What's Up Wednesday: Conference Wrap-Up

This What's Up Wednesday is a little different. Monday and Tuesday I was able to attend the Lone Star State School Counseling Association Conference. I had so much fun and got a ton of great ideas to take back to campus that I can start using immediately. Also, I got to spend some time with some of my favorite counselor buddies, Pamela and Sally.

Here are just a few of my takeaways from this awesome experience...

We All Need to Grow Up

So, I totally geeked out when I got to attend a breakout session with Julia Cook as the presenter. I have talked about her before because she is one of my favorite counseling authors. Scratch that, now she is my favorite because not only are her books amazing, she is hysterical.

This is her newest book...

In this story, a blue flower gets a new neighbor that is purple. He doesn't like the purple flower. He doesn't want to be anywhere near the purple flower. That purple flower is a nuisance and looks different and likes different things. But here's the deal...All flowers grow roots. All flowers grow the same, no matter what color. The sun shines on every flower regardless of their status in life. Are you listening, America? I am starting to think Julia wrote this book for adults. Children are often the best at looking on the inside and not judging too quickly. This book is a great reminder of acknowledging our unique differences and celebrating them. You don't have to agree with them, you just have to listen respectfully. Speak your own truth and let others speak theirs. 

Heart

Julia Cook also spoke about heart. She cut out a red paper heart and put it on her sleeve. 

Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. Then she hid the heart under her jacket and reminded us that some people hide they heart and never let you know how they feel. But no matter what, when you give someone a mean look or say something to bring them down, they feel sad and they cry inside. Then she folded the heart and turned it upside down like a tear drop.

Then Julia tore the heart apart and threw it on the floor. An apology can act like tape, but if it isn't sincere, it won't stick. Either way, once the heart has been torn it will always have scars.

Anxiety

I got a ton of cute new ideas for my anxiety and worry groups from an awesome set of counselors that work in Keller ISD.

Look at these cute worry dolls made out of pipe cleaners. What a fun, cheap way to get the point across and give kids a visual. Plus, who doesn't love playing with pipe cleaners?

They also gave some great ideas for those bodily-kinesthetic learners. Allowing students to act out their worries helps them connect to them, make them into something silly, and get a sense of power over them.

They asked questions like these...

 If your worry was an animal, what would it look like? 

If your worry was a sound, what would it be?

Another idea I really liked would be great for tactile learners. You tell your students to close their eyes and picture the thing that makes them the most anxious. What does it sound like, look like, feel like? Then you tell them to build a model of their worry using play-doh. Ask them to describe it in detail, get them to connect to it, and then...have them smash it! I have several worries I'd like to smash right now! 

Tacky Box

Tacky Box is a Social Emotional Learning program that teaches students to choose kind words over tacky ones. It is a proactive approach, rather than reactive and has had much success in schools all over the nation. There are sets for girls and for boys with literature included, but the basic idea is that we keep those tacky words in the box. Spread kindness, I think we all need a little bit of it right now.

Skill Sets

One of the presenters, Betty White...

(not this one, unfortunately)

...spoke about the emotional skills sets students are coming to school with. More and more we are seeing emotionally undeveloped students entering our school systems. Technology, parents working long hours, the economy, and media role models are all contributors to this problem. Students are lacking empathy, problem-solving skills, and social awareness. As elementary educators, we are charged with teaching the curriculum, but also with making sure our students are decent human beings. It is so hard for many of us to understand why students are lacking these skills. That doesn't mean we can shirk the responsibility of teaching them. I loved this quote from one of Betty's friends...

"You can't ask kids to color with crayons they don't have in their box." 

We have to teach them these skills before they can fully "color" the way we want them to. What a great reminder that we need to incorporate social-emotional learning into every classroom.

Uplifting Inspiration

This quote was in the back of one of Julia Cook's books, Baditude.

This reminds me of another great quote from an amazing therapist, 

While I will never understand how my dad tried to explain this to stubborn, headstrong, little me, I am appreciative for the advice. Only you get to dictate your reaction to a situation. People can be mean, they can break your heart, they can try to bring you down. YOU get to have the power to react with either despair or hope. I for one, choose hope.

Motivation Monday: How Do They Do It?

I think I have made it pretty clear that I believe our school is the best school in the universe. Year after year, the scores prove that our students are learning and reaching above goals that are set for them by the state. But it's not just the scores. It's the relationships, commitment, and dedication to the craft of education that makes this school a success.

Collaboration makes a team, a school, or a district a cohesive unit and a model of support. We have often had teachers from other schools come out to observe our teams and their teaching strategies. I think that's great, but it hardly ever answers the question, "How do they do it?".

Just the other day someone said to me, "What's in the water over there at Beverly? How are your students performing so well?" I really thought about that question. It's hard for me to put it into words. Also, I have never worked anywhere else, so I don't really know how it compares to other schools. I think I can narrow it down to 3 key things:

1. Is this parking lot ever empty?

School starts at 7:30, but at 6:10 in the morning, the first cars start to pull into the front lot. It is full by 7:00, so if you needed to make a Starbucks pit stop, you might have to park in the back! It's not just the morning. School ends at 3:30, but at 6:30 pm, there are AT LEAST 15 teachers still in the building. Many nights there are teachers here until 8:00 or 9:00. So what on earth are teachers doing in the building hours after their contract time ends? Getting paid overtime? Haha NO!

