Reflection of Yourself

Since I started this practicum course, my skills as a counselor have developed and improved. I think that one of my strengths is conveying: empathy, genuine, communication, and my listening skills. However, I think that I still need to work on my doubtful thoughts. I still overthink what I’m going to say to a student during an individual session due to the fact that I’m afraid of asking the wrong questions or to give a wrong impression. As a counselor, I have become more comfortable with: giving guidance lessons, conducting individual sessions, and consulting with the teachers and other faculty members. I think that I have become more open-minded in regards to slightly alternating my approach according to the student and his or her personality.

Post of Choice

For my post of choice, I wanted to talk about how being a counselor is really a continuous learning experience. With new situations and technology developing every day, counselors have to learn how to deal with these novice circumstances. For instance, Facebook and Instagram are now linked to cyberbullying and other issues. When new problems arise such as these, school counselors and teachers have to learn: how to deal with them, familiarize themselves with the school regulations in regards to them, and to develop preventive measures.

Both of my site supervisors have stressed to me the fact that counselors have to continuous adapt as new situations occur. I wonder what other original challenges I will have to encounter as a school counselor. I’m also wondering: what other guidelines and regulations will be established as a result from the issues that have occurred because of technology.     

Time is a Thief.

One metaphor that I prefer to use with students, especially in the high school setting, is: “Time is a Thief.” High school students do not only have to deal with the typical homework assignment deadlines, but also their college related paperwork. Usually, this could involve: ACT testing, college applications, scholarships, grants, other financial assistance, and any other necessary paperwork that’s needed for preparing students for college life. This metaphor could also be used with elementary and middle school students in order to also assist them with their time management and planning skills.

Week 12- Reflection Post

For the post of my choice, I decided to write a reflection piece. 

So far, I have learned a great deal from my practicum experience at both of the school sites. While I was at the elementary school, I was able to participate in a variety of experiences from leading guidance lessons to sitting in on Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings with the faculty and sometimes the parents. Because I spent about 60% of my time at the elementary school site, I will only be spending November and the rest of the semester at the high school site. Up to now, my experience at the high school site has been going very well, and I have been able to gain most of my hours from individual counseling sessions.   

On another note, this semester has been the most stressful for me. Lately, I have been: working a full time job, trying to get all of my hours in at the school sites, finishing up all my weekly homework, keeping up with completing my case notes, and attempting to find the time to study for the exit exam. As a result, I haven’t been getting a lot of sleep, but I keep telling myself that the semester is almost over, which has been helping me with all of the stress. With everything occurring, our wedding planning has been put on hold until the end of the semester. After we found our locations for the ceremony and the reception, William and I both agreed that the rest of the wedding planning can wait until this practicum class is over.   

Continued Learning as a Professional:

Once I have completed this practicum course, I plan to continue to learn and develop myself as a professional in the field of school counseling. After I acquire a school counseling position in my district, I plan to: 

-Maintain the lines of communication with my professional peers, whom I have already met in my school district.

-Meet with other professional peers in my district. I would like to get to know some of the other school psychologists, school counselors, and therapists in my area and to learn from them.   

-Create and maintain a strong rapport and line of communication with the students, parents, and the teachers at the school.

-Create and sustain a detail school counselor webpage in order to clarify my duties as the school’s counselor.  

-Attending district conferences and other training opportunities to continue my education as a professional.  

-Continue to document any important instances with the parents, administrators, and especially the students.

-Collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, and any other faculty members at the school on behalf of the students.

-Be involved with some of the professional organizations, such as: American School Counselor’s Association and the Kentucky School Counselors Association. By doing so, I will be able to stay up to date with current issues, studies, research, and findings related to school counseling.  

-Being open to gaining knowledge from my own experiences by working with students.

-Trying out various and developing new guidance lessons in order to help the students.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has become another form of intimidation and harassment among students. The problem is that teachers, counselors, and parents typically do not witness it because it’s easier for students to conceal it from adults. Children, whom would have been too afraid to bully other students in the past, are now able to hide behind a computer screen and to harass someone else. This situation makes it very difficult for school counselors to catch the students in the act and to intervene among the students. By taking preventive measures, such as classroom lessons and having a strong line of communication with the students, school counselors can deter students from Cyberbullying one another. Having that rapport with the students can help them to feel more comfortable with discussing this issue with the school counselor.