Monday, July 25, 2016
Technopalooza
Today was one of those have-to-wake-up-early-in-the-summer kind of days. Technopalooza year 4! I go every year and I always learn something new. This year I learned about Schoology, Dropittome, Plickers, EdShelf, App Smashing, Augmented Reality, Newsela, Rewordify, Lego Movie Maker, YouTube Converter, and I got some tips on making instructional videos. Plus I got to see friends, eat scrumptious food truck fare, and win a $50 Amazon card. School? #bringit
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Sharing
Today I had the opportunity to participate in a panel of middle school counselors as we shared our career paths and more with university students in the Masters in School Counseling program. There were four students, four school counselors, and one instructor, serving as the facilitator. I wore this shirt: 
I love being able to share the intricacies of my job with future school counselors. :) What I realized today is that the information the others shared was also very valuable to me...an unexpected bonus! One of the main points I wanted to share with these students is the importance of networking and keeping current. I was super excited to hear that the four students plan to attend our state conference in the fall. Yay!!!
Why do I think conferences are important?
This year our state is hosting two phenomenal school counselors for our Saturday Institute. They are none other than Jeff Ream: The Counseling Geek and Carol Lawson Miller! I am so excited to have them in Missouri!!!
Attending conferences and becoming involved in professional organizations is an excellent way to stay abreast of new and changing information as well as to let lose, have a little fun, learn, and share! Definitely a Win! Win!
Follow me on Twitter: @LangeCounselor
I love being able to share the intricacies of my job with future school counselors. :) What I realized today is that the information the others shared was also very valuable to me...an unexpected bonus! One of the main points I wanted to share with these students is the importance of networking and keeping current. I was super excited to hear that the four students plan to attend our state conference in the fall. Yay!!!
Why do I think conferences are important?- Opportunities for growth
- Leadership potential
- Amazing professional development
- Networking
- Change in scenery
- Fun! Fun! Fun!
This year our state is hosting two phenomenal school counselors for our Saturday Institute. They are none other than Jeff Ream: The Counseling Geek and Carol Lawson Miller! I am so excited to have them in Missouri!!!
Attending conferences and becoming involved in professional organizations is an excellent way to stay abreast of new and changing information as well as to let lose, have a little fun, learn, and share! Definitely a Win! Win!
Follow me on Twitter: @LangeCounselor
Friday, April 8, 2016
PBIS Collaboration
Yesterday our PBIS team went off-campus for a collaboration day. We looked at what we are doing now and what we would like to accomplish for next year.
Let me just say...we are only looking at tier 1 supports at this time. As a team, I think we are anxious to move on to learn some intervention strategies to support our tier 2 kids, but at this time, we still need to build a solid foundation school wide.
Let me be honest here...I have been at my current school for three years now. This is just my second year as a member of the PBIS team. My first year was a complete whirlwind! I was new to the building and had just switched from classroom teacher to school counselor. I was learning the ropes and acclimating to a new school climate. That first year I saw a lot of misbehavior. I was confused about our discipline policy. I knew if I was confused, then surely the kids were too. While I loved my new position and the people I worked with, I saw a lot of room for growth.
Enter year two. The PBIS team started strong, asking teachers to use the school wide expectations posted in their classrooms. Then, we started getting PD once a month on PBIS strategies to support our expectations. I could see a big difference...and so could the kids. I joined the PBIS team this second year. Becoming more involved in the process is something I enjoy.
Now it is year three and I am just pumped about the progress we have made and the growth we still have to come! I can't wait to go to the Summer Institute and hear from model schools. :)
One idea I have for next year is to start a new club that will serve as the student side of PBIS. I would like it to be a service club that models our school-wide expectations. Since we are the Leopards, the name will be...LEOPARD PRIDE. So excited!!!
In the meantime, we are working to finish this school year on a positive note. It is good to be excited about future growth, but sometimes I need to be grounded back to today. Anyone else like that? :)
Let me just say...we are only looking at tier 1 supports at this time. As a team, I think we are anxious to move on to learn some intervention strategies to support our tier 2 kids, but at this time, we still need to build a solid foundation school wide.
Let me be honest here...I have been at my current school for three years now. This is just my second year as a member of the PBIS team. My first year was a complete whirlwind! I was new to the building and had just switched from classroom teacher to school counselor. I was learning the ropes and acclimating to a new school climate. That first year I saw a lot of misbehavior. I was confused about our discipline policy. I knew if I was confused, then surely the kids were too. While I loved my new position and the people I worked with, I saw a lot of room for growth.
Enter year two. The PBIS team started strong, asking teachers to use the school wide expectations posted in their classrooms. Then, we started getting PD once a month on PBIS strategies to support our expectations. I could see a big difference...and so could the kids. I joined the PBIS team this second year. Becoming more involved in the process is something I enjoy.
Now it is year three and I am just pumped about the progress we have made and the growth we still have to come! I can't wait to go to the Summer Institute and hear from model schools. :)
One idea I have for next year is to start a new club that will serve as the student side of PBIS. I would like it to be a service club that models our school-wide expectations. Since we are the Leopards, the name will be...LEOPARD PRIDE. So excited!!!
In the meantime, we are working to finish this school year on a positive note. It is good to be excited about future growth, but sometimes I need to be grounded back to today. Anyone else like that? :)
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