Using Data to Teach About Sexual Abuse Prevention

It was the middle of summer, and all I could think was, “I wish I had all my fifth graders together.” This is not usually the kind of thought I have in July, but three things had happened: Jerry Sandusky had been convicted of sexually abusing ten boys, the NCAA had announced sanctions against Penn State, and a local couple had confessed to sexual assault against a 13-year-old. I knew that many of our students would have seen and heard lots about these incidents, from the media and from adult discussion around them. If school had been in session

Resource for Parents: How to Talk to Children About the Recent Shooting

The recent shooting in Aurora, Colorado is a terrifying specter to all of us, but especially to children. I know that some of our kids must be frightened and, without school in session, may not have the opportunity to talk about their fears. I’m sure that many of them have seen lots of media coverage and may be thinking about all the times that they have been to the movies and what it will be like when they go the next time. Some of them were anxiously awaiting the new Batman movie and that excitement and anticipation may now be mixed with fear or anxiety. At times like this I wish school was in session. We would have

eduClipper – A New Way to Save and Share Educational Resources

I am anxiously awaiting the release of eduClipper, a tool for capturing and sharing educational content – links, images, videos, documents, and uploaded files. I am an avid user of Pinterest, but am looking forward to having eduClipper at my disposal too.  Here’s why:

• it’s school friendly and student safe
• clipboards can be private or public
• you can share your individual clips and clipboards with users and non-users alike, including students
  
• students can build and/or share their own clipboards
• all content is searchable

Doin’ My Thing With LibraryThing

I am beyond excited! I’m making major headway on a project I started (and stalled on) last summer – cataloging all my school books with LibraryThing. LibraryThing is a comprehensive web-based cataloging service that allows you to enter, tag, organize, review, rate and SHARE your books and/or entire library with others. Yes, share! The whole thing, not just a book at a time. Not only am I going to be more organized at school, I’m also going to be able to connect and share resources with others, especially with other school counselors. LibraryThing is also available via mobile devices, but you do not need a smartphone to use it. Here’s how you can get started too!

My Absolutely, Positively Most Favorite Counseling Game of All Time Throughout Eternity (So Far)

Did you get the idea from the title of this post that I might be talking about a game I kind of like?

I have a good collection of board games and card games in my office, but my hands down favorite — and the kids’ favorite too – is Max. It is no exaggeration to say that it is the most beloved game on my shelf! You should get it! Seriously! You can get it for less than $12 (at Funagain Games, or for a little more at Amazon), which is a rarity for any game, much less a game that is so applicable to the work that we do with kids. Here’s the spiel that I give to kids before they play the first time:

Helping the “Cafeteria Fringe”

At the library the other day, I picked up a copy of The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School by Alexandra Robbins. The book gives an inside view of what it’s like to be a member of the “cafeteria fringe” — marginalized kids who are ignored and/or tormented by other students. It follows six students and (spoiler alert) a marginalized teacher at different high schools — self-identified band geek, loner, new girl, gamer, loner, nerd, and “popular” girl trying to break out of her mean girl group and image. Robbins’ premise, which she calls “quirk theory,” is that the very characteristics that can lead

Treasure Boxes, Treasured Friends

No one is really sure what’s going on around here — is it the water? – but our school is becoming Boyland. In some grades boys account for more than two thirds of the population. In fifth grade last year we had only 13 girls, which presented some challenges, but also provided a great opportunity to do a lot of group work. Because their numbers were so small, we have been able to work on issues as they arise and do a lot of practicing of the skills we have learned about in class councils. They  all participated in groups

School Counselor Job Opening!

Help! Great school counselor needed!

We have an opening for a  full-time elementary school counselor (one-year position) at my school in Vermont. The other counselor left unexpectedly and we need an energetic, dedicated, and friendly counselor to fill the position. We have a wonderful, comprehensive program and supportive administration and teachers. Please spread the word and encourage people to apply soon – it won’t stay open for long. Apply at SchoolSpring:

http://www.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=79932

And it would be silly not to look at my tips for Finding a School Counseling Job!

Come work with me!