Going right along with this year’s theme, “Better Together,” we recently sat down with Olivia Carter, 2021 National School Counselor of the year, and discussed plans for this year’s National School Counseling Week coming up Feb. 7 – 11. (Otherwise dubbed, by us, as the Golden Globes for school counselors). Here are some exciting, fresh ideas to inspire you with easy ways to celebrate National School Counseling Week.
First of all, plan to Participate – Hey, we get it. Going on year two of pandemic life has worn us all down. Educators are run thin, and often as school counselors, we are seen as the school’s social/emotional gatekeepers. And do we even need to mention that we’re all, we will say it… TIRED! All the more reason to participate! We need each other more than ever and to hear, “We are in this together, and we are better together.”
We know that school counselors are doing everything from sitting in classes because of teacher shortages to serving student lunches. So do what you can. Yes, even if that is reaching out to other school counselors and saying, “Hey, I’m struggling and overwhelmed. Can we brainstorm easy ways to celebrate National School Counseling Week together?” It may be that you pick only one thing to do this year. That is OK. Participate to the level that you mentally and physically feel you can BECAUSE SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
EDUCATE- This is an excellent opportunity to educate all stakeholders about your role as a school counselor. Olivia shared that some of the school counseling offices in her district still have “Guidance Counselors” as the title above the door. During school counseling week, those will be replaced with “School Counselor.” What a great symbolic way to educate. Take this opportunity to take antiquated ideas about school counselors and their role and inform your stakeholders. Look to the days ASCA has set aside for inspiration. Educate on the importance of the support of other school-based mental health professionals. If you don’t have extra support, all the more reason to educate on their importance.
Educate your administrator. Take a look at that administrator agreement and update where you stand with your data and goals. Educate teachers on ways that you can collaborate with them to benefit students. Go outside the school walls and educate community leaders about ways that they can collaborate with school counselors to support students. We believe strongly in the power of the community. Here’s a podcast we recently recorded on how incorporating community members can transform your advisory council and school counseling program.
ADVOCATE – Remember you are not bragging about yourself. You are not asking for more for you, BUT your program. It is about supporting the students. So use that data and the great excuse of NSCW and share your needs with stakeholders, school board members, and central office staff.
APPRECIATE – Take this opportunity to thank the people who help drive your program forward. A thank you note goes a long way. Food is our love language, so we always incorporate snacks into the week. Use the theme to pair up snacks that are “better together,” such as Peanut butter and chocolate, cookies and milk, chips and salsa, popcorn and coke (some of you may call it pop or soda. Every carbonated beverage is “Coke” down here). The pairings are endless. If you pass out the snacks, use the opportunity to educate with some data, charts, and statistics.
CELEBRATE – Go ahead- celebrate! It’s been a rough couple of years, and you are still at it. You are helping other educators and advocating for students. Take the opportunities offered by ASCA and Instagram those photos. Have some fun.
By the way, if you want to DECORATE, check out these free posters.
