So we started school this year with an optional partial day called "Jumpstart Day". Because our school district added a new high school and had a major reconfiguration changing the 8-9 buildings and the 6-7 buildings to 6-8 buildings and sending all the 9th graders to high school, they decided to offer an optional day to check the building out and meet the teachers. After that, we hit the ground running!
The first few days were all about scheduling issues in the Guidance Office. Our enrollment is too large and our schedule is too tight to accomodate the students' electives. It has been one hot mess! I am fortunate to work with two other counselors (one a School Counselor and the other an Outreach Counselor) and an amazing registrar. I listened to how they handled the disgruntled parents and students and took my cue from them! :)
I have been surprised that I am expected to help out with the 1.5 hours of lunch duty. This isn't such a bad thing. It is giving me a chance to meet the students and see how they interact. Not my favorite thing, but I can definitely use this time to my advantage when working with kids!
I am still adjusting to so much freedom. As a teacher, every minute of my day was planned. Now, I have to make lists and decide how I am going to manage my day. It is such a weird feeling!!
I don't know if I am dreaming or what, but right now I can actually come home and NOT have to write lesson plans or grade papers! I can come home and enjoy my family. This is so amazing! I LOVE IT!
Another part of counseling that I love is that I DON'T HAVE TO WRITE SUB PLANS! I don't even have to get a sub! It is AWESOME!!!!!
So far, I love my new position! :)
