Question for Sparking - What is your role and what do you need from the counselor?

Question for Sparking: Here at the end of the school year it is good to reflect on what you did and did not get when you needed something. That pesky school counselor seems to have everything and nothing to do at the same time. Among schools and school systems, the counselor's role changes and morphs into many different niches. As you spark on this question, let us know what your role is within the educational system and what you personally need from your school counselor. Let's collaborate on how to match your needs with your resources! 

Spark away!

Who am I and why are you here?

  On March 2, 2019, I stepped off an airplane onto a different continent and into a different world. I was not born a world traveler, and at 51 years old, I had no reason to think that I would ever leave the comfort of my familiar Southeastern state. Two days later I found this quotation, cut out and laminated, in a pile of rubble left behind by someone who had occupied my office previously. It had the honor of being my first official mark on my new work space in a 21st century school. 

And so it begins, a seasoned professional trading in my professional comfort and complacency for something new. The dew of excitement is being replaced with the reality that I have to start over. Now, I am the learner in my ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development), engaged in that "productive struggle" we sometimes admonish our kids for not embracing. And you know what? It's hard, really hard, to be challenged every moment of every day at your capacity. It's hard not to be able to control the rate at which new ideas are tossed to you and to not have mastery over this juggling act before you are tossed another egg. 

So, I have learned already--graciousness, modeled by my co-workers and administration...and empathy for our students...and our teachers. A Southerner learning grace and a counselor learning empathy...imagine that! I entitled this blog, "Sparks & Oxygen" because you need both to start a fire. So, if you are an education professional, a parent, or a student who is ready to get into your ZPD, this blog is designed to spark your mind through collaboration and give you enough space (Oxygen) to get your fire going. Our topics will focus around school culture and climate, curriculum, community partnerships, new research, what's working and why, embracing change, and future-focused leadership. Let the sparking begin.