they are concerned and want to make sure their children have the proper school support, a student's relative is found dead not too long after returning from service in Iraq, a student's parent has a life threatening surgery the first day of school.

I could probably go on if I sit here long enough to think about it. I wouldn't trade this job for anything right now, because I sense that I have a lot to learn this year, and hopefully God will give me the strength to give each child or family whatever it is that I am able to give.

Don't forget there are a lot of good students who do great things, and I will be sure to have some postings about them this year, so keep reading!

Goals 2010-2011

It's always good to have goals at the start of a new school year. It's sort of like New Years' resolutions in August. I love being a school counselor, but I am always trying to think of ways to be a BETTER school counselor.

Last year I had a goal of trying to reach out to some of the boys in my grade so that I could try to build a positive relationship with them through the next 3 years. I know that it is very hard sometimes for females to gain the respect and trust of at risk boys, but I always aim to try, if you know what I mean. Who can blame them for not wanting to trust a "counselor." I mean, it's so embarrassing to get the "blue pass" from the counselor! Since I know this about boys (and girls), I also make it a goal every year to make the first visit with me a sort of fun, get to know me/you visit. I have lots of fun things in my office and I try to work on building that relationship right away, so that they know I am trying to understand them and will trust me more when they get into BIG trouble at school.

Back to my goal of reaching these at risk boys. I sort of made that goal last school year. I was very frustrated at times because I had many 6th grade boys get into trouble and end the year on behavior plans. Most of those boys spent a good deal of time with me, as I tried to build that relationship while also showing them videos and discussing proper behavior, and anger management, and study skills. Sooo, my challenge is going to be to build on that goal this year~ to seek a new way of talking through issues and getting the boys to understand that the best time to make changes in attitudes and behavior is now, and that whatever they do now can affect their future in high school, both the good aspects and the bad.

I'm sure I will not be disappointed this year. I always try to take the time each year to ask God (at least once!) to bring kids and parents to my office who need a touch of His love.

Summary of goals: to love the kids more, and to help them move towards positive behavior changes in their lives.