Elementary School Counseling
  • Home
  • Marissa's Blog
  • Individual Counseling
  • Small Group Counseling
  • Classroom Counseling
  • School-Wide Programs
  • Storybirds
  • Store
  • Resources
  • Contact Information

A Little Perspective

2/20/2015

6 Comments

 
Picture
Ohio has started a new testing program called PARCC and AIR, which involves standardized testing over the course of 4 months. School counselors (and MANY other school and district personnel) are being pulled from their jobs to coordinate schedules and complete an overwhelming amount of paperwork. We also stop all services that may interfere with administering the tests. The rules of these tests are new, so that requires additional training that takes more support away from students. Our once energetic, positive climate has turned into a frantic buzz of stress and anxiety.
It's been a huge adjustment for me. Now, I have to walk around my building apologizing to students and staff for cancelling groups, rescheduling sessions, and skipping classroom lessons. I feel like a failure and a disappointment most of the time.

Now is the time for a little perspective. In the grand scheme of things, these tests don't matter. These limitations have been placed on all Ohio schools (and other states dealing with the same tests) and all we can do is take a deep breath and do the best we can with what we've been given. It doesn't mean that we stop fighting for our students - we just have to accept those things we cannot change immediately.

Last week, my school had a Valentine's dance for 4th-6th grade students (no dates, just fun). Before the dance, I was upset about the lack of time I had to be a REAL school counselor and was dealing with the stress of being pulled in too many directions - the last thing I wanted to do was add more to my plate by chaperoning a dance, even though it was my choice to do so. I cannot tell you how happy I am that I went to the dance. It was wonderful seeing my students in a more relaxed setting, dancing like goofballs and smiling like this was the best night of their lives. I was able to enjoy the people they are and not the "data" they represent on paper. This is why I wanted to work with children - they are fun and make my life brighter with their unique perspective on life.

I figured that many of you might be in the same boat, plugging the little holes before you are engulfed in a sea of negativity, stress, and responsibilities. So, here are some reminders about the beauty of our students:

1.

I read this back in November and couldn't stop laughing. It's all about jokes that kids make that don't exactly make sense. I guarantee a laugh!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

2.

This post from August 2013 definitely brightens my bad days:
Picture

3.

I have a YouTube channel with a lot of playlists, but one that is particularly appropriate for this post is "Brighten Your Day."
Picture
6 Comments
Steve Capecci link
3/27/2015 10:16:11 pm

"Now, I have to walk around my building apologizing to students and staff for cancelling groups, rescheduling sessions, and skipping classroom lessons. I feel like a failure and a disappointment most of the time. "

Marissa- I'm glad you shared about your experience as stated in the quoted section above. Reading this is validating because this is what happens to my efforts as a school counselor most of the year. It really cuts you down as a professional and makes you struggle with if you can make a difference. However, I keep going because I think I can make a difference and even gradually influence how the school counselor is used in the school house. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Marissa Rex link
7/5/2016 05:59:51 pm

Thank you so much, Steve! That means a lot! :)

Reply
Amber
3/30/2015 05:18:23 am

What a great blog entry. Thank you for sharing your frustrations with us. Your bright/positive outlook gives the rest of us the much needed push to get through the day and craziness of what our positions have become. Know that you are not alone in this. Hang in there - I'll miss your regular blog entries but understand that self-care (and self-preservation) is much needed! I speak for all of your readers when I say, I hope you'll be back! Take care!

Reply
Marissa Rex link
7/5/2016 06:00:33 pm

Thank you, Amber! I'm hoping to be back more soon, but we'll see :)

Reply
Barbara Altman link
7/9/2016 07:16:40 pm

What a delightful entry to your blog!

Reply
Marissa Rex link
3/12/2017 01:32:53 pm

Thank you! :)

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    My name is Marissa Rex and I am a 1st Grade teacher and an elementary school counselor from Ohio. I hope you enjoy my site!

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Academic Support
    Advocacy
    Anger
    Awards And Recognition
    Beginning Of The Year
    Behavior Management
    Book
    Bullying
    Career
    Classroom Counseling
    Collaboration
    Contests
    Creativity
    Deployment
    Divorce
    Documentation
    Feelings
    Friendship
    Gifted Education
    Giveaways
    Grade Level Transitions
    Grief
    Guest Blog Post
    Illness
    Incarceration
    Individual Counseling
    Interview
    Lgbt
    Linky Party
    Meetings
    Moving
    Natural Disasters
    Parent Involvement
    Positive School Behaviors
    Professional Development
    Reviews
    School Counseling Office
    School Staff
    School Wide Program
    Self Care
    Self Esteem
    Service
    Small Group Counseling
    Testing
    Video
    Video Podcast
    Vistaprint
    Volunteer Opportunity
    Website Recommendation


    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Follow Me on Pinterest

    Tweets by @ESCorg

    Picture
    Picture
    Photobucket
    Picture
    Picture
    Teach.com
    Picture

    Picture
    Picture

    Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
2012-2017 Elementary School Counseling.org
FAQ        Contact        About