Our staff doesn't have time to plan, come up with lessons, or finish a project during the school day because they are tirelessly teaching. These type A teachers I work with know that they will not be able to sleep if they haven't figured out the new tip or trick to reach that one student who isn't quite getting it. They plan elaborate lessons that they know will have the greatest impact on their students, even if it takes up a ton of their free time.

2. They never stop learning EVER.

Lifelong learning isn't just something we tell our students about, we model it too. Every single person in this building loves to learn new ideas, share new strategies, and discover new technology. I know some people can't stand professional development, but everyone at our school actually loves it. I know, we are a bunch of weirdos. You can feel the buzz in the air after a great training and see the excitement when someone is trying a new idea.

Our district recently started a digital badges program. It is an optional way to further your technology skills and earn a little reward. Kind of like girl scouts. Well, at one point they mentioned a competition and our staff was off and running with that challenge. I can't tell you how many people have come into my room beaming about something new they learned or they are emailing a new video creation. Their genuine joy over the love of learning is contagious.

3. Their students are their children.

All you need to do to see this in action is to be here on the last day of school. You would think that teachers all over the world rejoice and look something like this on the last day...

I am sure in some places that is true. Here at Beverly, teachers, students, and parents are all in tears. They love each other so much and realize that a special year is over and that they won't see everyone they love for the whole summer. Many teachers organize play dates or fun treats over the summer just so they can see their sweet little babies one more time before they go to the next grade level. We look more like this on the last day...

You'll also hear teachers saying, "Oh are you talking about MY Sally Jo?" And guess what? Sally Jo hasn't been in their class for 3 years, but once you love those babies like your own, you love them forever.

So that's it. There is no magic trick or big secret. It's the culture of this school and the dedication of the staff, students, and community members that make this school unique. I am thankful every day to be a part of it.

Happy Monday!

The Friday Five: Songs That Take You Back

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I recently read an article about music and memory. The author was pondering why she could hear a song from two decades ago and be instantly transported back to that time and place. It really is amazing. There are certain songs that evoke a feeling so substantial that you can hear them and you are 7 years old again dancing without a care in the world.

Psychologists have called this the ‘reminiscence bump’. Many of these song memories are from our first 25 years of life. They believe this is because songs from our past are connected to memories of when we are experiencing things for the first time, becoming independent, and searching for meaning.

I started thinking about what songs bring up the most heartwarming memories for me. I challenge you to think of 5 songs that instantly bring you joy when you hear them. I know it is hard to think of just 5 and when I hear some of your top 5 songs I know I am going to have music FOMO!

Here we go...

1. Bop by Dan Seals

This was the first song I thought of when I read the article. The home video above is one of our family favorites. I think I am about 5 in this video and it basically proves that I have basically been a hot mess since birth. This song almost makes me feel the childhood joy running through my veins. My dad is very musical, he can play almost any instrument. Of course, I wanted to be just like him. I guess we probably should have started with how to hold the guitar correctly. Clearly, I knew none of the words. But check out minute 2:40 to see some real power ballading and a wardrobe malfunction. 

2. Carry On by Pat Green

Hearing this song takes me right back to West Texas. Pat is my favorite Red Raider alum and I have seen him in concert at least 15 times. My favorite concert ever was in Amarillo. TRL (Tracy, Rachelle, and Lexie) took our show on the road and drove from Lubbock to see Pat play. We got to meet him after the concert and took all kinds of pictures. It was before he was big and before Nashville and Uptown started calling. This is one of my favorite college memories. Oh, and we stayed at a Motel 6 and ate Waffle House. #college

3. Shimmer by Fuel

Every time I hear this song, I am transported back to Plano nights, sixteen years old, with my BFF Alison, driving around with the windows down and singing at the top of our lungs. Back then, I drove a red Ford Explorer. It had a Clifford alarm system so naturally, I named that car Clifford. I even got vanity plates put on it. I only drove Clifford for 2 years, but it was the single biggest symbol of my teenage independence.

4. Heaven is a Place on Earth by Belinda Carlisle

Oh, the 80's! I can remember my dad playing this record for me and dancing around my room like a whackadoodle. This ridiculous 80's dance outfit was not for a costume party, but I wish I had something similar now. Leg warmers, suspenders, and tights, oh my! 

5. Surfin' USA by the Beach Boys

Anyone who has known my family for a long time knows I had to choose at least one Beach Boys song. I had a REALLY hard time picking just one, but this one eventually won out. It reminds me of summers in the pool. I mean, who doesn't love "surfing" on a pool  float? I used to play a game where you had to stand up on the float and start singing "Surfin' USA". The challenge was to see how far along in the song you could get before falling over into the water. Side note- I can sing this song really fast.

Also important to know- I didn't listen to the radio until 6th grade. My knowledge of oldies music is vast and it has helped me from time to time at trivia. My dad would love nothing more than to go back in time. He has an entire room of old collectibles...

A Fender signed by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys

Jukebox

Pinball Machine 

Slot Machine- I used to sit here in high school to try to earn extra allowance money :) 

Digger Prize Machine

Coke Machine- it is always stocked with fun different flavored sodas 

 

Side note- I almost picked Kokomo. Am I alone here or did anyone else think the song said, "Your mom's a rotten steak" instead of "Montserrat mystique"?. This picture just feels a little like Kokomo...except the glasses. I also had a red pair just like these. Hello, Sally Jesse Raphael!

That's it for the Friday 5! Join us next time for favorite quotes!