Getting ready for school to start

So I have officially started my first job at as a middle school counselor! Besides being terribly excited, I am incredibly thankful for the welcome I have received thus far. On my first official day, I was greeted by a great welcome sign from the ASB and a hot Starbucks from one of the secretaries. After learning how to schedule students in a new system, I learned I will have an iPad. Besides being able to pop around the office and build the counselor/admin relationship, I was also able to meet with the Leadership class and was completely reminded why Middle School Students are the actual best. These students reaffirmed that this will be a great year for all of us to learn and grow.

Now that the thoughts on my first day are out of the way, here are some of my new office signs (unfortunately my contact information is incorrect - I just didn't want to reload the images after I had uploaded these versions):

<- Inspired by a post I saw at another post I saw as an introduction letter. The flyer layout should work for when I am at a staff development while our returning students take care of what they need. Being new to a school where there has been some counseling transition, I wanted to lay out what I planned on offering. Now it is time to live up to it!

-> I also wanted something that I could hand out or leave at my office so that others could contact me. Both of these were made via canva.com

<- My confidentiality sign for my office. I wanted something simple but clear for not only my students but also the staff and parents who will come to see me.

I'm Back!

I apologize for the hiatus. Since I last posted, I completed my graduate program, finalized my certification with the state and got a job!

So naturally, after all of that happened, I took the summer off. But even when taking it off, I was able to meet with a trainer for the Check and Connect program. Started from the U of M, Check and Connect is an engagement intervention aimed at reducing student drop out by creating a weekly connection opportunity for students who need additional support. 

While  most of our conversation seemed like common sense, I realized that the simplicity of having someone to connect with to build protective factors seems simple because that is what counselors pride themselves on. However, this program, based in research and implementation with fidelity, provides a great way to build the knowledge that required two years of training for school counselors. Since this program needs to be voluntary, the buy in has to be there. Luckily the research is already started!

Even though I am not planning on implementing this program my first year as a professional, it will definitely be something I keep in mind as I continue to practice!