1st day of shadowing

I finally was able to shadow a school counselor: Laura an elementary school counselor near Newark. Thank you so much Laura for allowing me the privileged to shadow you around for a few days.I now know that this is what I am supposed to do with the rest of my life.  I LOVED IT! I was able to sit in on 3 classroom guidance lessons for 5th graders and a friendship small group for 2nd graders.

The guidance lesson for the 5th graders was about Problem Solving: STAR method. S-stop, T-think (start thinking of solutions) A-act (pick a solution that will have the best outcome) R-review (decide if this was the right decision or if you need to go over the steps again and pick another solution.)They went over the steps and then played a interactive tic-tac-toe game where the teams had to go through the steps to deal with an everyday problem. I liked how she kept both groups focusing on the game by allowing steals (if the team who was answering didnt have the best answer). She also tried to end it where no one won so no one got upset. I really enjoyed this idea and hopefully will be able to use it in the future.

The friendship small group was really cool. I was so excited when I found out that the lesson she was teaching, I already had it on in one of my boards on Pinterest.

from: http://creativeelementaryschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/ )

She changed this activity a little by adding: what I do that bugs people, and a sheet for what to do when I do bother someone, or when someone bothers me. I really liked the addition and I the kids seemed to really enjoy it.

Here is some notes from my shadowing experience:

1. As a school counselor, you need to be flexible. Your plans will change and you have to be able to go with the flow. 
2. Work as a team: She had the kids contact their teachers or parents, if they had any issues. That way if she would of been busy.(like today) the teacher could try to talk to the student until Laura could get the chance to see her. 
3. A school counselors job needs to focus on these 3 components Academia, Career, emotional wellbeing. Trying to reach all those components for each small group or classroom guidance lesson that she does. For example: with the problem solving 5th grade classroom guidance lesson, she introduced me and asked the kids about shadowing and let them know its a great idea. 
4. School counselors DONT deal with the root cause. Instead of digging deep and figuring out why they are feeling this way, they give them ways to cope through it. Which I like a lot better, sounds like instead of diagnosing them and putting a stigma toward that label on the child, the school counselor is empowering the student. 
5. With small groups always have 1st session:be a get to know you and last session: wrap-up (finish everything that wasn't done yet.
6. I thought this was a really great way to figure out what skills you teach to classroom guidance versus small group

I didnt have much time to ask questions since it was pretty busy with all the guidance lessons but I'm coming back on Monday and we should have more time to answer my questions,and I will post the questions and answers on here

Books I found at Barnes and Noble

I ended up at Barnes and Noble yesterday and found some really great books on a guide to subsituting and also some books I would want for my future school counselor book collection.

These books are very helpful for me for substitute teaching (ended up buying both)

1. The organized Teacher's Guide to Subsitute Teaching: The book is split up by grade levels, so its really nice to take with you to any job that way no matter where your being assigned you will be ready. It also comes with a CD-rom that has all the worksheets and templates that the book referenced to. (I suggest putting it all on a zipdrive that way you dont need a computer if you need it in a rush)

2. Substituting Teaching from A-Z: This book is such a great reference. Topics include- Attendence, Behavior Management, Names, and developing relationships. The chapters are very short and include letters to the author as well as real life stories that give you a real feel for what its like to be a sub  

 Future School Counselor Bookcase Books:

1) Dont Laugh at me: Illustration book to go with the song (I still remember it from when I learned it at school). Great message that although we are all different that it doesnt mean people have the right to make fun of someone.

2.Alexander and the Terrible day- Love this story! Could use it for subbing as well as school counseling. It is just one of those books that is great to read on those bad days. It also shows the kids that it was alot of little things that went wrong that ruined his day. Its also great because although he was having a bad day he still followed the rules and follows directions

3.Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by: Sandra Boynton: A great book for the younger kids to talk about different kind of emotions and what they look like. The book ends with a great message for the reader: "Well, I hope you are happy./ But if you are not,/ you have friends who will help you./ We like you a lot,". Great to follow up with talk about characteristics of each emotion and laminated picture of a face without any features they can fill it in.

