Author: sspellmancann

I have been in education since 1980. I absolutely love what I do and wish to help and support other School Counsellors across the world. All my resources are free for you to use and change as you wish. If you do alter anything I have created , I would appreciate you acknowledging where you got the original idea. Collaboration and sharing make us better at what we do … helping students. I look forward to connecting with you. Keep making a difference. Our students need School Counsellors like you who want to help and make a difference in the world. Join me as I co- moderate #scchat tThe chat is held the first Wed.of every month Sept. to June at 6:30 MT 8:30 ET

I Want to Shout It From The Mountain Tops School Counsellors Make A Difference

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As we come up to School Counselling Week I reflect on the difference that School Counsellors make and want to thank each and every one of you for what you do no matter where in the world you are.

All too often people do not truly know what School Counsellors do. I recognize you go about your days silently helping a child, so thank you. I think about the many colleagues I have know who worked tirelessly to promote the profession , but more importantly who did small things daily that may have gone unnoticed. They each found ways to do what was in the best interest of a child hoping that life could and would be more positive for them in the long run.

I have been fortunate to surround myself with professionals who notice and know that School Counsellors matter.

There are too many School Counsellors to thank, but know that I am truly grateful for all your support, resources and ongoing help whenever I need it. I know that you are just a click away thanks to #scchat. 

Below you can find some daily announcements that you may wish to use during School Counselling week or make up your own using these as a guide.

FOR YOUR DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monday: This is Canadian School Counsellor Week / National School Counselling Week. Today we challenge each student and staff member to express your gratitude to someone at school by telling them thank you for… You could even write a post card to them. The cards will be available all week in the Counselling area. Being grateful improves your overall happiness. Do it today! You make a difference.

Tuesday: It is Canadian School Counsellor Week / National School Counselling Week. Today we challenge students and staff to do one small good deed and when you do please post it to twitter, instagram or facebook using your school hashtag. Have a fabulous day. You make a difference.

Wednesday: This week is Canadian School Counselling Week / National School Counselling Week. We challenge you today to take 10 mins. out of your day to exercise or practice mindfulness. Have a great day! You can make a difference.

Thursday: It is Canadian School Counsellor Week / National School Counselling Week. Today we challenge students and staff to let one of your family members know how important they are. Pick up a card in Student Services and tell people what a difference they make in your life and give it to them. Remember you can make a difference today.

Friday: It is the last day of School Counselling Week / National School Counselling Week. Your School Counsellors want you to know we are here for you anytime. Come see us. Today we challenge you to show an act of kindness and try not to get caught (that’s the best kind of kind) . Recognize that you can make a difference.

This week is a time to be grateful and reflect. I am so grateful I have a principal who fully supports a Comprehensive School Counselling Program and if you do too , make sure you take time to thank them.

To you my dear School Counselling friends and colleagues without you I never would be able to do what I do. Together we are undoubtedly better. So join us whenever you can in #scchat . Post often to the hashtag and tell us what you are doing. Sharing , connecting and chatting with colleagues from across the world is the best PD ever.

I want to shout it from the mountain tops that School Counsellors are working everyday to help students in numerous ways in schools across the world even though you may not understand what it is that they truly do.

10 Education Twitter Chats Just For You

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Often when I am looking for a twitter chat I notice #scchat is left out , so if you have never heard about it look no further.

SCCHAT is held the first Wed. of every month from Sept.-June 6:30MT 8:30ET #scchat is an International School Counsellor chat for those across the world, but even if you are not a School Counsellor we welcome you in . School Counselors ,administrators and teachers collaborate all the time. We need each other . We are better with each other . So come along with us. Drop by any month for a little chat. We’d love to connect with you.  

You can learn more about our founder, chats and co-moderators here.

Education Hashtags  you may wish to follow:

#1 SCHOOL COUNSELLORS ,COUNSELLOR EDUCATORS #scchat

#2 EDUCATORS  #EdChat

#3 PARENTS #Parents

#4 PRINCIPALS #Principals

#5 EDUCATORS #MasteryChat

#6 STUDENT VOICE #StudentVoice

#7 DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP#DigitalCitizenship

#8 GLOBAL ED #GlobalEdChat

#9 EDTECH  #EdTech

#10 EDUCATORS #AchievementGap

For those of you interested in specific subject areas here are other Education hashtags  you may wish to follow:

ART #ArtsEd 

ENGLISH #engchat 
HISTORY #historyteacher
LANGUAGE foreign language #Langchat 
MATH  #Mathchat
MUSIC #MusEdchat 
PHYS. ED #PhysEd
SOCIAL STUDIES #SSchat 
SCIENCE #Scichat 
STEM #STEMchat

COMPUTER SCIENCE #CompSci

For those interested in Grade Level hashtags

EARLY CHILDHOOD #EarlyEd
ELEMENTARY #ElemSchool
HIGHER EDUCATION #HigherEd
HIGH SCHOOL #HighSchool
PRE SCHOOL #PreSchool

For a list of dates and times of weekly Education chats you can click here.

