Small group counseling is a dynamic and impactful way of working with students. It allows for more personalized attention than large group sessions while fostering a sense of community and shared learning among participants. However, running a small group effectively can have its challenges. Let’s explore some common issues in small group counseling and provide practical tips and tricks to ensure your sessions are both successful and enjoyable. Common Issues in Small Group Counseling: Varied Dynamics: Every group is unique, and managing different personalities and behaviors can be challenging ..read more

I didn’t know very much about silent redirection strategies that could be used during classroom counseling lessons when I first started counseling.   I was at a seminar, and the person sitting next to me kept sharing their opinions with me while the speaker was presenting. After quite a few minutes of her whispering, while the presenter was talking, the presenter put an upside-down piece of paper on the table in front of her.   She turned it over, and it read, “Is what you are doing right now helping you learn this information?” She didn’t say another word.    As a School ..read more

I really like getting our littlest of students to realize they are part of something bigger than themselves. I like when it clicks for them that it isn’t all about them as an individual and that what they do can affect the great majority. They have the power to connect with and either help or hurt their fellow classmates. That’s a big concept for a five-year-old to understand! Letting them know that they are part of a team and have responsibilities they must uphold as a responsible team member is really rewarding to me. To help the students understand that they are all connected and that wh ..read more

Tier one attendance interventions are on my mind as the school year approaches. As the academic year begins, educators and school counselors unite to increase attendance rates among students. We know the importance of attendance; consistent school attendance fuels academic triumph and lays the cornerstone for a positive educational journey and a lifelong love for learning. To help with this mission, let’s delve into nine tier one attendance interventions – proactive strategies that counselors can institute school-wide to cultivate wholesome attendance habits from the outset. Tier One Atten ..read more

Without being taught friendship skills and the needed SEL skills for friendship, it can be really tough for a child to have the confidence to try to make a new friend. Many children are unsure about themselves and could benefit from friendship lesson plans. Some children are without friends simply because they lack the social skills to approach friendship. To help tackle that issue, I designed this interactive book all about friendship and the related SEL skills to help students learn how to make new friends in a stress-free manner. Breaking the skills apart and learning how to approach friend ..read more

It’s that time of year again – the hallways are freshly waxed, the backpacks are loaded with supplies, and the excitement in the air is palpable. Back-to-school season is here, and as a school counselor, you’re gearing up to make this year the best one yet! But where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here’s a guide to help you kick off the school year with a bang and set the stage for an incredible year of growth and success. 1. Building Relationships Like a Pro Building connections is your superpower, and now’s the time to unleash it! Forge positive relationships with students, st ..read more

Starting the school year on the right foot is essential, especially when it comes to building relationships with our youngest learners. One creative way to achieve this is through a “Meet the Counselor” lesson, and what better companion than Mr. Potato Head to guide us through this fun and engaging activity? In this blog post, we’ll explore how to conduct a Meet the Counselor lesson using the iconic Mr. Potato Head toy. Objective: The primary goal of a Meet the Counselor lesson is to introduce kindergarteners to the role of the school counselor and the various ways the counselor can suppor ..read more

Let’s talk about exposing our elementary-aged students to future career options and giving them career exploration opportunities at an early age. Careers can seem like they are far from the thoughts of our younger students, but it’s more important to get students thinking about future career options than one may think. Expanding students’ understanding of future career options can help them to narrow down what they like, what they are best at, and which skills they may want to take the time to hone. Let’s face it; career exploration and career education often get pushed to the back burner for ..read more

Have you ever thought of how the school news can help you to reach more students? As a school counselor, you play a crucial role in helping students develop social-emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. However, reaching all students can be a challenge, especially if you have a large caseload or limited time. One effective way to reach more students is by using the school news. School News Benefits Using the school news can have many benefits for students, including: Reaching a larger audience of students who may not utilize counseling services Providing opportunities ..read more

I love grabbing children’s attention with meaningful and highly interactive bulletin boards, door displays, and wall art. These act as colorful displays of children’s work, reminders of important skills, dispersers of important messages, and structural support to hang cute inspirational messages. Everyone loves a good bulletin board or wall display; they make people happy. Here are ten of my favorite display board ideas through the years that have helped create a culture of support within our school community. Ketchup With Your School Counselor Door Display I want my students to feel welcome a ..read more