So, what is the Liebster award? It is an award that honors new bloggers who have 200 or less followers. The award promotes the nominee's blog while informing blog readers about the blogger.
Here are the rules associated with the award:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated you.
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator.
4. Create 11 questions for your nominees.
5. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them.
Thank you again Carol Miller! I truly do feel honored!
Following directions, I will now answer the 11 questions:
1. What are your favorite blogs? This is a tough one! My favorites are:
2. Why did you decide to begin blogging? I started blogging because I wanted to journal my first year as a school counselor. I know too well how time can pass by and my memory does not always serve me as well as a journal would. :) I was especially inspired by others who have such amazing blogs. I wanted to be able to educate others like they did me.
3. Who do you follow on Pinterest? I follow some of my friends to get ideas for dinner and such, but most of my Pinterest time is spent on school counseling ideas. I follow The Helpful Counselor, Franciene Sabens, School Counselor Central, Becca Lenger, Lena Sheets (Becca and Lena are good friends and grad school classmates), Julia V. Taylor, Danielle Schulz, and Carol Miller.
4. Do you have a favorite counseling lesson? I think my favorite lesson is one on anger management. I have the students think about their anger when it is out of control. Then, I give them a balloon and we equate uncontrolled anger to a balloon out of control. I have the students blow up the balloon and hold it (don't tie it shut). Then, I have them predict where they think the balloon will go. Next, they release the balloon and try to recreate the movement of the balloon. Finally, they discuss with a partner what happened when the balloon was realeased and how that is similar to anger that is out of control. It really helps them visualize how unpredictable their anger can be and how it affects others.
5. How do you connect with other counselors? I am blessed to work in a counseling office with two other counselors: a school counselor and an outreach counselor. As a new counselor, I consult with them daily. I work in a rather large school district. The middle school counselors get together every other month for a breakfast meeting. It is a great way for us to stay informed. I also use facebook, twitter, and blogging sites to stay connected with counselors all around the globe. :)
6. What technology/apps would make your job more
difficult if you had to do without? Our school information system allows us to look up various information on our students. I don't know what I would do without it!
7. What is your favorite thing about being a counselor? I get to connect with so many different people! I support students, parents, and other staff members on a daily basis! There is never a dull moment. :) After teaching for 19 years, I find it refreshing that I can leave my office at the end of the day and enjoy my family!! :)
8. What are 3 things about you most of us don't know? 1--My parents had 3 foreign exchange students from Spain (just for summers), 2--When I was 8 my parents were foster parents to two other children: Dawn & Danny, 3--I once won a costume contest for dressing up as Carrie from the movie with the same title.
9. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Butter pecan
10. What do you do in your free time? Watch my son's lacrosse games! :)
11. What is your best piece of advice for a student? Concentrate on the things you can change.
Now...here are the questions I have for the nominees:
1. How long have you been in your profession?
2. What sparked your interest in your current career?
3. Who was your favorite teacher and why was he/she your favorite?
4. What inspires you?
5. What is your favorite social media and what makes it your favorite?
6. What was the last conference you attended?
7. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
8. How do you practice self care?
9. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
10. What is your favorite book?
11. Describe yourself in one word.
In turn, my nominations for the Liebster award are:
- The School Counselor's Chronicle
- School Counselor Companion
- Stuck in the Middle & Loving It!
- Scrapbook of a School Counselor
- Schoolcounselor.com Must See Videos
Congratulations Bloggers! I look forward to reading your responses! :)
