What does a school counselor really do?
School counselors are responsible for helping all children with academic, social emotional, and college and career needs. We help students learn how to identify their feelings and how to cope with the ones that are really big. We give resources to not only students but their families when it comes to anything that helps a child be the best they can be. Counselors help students help themselves!
How can my child(ren) see you privately?
On this website, there is a form that students may fill out if they would like to make an appointment with me. I also have appointment request forms and a locked mailbox outside of my office door that students pass everyday when they come into the school. Lastly, the student can talk to their trusted adults at home or at school if the need is emergent and they need to see me ASAP.
How do you make time to serve all the children?
I make it a priority to know EVERY kid at Rainwater; with that being said, there are way more kiddos than there are of me. I am not able to see every student privately every day/week, but I still see almost every student in some capacity. I do this by having counseling groups, lunch bunches, classroom lessons, and by making my way around the school to pop into classrooms to visit.
What exactly do you do when you have students in your office?
That really just depends on what the student wants to do! I have tons of options, including...
-A comfy rug, pillows, and stuffed animals for friends that need some comfort
-Puppets for friends that may need to practice having tough conversations
-TONS of books that teach many topics kids may struggle with (a lot of my favorites can be found on this website!)
-Games like Uno and Jenga for friends that may need help with emotional regulation or building relationships with others
-Feelings charts, scales, and wheels for friends that may need help identifying how they are feeling
-Kinetic sand and therapeutic sand tray activities for friends who may need time to process
...and so much more!
What topics would you discuss with a student?
School counselors are responsible for caring for the whole child, but the three main topics fall under academic, social emotional, and college and career conversations. We talk about problem solving, issues with peers, big life changes, focusing or regulating in school, emotional needs, questions about the future, and so much more. My job is not to tell students what to do! My job is to help students help themselves.
How can I ensure that my child is safe?
Student safety is the biggest priority. When students are in my room, confidentiality rules set by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) apply.
How can I help my child at home or at school?
At school, parents are encouraged to volunteer at book fairs, field trips, and other campus events. The PTA is amazing at Rainwater and can help parents get involved!
At home, parents can work with their students on topics discussed in groups or classroom lessons. These topics can be found in my monthly newsletter or via ParentSquare that I send to parents whose students participate in small group counseling. Remember that to our littles, their issues are HUGE! They may not have developed the skills to handle all of the things yet, so listening with empathy will go a long way. ❤