Welcome to the new school year!

I am very excited to introduce you to my new counseling blog!  I hope that you will find the information posted here helpful and if there is a topic that you feel I should address please let me know. 

For my first post I would like to give you an overview of my counseling program here at Harold Martin School.  My goal as school counselor is to help all children feel better about themselves so that they are then better able to, and more eager to, learn in the classroom and beyond.  In order to achieve this goal I engage in a myriad of activities throughout the school day.  I am frequently in and out of the classrooms getting to know children but I also spend a block of time in each classroom during the week presenting counseling lessons from the 2^nd Step Program.  The presented lessons focus on learning feelings, empathy skills, impulse control, problem solving and anger management.  Throughout the lessons the students do activities, role-plays, relaxation skills (belly breaths, visualization, yoga) and we enjoy thoughtful discussions.  

I am also available to meet with students weekly or as needed as concerns arise.  All of the students at HMS have the opportunity to eat lunch with me in my office with their peers.  This is a fun way to get students comfortable in my space should they need to talk to me in the future.  I am always available to talk/meet with parents and teachers to give ideas or resources during the school year.  Feel free to call or email me with any questions, concerns or for further information about my program or curriculum.

Please check back frequently to read more!