David's Law Presentation for Counselors in Schools

I have been researching David's Law for a presentation I'm giving in August.  Here is the current presentation I am working on!
If you have to present over David's Law, you can order David's Pledge Stickers from David's Foundation.  Click here and scroll down to "contact us."  I received my pledge stickers very quickly!

School Counseling Week!

The first week of February is School Counseling Week!  It's not school counselor's week, so although you might get some appreciation ~ IF YOU ARE  REALLY LUCKY ~ typically it is a week for you to advocate for your program.  Here are some ideas!

Teacher Gifts/Thank Yous:  There is a lot of debate on this topic, but I think giving is fun!  It never hurts to thank people, build bridges, and celebrate counseling!

Lifesavers!

Popcorn!

Rolos!

Sharpies!

Animal Crackers!

Student Workshops:  We partnered with our local junior college to offer workshops on ApplyTexas and College 101.  All sophomores completed their Apply Texas application for dual credit.  We also presented a local scholarship workshop for seniors.  Finally, we presented to all AP students regarding upcoming AP testing.

Mrs. Husen Rocking the Local Scholarship Workshop!

Parent Workshop:  We offered a parent workshop for the FAFSA.  All parents left with a completed FAFSA!  This was in addition to our fall FAFSA workshops and what I called the "It's not too late! FAFSA workshop."

Everyone left with a completed FAFSA!

College Visits:  We had multiple colleges visit classes during school counseling week.  The Art Institute of Dallas visited Career and Technology Classes, Weatherford Junior College visited all senior English classes, and Texas Tech visited with interested students.  

Art Institute of Dallas

Texas Tech University

School counseling week was extremely fun!  Can't wait for next year!  

Character Education is our Guidance Curriculum!

A fellow counselor and I were asked to present on the topic of "Character Education."  Our audience was the counseling staff and upper administration.  I used this opportunity to review the four components of the Model Comprehensive, DevelopmentalGuidance and Counseling Program for Texas Public Schools.  This is the presentation I put together along with our district counselors.  My goal was to review the four components and the amount of time we should IDEALLY spend on each component.

Guidance curriculum from Molly Morris - Yes the format got a little messed up on the upload!


SLIDES 1-10:  We reviewed the 4 components and discussed the recommended percentages for each component at each level.  An important note regarding the pie chart ~ we can't make a bigger pie (unless we work late and weekends ~ which we do!)  If one piece of the pie grows, one must shrink.  Typically, responsive behavior cannot shrink ("Have a breakdown sometime else!" ~ doesn't go over well.)  If individual planning shrinks, someone might not graduate.  The individual time we spend with students is so important!  And system support doesn't seem to ever shrink with the demands on counselors increasing.  So, unfortunately, the guidance curriculum often is the piece of the pie that shrinks.  This is why this topic is SO IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS!  Guidance cannot give!  The difference it makes impacts graduation, discipline, climate, AND SO MUCH MORE!

SLIDES 11-18:  We reviewed each of the objectives in the guidance curriculum component, and how we are addressing these objectives through our curriculum.  This exposed weaknesses in areas we need to address, as well as areas in which we are excelling.

This presentation went over well.  It is always good to review what we are supposed to be doing vs. what we are doing.  Our role in the school is so misunderstood and it is up to us to advocate for counselors!

Generosity! A Christmas lesson in giving.

It is important for students to consider giving, not just receiving, over Christmas.  Here is a guidance lesson for older elementary students:

• Engage - I started by asking students if they had ever received a special gift they would never forget, then I showed them my box of notes and treasures I had received from teachers and students in my past, including a painted pet rock, scribbled notes, and drawings.  
• Brainstorm - I asked students to consider things they could give this Christmas, noting that there is great joy in being able to give.  Also, it doesn't feel good to want and want all the time.  Also, I acknowledged they they probably do not have credit cards or bank accounts.  What did they have to give? 
• Summary - Then I summed up their responses with time (spending time with a loved one, helping them, chores, etc.), talents (singing, drawing, making someone smile), and treasures (donate old toys, clothes, canned goods.)

• Modeling generosity - We talked about acts of generosity and I showed these videos.  

Could you give up a ball?  How did he feel when he gave it away? Do you do the right thing, even if you don't know who is watching?

(For more information on Beary Christmas, click here. )

• Acting on generosity - Finally, I asked students if they wanted to do a random act of generosity?  Of course they did! I passed out this paper and instructed students to go to one of the websites:
• The first was FreeRice.com, which  (I incorporated a non-holiday themed website for those who do not celebrate Christmas or holidays.)

• Or students could write a letter to Santa (most played along even if, you know...) at Macy's.  Macy's donates $1 to Make-a-Wish for each letter written. Here's the link.

• Together, small acts of generosity make a big difference! Students turned in their paper slips at the end of class.  I tallied it all up, and at the last assembly in December, I announced how much money and rice we generated for the sick and hungry.  We all cheered!  Yay for generosity! 

Post-Secondary Education ~ College Day!

I'm wearing A&M gear, but I'm a Tech gal.
I have lots of college shirts collected over the years! 

Surprise share for you at the end of this post! If you don't feel like reading, scroll to the end.

We all know the importance of college and career awareness in elementary.  Some students think the Dallas Cowboys are a university team.  Good grief.

I have spent many hours of my life developing College Spotlight presentations over mostly Texas Universities.  These were distributed to teachers weekly who would show them to students on our designated "College Day."

Teachers loved having a day to wear their "college gear" (and jeans!  Who can resist a jean day?) Students also wore college gear.  We even began carrying some college earrings, etc. for kids to purchase with their good behavior tickets in our school store.

Update the video links.  Most colleges have a YouTube page.

After I developed these spotlights my first year of elementary counseling, I would just pull one and update it each week during my second, third, and fourth years.  I would email the staff at the beginning of the year to let me know where they went to school, along with their immediate family.  I would also ask for pictures of them in their college gear. It's great to include pictures and names of Alumni at your school to make it more personal! Each year I would also update the video links.  For early elementary classrooms, I usually made a separate, shortened version.

Would you like to start a college day at your elementary or junior high?  I have a surprise for you!  All of my hard work is available for you to download here and here! You're welcome!  Don't judge me if you find errors.  Like you, I was torn in many directions, wearing many hats, and multitasking like a madwoman.  :)

Promote your College Day each week with some photos on your school Facebook or web page!

Welcome to Personality Pathways!

1.  Click here for personality test.  Browse the personality types.

2.  Want to follow along with the presentation?  Click here.

2.  What kind of teacher are you?  (This is supposed to be funny!)

• ESTP: The fun teacher who can go on random rants.  (Coaches, PE teachers)
• ISTP:  Gruff, somewhat apathetic teacher who might take a nap.  Admin can’t get rid of them because they are too good at their job and know a lot about what they teach.  (Shop teachers)
• ESFP:  Mega fun hands on teacher. (Drama)
• ISFP:  Insanely laid back teacher that has clear opinions and encourages self expression.(art)
• ENFJ:  Suspiciously friendly teacher who doesn’t put up with bad behavior and encourages discussion.  (English, Foreign Language)
• ENFP:  Super quirky, awkward teacher who walks into class late. (Music)
• INFP:  Quiet, absent minded, passionate teacher. (Philosophy)
• INFJ:  “The chill teacher”/Psychology, Counselor
• ENTJ:  The teacher that will not put up with anything, ever.  Do not challenge them, they know what they are talking about.  (Physics, AP Economics)
• INTP: Quiet, detached teacher who goes on long, in depth explanations. (Computer Programming)
• INTJ:  Sarcastic teacher with a clear routine.  (Chemistry)
• ENTP: The teacher that grumbles, “Apparently we won’t be learning anything today because the %^$$ administration thought it would be valuable for you to learn about bullying or some @@#$!” (Business)
• ESFJ:  Super warm, organized teacher who makes sure everyone knows what is going on and the material is clear. (Culinary Arts, Principals)
• ISFJ: Mild, kind teacher who gives as little homework as possible. (History)
• ISTJ’s make good chemistry, geography teachers, highly procedural teacher who has memorized everything and will stare you down. (Chemistry, Geography)
• ESTJ:  The authoritative, conventional teacher who encourages debates. (History)

Thank you for coming!  Have a great school year!  

