School Counselor Blog

(As featured in the Allegheny County Counselors Association June Newsletter) As a student, I always enjoyed gaining ideas from other counselors and learning about what they did on a daily basis in their job. I wanted to share my experiences and ideas with others and create a space where others could share their experiences and ideas. That is when I discovered the art of blogging. Blogging is a great way to get connected with other professional school counselors, education professionals, and anyone who wants to learn more about the field of counseling and what counselors do. But, what exactly is blogging? Blogging is an online space created by an individual or group. In relation to school counseling, blogging is a great way to enhance the counseling community, share ideas, and update others on information. Through School Counselor Blog , I am able to get feedback from counselors and interested parties all over the country. I have posted reflections about lessons I have taught and ...

I taught a lesson on tolerance to a group of third and fourth graders. I showed the students a kiwi and asked if anyone could tell me what it was. All of the students had seen and tasted a kiwi before. I asked them what they thought of kiwis when the first saw one. Students gave descriptive words such as "nasty, hairy, and ugly." Since the students have tried kiwis before, I focused the discussion on how it feels to be judged by the outside. Students commented that they felt sad and kind of angry when people judged them by the outside. I asked students what lesson we could learn from kiwis. One student stated that the lesson that we learn from kiwis is "don't judge a book by it's cover." He commented that just because a book may be strange on the outside doesn't mean it isn't a good book. I gave the students an opportunity at the end to have some kiwi fruit that I brought. I also gave the students a bookmark that is pictured. The front reads...

How does respect grow? I taught a lesson about respect to a group of fifth graders. I decided to use a flower theme since, it was almost May and "April showers bring May flowers." I made a poster with construction paper letter and flower cut-outs. The message on the poster stated, "How does respect grow?" I brought in a flower and asked students if they could tell me what a flower needs to grow. Some answers included, water, dirt, air, sunlight. I explained to students that just like flowers, people need water, air, and sunlight to grow too.  I asked the students if anyone could tell me what the word "thrive" means. One student stated, "to do really well." I explained that people need food, water, and air to survive, but in order to thrive people need to be treated well and respected. I asked students if they could think of any examples of how they could respect someone else. Some of the answers included, make my mom breakfast, be kind...

I graduated on May 1, 2009 from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a Master's of Education in Secondary School Counseling and K-12 Certification. Master's of Education! I truly enjoyed my time as a long-term substitute school counselor. I met so many amazing students, faculty, and staff. I will greatly miss all the wonderful people I worked with. I do not see graduation as the end; it is just the beginning! I am excited for the new experiences and challenges I will experience in the future. Are you a new school counselor? Comment below,  email me ,  tweet , or share on the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page ! Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at  School Counselor Blog , a place where school counselors share innovative ideas,  creative lesson plans,  and quality resources.  Contact Danielle via  email , follow her on  twitter , and become a fan of the  School C...

"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as i live, it is my privlege to do for it whatever I can," by George Bernard Shaw This poster was featured in the Spring 2009 issue of Teaching Tolerance Magazine . I love this quote and wanted to share it with others! If you click on the poster you will be directed to the Teaching Tolerance website ! What are your favorite posters or quotes? Comment below,  email me ,  tweet , or share on the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page ! Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at  School Counselor Blog , a place where school counselors share innovative ideas,  creative lesson plans,  and quality resources.  Contact Danielle via  email , follow her on  twitter , and become a fan of the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page .

Stay tuned for my reflections on an Earth Day lesson for 5th graders ! How do you celebrate Earth Day at school? Comment below,  email me ,  tweet , or share on the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page ! Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at  School Counselor Blog , a place where school counselors share innovative ideas,  creative lesson plans,  and quality resources.  Contact Danielle via  email , follow her on  twitter , and become a fan of the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page .

"Imprisoned Spirits" presentation at PSCA (L to R: Dr. Bill McHenry, Clare Kenny, Natasha Nayduch, Danielle Conrad and Dr. Marcy Douglass) At the Pennsylvania School Counseling Association (PSCA) Conference, my professors, fellow school counseling colleagues, and I presented our work with children of incarcerated parents. Our session was titled "Imprisoned Spirits: Leading Change in Helping Students with Incarcerated Parents." We had a great turn out. I was excited by people's interest in our topic and their willingness to work with children of incarcerated parents. My groups of children of incarcerated parents are coming to an end this coming week. We have our last session on Monday and our party on Friday. The students are so excited about the party on Friday, but are sad for the groups to end. Comment below,  email me ,  tweet , or share on the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page ! Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified...