Why I became a School Counselor Part 1

School counselor was not my first career choice. I was a teacher before I was a school counselor.  I had all the signs of being a teacher since I was a child. I was bossy, loved to color and loved to talk!  I still do!  Of course, as I learned what it really meant to be a teacher I was sure that this profession was for me.  I loved learning and just wanted to share that with youth. 

I attended a California public college, which is now one of the top colleges in California, and decided that I did not need a fancy name college to become a teacher.  At first, like many teenagers in their first year of college, I had no clue what to major in.  I loved English literature, which is why I wanted to be a teacher, so that is what I majored in.  WRONG!  I found out, in order to become a high school English teacher, I was to major in English Education and choose an option.  I chose Literature. 

Getting the credential

The next step after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree is to get something called a Single Subject Credential.  I could teach grades 6-12^th with this credential.  Perfect!  At the college I attended, the credential program was not a part of the Bachelor’s degree/program.  It was a post-baccalaureate degree.  That meant that I had to re- apply to the university and the credential program after I earned my degree. The process to obtain the credential took a year and a half.  The first year was classes and the last semester was student teaching. 

Student teaching

I wanted to student teach in an area that I was familiar with.  It was in a city I went to high school.  It was a semester long assignment and was during the spring semester.  I heard stories about how dreadful starting in the middle of the year was but I did not buy into that.  My student teacher supervisor asked me to choose three high schools I was interested in and he would set up everything for me.  Love this!  I ended up at my ideal school, with three master teachers.  Yep, you read that right!  I loved all of my master teachers and had a wonderful student teaching experience.  I taught 2 sections of English 9 and 1 section of an elective English course of 11^th and 12^th graders. 

Getting the official credential

I turned in all of the appropriate paperwork to my credential office at the college and applied with the CCTC.  During this time I interviewed with three school districts and was offered a job right away. 

Teaching

My first teaching assignment was English 9 and 9^th grade AVID.  I loved it. This was the perfect career for me!  In November the 12^th grade English teacher left unexpectedly and I became the 12^th grade English teacher. Thank you student teaching! I love teaching freshmen but seniors were even more fun.  They were a tough crowd but they made my job amazing and I learned so much.  They welcomed me and I was able to teach works of literature that I loved and wanted to share.  Remember, that 11/12^th grade elective English course?  I used a lot of that material to design my lessons for the seniors.  I incorporated a lot of the writing lessons I learned in my credential program in my teaching because I knew how much these seniors would write in college.  

My work with teenagers and personal experiences led me to the next step in my career… Stay tuned!

Why did you become a school counselor? Why do you want to become a school counselor? 

School's Out...Now What?

School was out a couple of weeks ago for the teachers and students. The counselors get to stay an extra two weeks and two days.  I always ask why?  Why do we have to have an 11-month contract? I am not complaining about the extra month of pay, but I like the time off. Rather than writing a whole post complaining about the reasoning (is there any?) behind this decision, I want to share how I spend this time.

Day 1: This was the first day back to work after graduation and the last day of school. I am reminded that I get to stay an extra two weeks and two days while my colleagues are at home sleeping in.  I had no transcripts to review so I began cleaning my desk and office.

Day 2: Continued cleaning my desk and the office.  I cleared out binders that were two years old and shredded transcripts.

Day 3: Continued cleaning my desk and office.  The transcripts were not ready.  I made sure that my students were enrolled in summer school. Although I made this list already, I like to double-check it.

Day 4: Continued cleaning my desk and office.  I shredded so many transcripts. I have cleaned out so much but my desk is still a mess. Has this ever happened to you? I did final touches to Grad Nite! Transcripts are ready!

Day 5: Disneyland Grad Nite. I was a zombie the entire weekend because it takes me at least two days to recover from a trip to Disneyland.  I did not party like it was 1999.  Can it be 1999? Just kidding.

Day 6: We had a long department meeting with the principal to discuss the strengths and growth areas for our department. We made a list of things we are working on until June 30^th and things we want to prepare for the next year.  The list is long!

Day 7: That is today! It took me all day to review transcripts for about 60 students. I still have to review 157 transcripts. 

Day 8: We will have a follow up meeting with the principal to discuss next steps.  We will be discussing protocols, at-risk students, student activities distribution, clean and organize, and crisis intervention.  I need to connect with the Resource teacher to discuss some of the students on my caseload.

Day 9: I get to review transcripts. I may take a break and clean and organize some more.

Day 10: I will continue to review transcripts and work on my timeline for the juniors.

Day 11:  We will have another meeting with our principal to discuss the next steps and see where we are at with them. 

Day 12: We are having an end of the year counseling department meeting to discuss any items we did not get to after the meetings we already had. 

The counselors return at the end of July for professional development meetings.  We have meetings for a week until the students return to school.  I enjoy taking a week to plan and organize for the new school year and I am looking forward to some rest. 

What do you do to plan for the next school year? If you work 10 months, when do you have time to plan for the next year? I am always so curious to know what other counselors do to prepare for the next year.

The College Decision

College Decision Bulletin Board 

It felt like yesterday when I was talking to the seniors about their college plans.  At the start of the school year I meet with my caseload of seniors to discuss their college plans.  Some items we discuss are, CSU/UC GPA, test scores, re taking the SAT/ACT, personal statement and some refreshers about letters of recommendation and other college choices. 

During the entire year the senior counselors, guide and assist students throughout the college and financial aid process.   In addition, we are helping our students choose a college to attend in the fall.  This conversation can be very easy or very difficult.  It is easy because everything lines up-the student is excited, financial is good and parents are supportive. It can be a difficult decision because the college acceptances are not where the student wants to attend, the financial aid is not good and/or the parents do not want to let their baby go.  I understand all of this and this is definitely a process.

In May, students must make a college decision. To celebrate this the counselors, with the help of our service students put up a board in the 1^st floor hallway.  The theme this is “To Infinity and Beyond.”  The colleges were represented and the students attending were represented by a space ship. 

I am so proud of our Class of 2015.  They have been a joy to work with throughout the highs and the lows.  I will remember each of them. 

Here is a picture of the finished bulletin board. 

Self-Care

We are at the end of the school year and I am writing about self-care.  Everyday that I am at work and even when the day is done, I think about others feelings and well being before my own.  This is my job and it is what I love to do.  However, I forget about my own needs and here I am sick again.  Instead of wallow in my own sickness-this is the 4^th time I’ve been sick this year-I want to remind you that is okay to take care of yourself.  Remember, to get that extra hour of sleep, take vitamins, exercise, eat healthy and enjoy something that is just for you.  Every year I promise myself I am going to do all of these things and this just might be the year.  I do not like being away from my office and students.  I have to be honest with myself and I do have asthma so I need to stay home and rest.  I can be more preventative and take care of myself.  I am making a trip to get those vitamins!

Red Ribbon Week 2014

This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme was “Love Yourself. Be Drug Free.”  Each year, we have Red Ribbon Week the week of the annual college fair.  Each day had a theme along with Advisory competitions. 

Theme Days

Day 1 Red Out Drugs! Wear Red Accessories. Pledge Day. 

Day 2 Band Together Against Drugs. Wear favorite music band t shirt.

Day 3 College Day.  College Fair.

Day 4 Titans Say No to Drugs! Wear school gear.

Day 5 Scare Away Drugs. Crazy Hair Day. 

Advisory classes were able to win points for each day. The winning Advisory will receive a prize, which is still in the works. 

Door Decorating Contest

The door decorating contest is an annual tradition.  I had 4 categories this year: Most Creative, Interesting Content, Best use of a Halloween or Fall theme, and Overall. The administrators judged the doors. 

Red Ribbon Week Pledge

I like to come up with something each year for students and staff to write their drug free pledge.  Since this year’s theme was “Love Yourself. Be Drug Free” I created a heart, and had each student write his/her name, grade level, Advisory teacher and what he/she loved most about himself/herself.  Last year’s theme was college so the students’ pledge was a pennant. 

Drug Awareness Facts

I used the Daily Bulletin to insert a fact each day about statistics and teenagers. 

Workshop for students

A guest speaker presented to the students after school on Friday to close Red Ribbon Week.  It is an organization called Fresh Start and they coordinate the presentation for our students and they also present to parents. 

In the midst of college applications, planning a college fair and planning Red Ribbon Week I forgot to take pictures of the signs the students created for each day and some examples of the doors.  I promise the doors were outstanding. 

If you’re looking to coordinate a Red Ribbon Week next year, let me know.  I have my forms created and I’d be happy to share.  At the same time, I am looking for new, fresh ideas for next year and a way to get the entire school excited.