Teaching Leadership

In January, we celebrated Leadership!  No one inspired and led like Martin Luther King, Jr.
Guidance Lesson:
We talked about his leadership style and what made him a great leader:

• He fought for justice, something that mattered, and what what right.  This is called integrity.
• He fought with peace.  He could've chosen hatred and violence.  This is called self-control.
• He was a great speaker and spoke in front of large groups of people.  This is called courage.
• He cared deeply about his purpose.  This is called passion.

Then we discussed great teachers and coaches and people who have inspired us.  What qualities did they have?

• A positive attitude
• Inspired us to work through challenges
• Were forgiving
• Had a sense of humor
• Were passionate about what they were doing, but also passionate about us.

Then I talked about how we cannot always be leaders.  Sometimes we have to be good followers.  We played the game of knots (circle up and grab a hand and try to untangle.)  When everyone tries to lead at once, it is a disaster.  How can you be a good follower?

• Make sure your leader is headed in the right direction.  Bullies are leaders...they just aren't headed in the right direction.
• Keep a good attitude and do your task the best you can.

Then I showed this video and we talked about what makes Kid President such an inspirational leader:

Announcements:

January – LEADERSHIP Announcements!

Tuesday 1/12

This month, we will be learning about LEADERSHIP.  Think about the leaders in your classroom.  What qualities make a good leader?  What qualities make a bad leader?  Try to show good leadership qualities and see what happens! 

Wednesday 1/13

As we think about leadership this month, consider the difference between a Boss and a Leader.  Great leaders inspire others to do their best.  Boss’s are bossy and tell everyone what to do.  Try to inspire others to do their best and you will be a great leader.

Thursday 1/14

John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”  Consider following his example and being a positive leader in your classroom! 

Friday 1/15

We will not have school on Monday due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a minister and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using non-violent peace marches and rallies.

On October 14, 1964, King received the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting racial inequality through nonviolence.  In 1968, King was killed on April 4 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a holiday in 1986. Hundreds of streets in the U.S. have been renamed in his honor, and a county in Washington State was also renamed for him. 

Someone once asked King how he would like to be remembered.  He stated, “I'd like somebody to mention that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to give his life serving others. I'd like for somebody to say that Martin Luther King Jr. tried to love somebody.

Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major. Say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an amazing leader; Consider ways you can use your life to inspire others, too!

Tuesday 1/19  - Wednesday 1/20 – Thursday 1/21

Mrs. Morris will be visiting Music classes today!  We will be discussing LEADERSHIP!  Think about qualities in yourself and others that make a good leader.

Monday 1/25

William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American Hall of Fame basketball player and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He once said, “Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.”  What do you think?  Do coaches and politicians always show good leadership qualities?  How could they do better?

Tuesday 1/26

This month, we have learned more about leadership.  There are times in your life that you will be called on to lead, but there are also times when you must be a good follower.  Make sure you pick the right kind of leader to follow, or you could end up in trouble!  It’s up to you to find positive leaders and role models.

Wednesday 1/27

Being a good leader means helping without being asked.  Look for ways you can help others, and don’t wait until someone asks you to help! 

Thursday 1/28

Great leaders never give up!  This is called Perseverance.  Leaders say, “It’s not a problem, it’s a challenge.”  This is called overcoming adversity.  Leaders say, Yes, I can!”  This is called the power of a positive attitude.  Leaders say, “I may fail or make mistakes, but I always learn and move ahead.”  This is called commitment.  A leader says “I will always do my best!”  This is called Excellence. Challenge yourself to do your very best everyday and you will be a good leader!

Closing Remarks

Gosh this month got me thinking about the presidential candidates and how we need an inspirational leader who is positive, courageous, and passionate.  Let's all step up and be inspirational leaders when life calls on us to lead!