Celebrating School Counselor Angela Cleveland

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“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt 

Angela is a School Counselor from Monmouth County  , New Jersey She was the 2017 @NJSCA School Counsellor of the year as well as the c0-founder of @reigningit. She has attended several Universities including  the University of Pennsylvania, M.S.Ed., Psychological Services; School Counseling Cert.  Rider University, MA, Organizational Leadership. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), M.Ed., Instruction and William Paterson University, BA English, Education. Honors in Humanities, Supervisor and Director of Guidance Cert. Did you know that she loves creating platforms to elevate the stories and voices of others? If you check out @reigningit you’ll find out why

She wants School Counselors to know that the ASCA Ethical Standards speak to our mission: “School Counselors are advocates, leaders, collaborators and consultants who create systemic change by providing equitable educational access … School Counselors demonstrate their belief that all students have the ability to learn by advocating for an education system that provides optimal learning environments for all students…School counselors as social-justice advocates support students from all backgrounds and circumstances.”

You can find her in #scchat as well as on twitter @angclevland. You can also check out all the amazing things she does on her wonderful blog 

Celebrating School Counsellor Joanne Brisebois

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“You cannot change others ,but you can change yourself.”

Joanne is a High School Counsellor in Calgary, Alberta and got her Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan and her Masters degree in Counselling from the University of West Alabama. Did you know that she loves hiking, connecting and laughing with her team as well as travelling and learning new things?

She wants all  her students to know that the most popular students to successful adults – all have had struggles throughout their lives, and not everyone or everything is at it seems. You might tend to think that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, well it is not. As well, she wants students to know that accessing support or help is considered a strength, not a weakness. We all learn from each other. There is always a solution or steps to move towards that solution each day.

Her message to other School Counsellors listen, support, access help for others and yourself, and take breaks. Counselling is so difficult yet so rewarding. draining and energizing. Empower your students, and your peers — it’s amazing what happens when students/colleagues feel supported and valued. Lastly — love yourself, and look for the positives in people and life — it makes your journey so much more fun. You can find Joanne in #scchat and on twitter @briseboisjoanne.

I AM A SCHOOL COUNSELLOR

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Each day I listen to the stories of a child

I listen with my whole heart

Some days are so complex, yet I am determined to find an opportunity to leave an indelible impression on youth

Only other School Counsellors truly understand what it is that I do

I am fulfilled knowing that one small word or action can make a difference in the life of a child

I am here to HELP

Passion and purpose is why I keep doing what I do

I am a School Counsellor and I could not feel more gratitude that I get to touch the life of a child each day of the school year

I 

Opening A Space and a Place For All In The Heart of The City

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“For our family the library is more than just books it’s a source of inspiration” Ayers Family 

Today I got inspired seeing this on the window of the new Calgary Public Library. What a gift for our city and the children about to grow up in a place where libraries are spaces like never before. You don’t hear anyone saying shhh in this new building.

There are so many exciting features of this new space:

  • Library access FREE
  • Access to information and ideas like never before
  • 30 meeting rooms that you can book out anytime for FREE
  • 220 accessible computers
  • Artist, Historian and a Writer in residence
  • 190 chairs all over the building to sit in
  • 450,000 items to choose from
  • any magazine, newspaper or book you can imagine
  • large print books
  • an interfaith room for anyone who may need to pray during the day
  • 50+ lecture series
  • Resources for  career development
  • You can exhibit your art
  • Accessibility services
  • Audio Video and Post Production Studios can be booked here all for FREE and the public library is

The library also has ways to watch 10 movies each month for FREE. Check out Kanopy here.

How fabulous to see an mazing piece of art inside the library as you first walk in by the exceptional artist Kalum Dan. The library is showcasing his art in this amazing space as you walk in for all to see.

Illustrated by Kalum Teke Dan

I love this new library. How grateful am I that I live in a city where resources like this are open to people of all ages and incomes. What an amazing space that is easily accessible to all by C Train. It is definitely a space and a place that is a must visit if you come to Calgary.

 

Celebrating School Counselor Angela Avery

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                               Be the change you wish to see in the world  Ghandi

Angela is a School Counselor in Biddleford , Maine who graduated from the University of Maine.  Did you know that she loves chocolate, the ocean and taking pictures? She wants students to know that they are ok being who they are. “I accept and celebrate you- gay, transgender, black or brown or white, from a tough family, from another country, using substances, failing classes, skipping or making mistakes. I won’t judge, I’ll help. I’m here for you, I will always accept you, listen and be there. It gets better, I promise.”

She wants other School Counselors to speak up, write, share pictures, follow and connect. Share what’s in your heart, what makes your job special, what may help others feel less alone. Speak your truth, share your ideas, listen and empathize. Don’t settle. Trust your gut. But please, speak… don’t be still, don’t be silent. We need more kind yet honest, sincere yet straightforward change makers in this world, in our communities, in every school, for our children. Lead in your own way, but speak up. You are worth listening to. Using your voice for good is the only way to lead our youth, to shine a light for them to follow so they may also lead. You can find Angela in #scchat and on Twitter @mrsaverybms .

Tonight she will co-lead a chat Promoting Positivity and Self-Esteem in Youth in a World of Bullies, Social Media and Constant Criticism.  You can join her and @counselorpowers at 6:30 MT 8:30 ET on Twitter using the #scchat hashtag. Join her.