  

4. How do Dinosaurs say I'm mad?: Love this for two reasons 1) It shows alot of the characteristics of someone who is mad in funny illustrations. 2) It shows the what to do/not to do when someone is mad. Could follow up with discussions about what to do when your angry.

Dont push the button by: Bill Cotter: Starts off telling the reader dont press the button and then the main character gets curious on what will happen. A great funny read for kids to read to cool down.

 

No more Homework, No more Tests: Fav poem book good for all ages

 

            Scaredy Squirrel by: Melanie Watt- amazing book for kids who have anxiety to learn that just because they are scared it doesnt mean they cant experience things in their own way..very funny

Things I wish someone told me ahead of time on the application process for subs

So, I offically have sent everything in to start subbing, Now im just waiting to get the email and I will be able to start subbing. This should take around 4 weeks so since that would take me to Christmas break so, I'm expecting to start working next year in January. So for this post I wanted to list some helpful tips that I wish knew before I started would of saved me alot of hassle and money.

My tips on applying to become a subsitute teacher

1. Start early! As soon as you decide you want to become a subsitute start working on the application process. Before you can apply for any district you need to get your subsitute license and that takes around 2-3 weeks normally (I did it online which was so much faster 1 week!) Dont wait till your orientation to start everything because you wont have it all completed and it will take longer for you to start working 

2. Figure out ahead of time everywhere you will needing to be sending your transcript and BCI/FBI background check. This tip will save you a lot of money and frustration. I ended up doing everything twice because I needed to send it to both ODE to acquire my license as well as the service center I was being employed through. 

3. The online application process to get your sub license was very easy except for one part: the superintendents signature.You need to have the superintendent from the place that is employing you (they dont explain this part..which left me to be making lots of calls). If you are being employed by a district then you are good to just have your superintendent from that school sign it. But if you decide to go to another school district IT WILL NOT BE TRANSFERABLE and you will have to go through the whole sub application again to add a new district. If you are like me, who was employed by a organization that works with many district: you will need the superintendent from there to sign it. Online it was really fast and they just got an email and signed it so less work for me.

4. (This is for all jobs)- When you get a list of the requirements that you will need for that job put it with your resume items. That way when you have to update your resume you already have an overview to look at and use. 

5. During this down time, start researching and working on your bag o' tricks that you will need when you start, that way your not running around the week before getting everything together. 

Hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and make this application process stress free. :)

Step 1 become a subsitute teacher

So here is a new beggining...

A week ago I was working for my parents as a sales rep covering half of the state of Ohio, making good money and was very good at my job. Now I resigned from my job( thank you parents for being so understanding and supportive) and waiting for my sub certification to be approved so I can start working as a sub. It all changed because I decided to sign up for a substitute orientation. 

Work was slowling down so my mom recommended that if I'm going to get some experience this would be the perfect time. I was looking forward working with kids and was eager to find exposure that will help me get in to the school of my dreams. After many efforts to shadow a school counselor failed (due  to privacy/ needed to have me employed by the school). I decided I could become a part time subsitute. I thought 2 weeks experience would be enough time that would give me...but as soon as I walked in something just clicked and I knew that this wasn't going to be something I would do for only 2 weeks.

My subsitute orientation presenter was my old high school teacher, which was crazy because when I graduated she retired from being a principal. She opened my eyes on all the positive aspects on being a sub. I was just thinking about the experience but she informed me about the networks I can build, and also the opportunity to work in ESC classrooms (which would be great because I'm working in small ratio classes with an aide that can help me. 

I just waiting to start... In the mean time Finding things on Pinterest that will help me with subsitute teaching and becoming a great school counselor.

Also finally found an elementary school counselor to shadow for a few days its a ill bit away but it's worth the trip. Can't wait!!!!