Though this blog post may come three (or four) weeks too late, it’s never too late to celebrate a milestone such as one that you are excited about which is that this is my third year as a school counselor. I think the craziest thing about it is that it has been that long since I graduated grad school. Time flies…that is really all I have to say. However, I can say this because the year has started out smoothly so far, that I am still excited for this year 20 days into the school year. Let’s just hope at the 40 day mark, the 60 day mark and the 179 mark that I am feeling the same way. The thing about being a school counselor is all of the different hats that you get to wear throughout the day and also the year.
Advocacy is one of the biggest things as a school counselor. Is the child being treated fairly in the school environment by the teacher and by the system? Can we do anything to make it better for the student to be able to reach their potential. I have started to really find my voice as an advocate this year, and that is something that takes time I believe. You can’t come into a position freshly out of school and think that everyone is going to take you seriously, especially being the youngest one in the building. I love the people I work it, and they have their whole hearts in the students, but sometimes we all get frustrated and need to see things from a new perspective and that’s where I come in. It’s not to fight with anyone, it’s not to ridicule or belittle, it is to help which is obviously what I set out to do everyday. Helpers…another role of the counselor among the 30 million other things that get stacked. I don’t mind that stack though, it really keeps me loving what I’m doing because it is not mundane.
This Friday I am helping to deliver yoga classes for one of our grades which I can’t wait for. Last school year I was able to get funded on Donor’s Choose for yoga mats for our school to help with the delivery of these lessons. I was lucky enough to have parental help by a licensed yoga instructor. These are just a few examples of the small joys that keep me going throughout the day and make the rough patches seem less rough.
Life is also going well as this blog is not just about my job. I’m confused about some things but I’m sure in time they will work themselves out. Life is also busy. Busy is the best word for it. One simple word. Busy. We all are busy, right? Well I know that I often take that word to extremes as I go through my daily routine of almost never getting home til after 7 or 8 pm on a work night because of my extras. Between mobile therapy, teaching fitness classes, school board, photography, and other miscellaneous things that come up I am often getting home four hours later than the end of my work day, but that is what makes me who I am. I am a person that needs a lot of stimulation to keep them going. I like being busy, I like doing lots of activities, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
This is a rather short post, but I’m going to try to be more diligent to work on posting more regularly, fingers crossed!