WOW! This is exciting!!

The intent of this blog was to compile cool ideas and links to great resources!  Somehow I made it a list of amazing counseling sites/blogs (the description is slightly off, but the publicity is nice).  Such an honor, especially since I am quite new to blogging (and counseling too)!  Just wanted to send out a BIG thanks to anyone who has viewed this blog!!!  Check it out ... there are 100 sites on this link and so many are amazing!!!!

http://www.mastersincounseling.org/counseling-sites.html

My New Favorite Thing

As the new school year is in full swing, and referrals are beginning to make their way in, I wanted to come up with a cool way to help kids (immediately) with all of those useful strategies that we teach day-in and day-out.  Since I can't see every student right away, for those who just need some reminders of strategies I created these "Be A Gecko Problem-Solver" cards.  I heart these cards!  On the back of the card are 11 strategies kids can try to solve their problem.  There is also a reminder at the bottom to seek an adult if their is a safety concern, otherwise the good-ole standby of "try three before me" can be used.  They just arrived.  I think I will give one to each teacher to put in the classroom.  What do you guys think?

Blog Facelift :)

I've really enjoyed discovering so many amazing School Counseling blogs this summer. I've added some things that I hope you will enjoy, including this awesome book shelf of some of my most favorite books to use in counseling. In addition I finally figured out how to put the Pin It button with each of my posts. So, if you find one of my posts to be helpful and you would like to pass it along please hit Pin It and add to your Pinterest page.

Back to School Treats

Hi all, and welcome back to school :)  This year I am trying lots of firsts.  First blog ... check.  First year where I know all of the students ... check.  First year where I truly embrace the leadership role in the school now that I have created a firm foundation for myself and my comprehensive counseling program ... check.  Along with this I decided this year that I was going to be directly involved with creating and continuing the positive school climate with our staff.  How did I do this?  I found a cute idea and decided to join with our social worker to let our staff know just how much we appreciate them and how we love to collaborate!  After our meet the teacher event tonight we placed them in front of every staffers door.  If you're on a budget (which I always am) we split the costs of the hand soaps.  And if you have a Big Lots around ... they're only a buck each (and look like the ones from Bath & Body Works)!

Role of Elementary School Counselors

As we spend our last few weeks recouping, rejuvenating, and re-energizing ourselves for the upcoming school year I like to think about how to best explain to stakeholders what the role of the elementary school counselor is.  AND, to best do that I always refer first to ASCA.  Here's a nice link with helpful information (and even videos to show parents).  Enjoy!

My FAV Pinterest Find Thus Far ... Tattle Monsters

My favorite thus far are Tattle Monsters from Giggles Galore
http://gigglesgalorenmore.blogspot.com/2011/08/tattle-monster.html.
So happy I stumbled upon this one!  Here's a screen capture of one of these cute guys created by Mariah, the creator of Giggles Galore.  She also gives step-by-step instructions on how to make "him."

I know the teachers at my school are going to love this go-to box after we do a tattle lesson.  For their sake, I think I'll do it much earlier this year than last.  I can't wait!

Happy Pinteresting!

Pinterest is AMAZING!

I have begun to make some time (during this relaxing summer) to reassess my first year as a school counselor and the program I created.  Luckily I had the freedom to recreate the program that was already at my school.  The former counselor became the assistant principal, which for some could have been intimidating, but she was very honest about me being able to do whatever I wanted.  I digress.  The point is, as I have been thinking about what worked and what didn't, I have have checked out all of your blogs, and then found myself finding idea after idea on .... Pinterest!  Genius Idea!  So, if you're like me and you're either new or new to technology Pinterest can be a lifesaver!

Summers for many school counselors (like teachers) is a time to rejuvenate and do some self-care before the school year starts up again.  While doing so you may be tempted to take a look at your SC program and make some additions, changes, tweaks, etc.  WELL, have I found the site to rival all sites.  http://www.elementaryschoolcounseling.org  Marissa, the creator of this site, has a resource page that will blow your mind.  So if you're like me, and just can't stay completely away from counseling during the summer, check out her site ... it is well worth it :)

(photo courtesy of google.com/images)

I wish I was at this year's conference.  One cool thing I just found out was that ASCA has an app for the conference this year.  Apparently I missed this last when they did the same in Seattle.  You can also just go to http://m.core-apps.com/asca2012 to view the app. It has all of the sessions (including handouts)!!!!!!  If I can't be there this might be the next best thing!

I just stumbled upon a fab blog, The Teacher's Lounge. There is a great post about classroom management, http://blog.reallygoodstuff.com/?p=9179, something I'm always trying to improve. Check it out, they offer some great tips.

Balloon Stress Balls
LOVE this idea from http://pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com/2011/07/stress-ball-balloons.html!  I think my kids will love making these home-made stress balls (and my wallet will too)!  Can't wait to try these out.

As part of my summer plans I thought I would begin a school counseling blog.  After repeatedly hearing in grad school "don't reinvent the wheel" I decided not to.  Instead I seek out great ideas that are already out there and then tweak them to make them my own.  My blog will highlight great ideas and the people that came up with them.  Happy Counseling!