What I learned while setting up my blog.

As a new blogger, I am a little intimidated by this whole process of setting up a blog. While struggling with the technical aspects,  I wanted to make sure my blog had a welcoming, attractive look and was something I would be proud to share. The set up was difficult for me, and I found myself experiencing frustration and doubt about ever starting a blog. My thoughts were going in a dozen directions:  Is this the right way to edit?  Did I just delete all that I did?  What, I misspelled counseling???   What are gadgets anyway and do I really need them?  Is it "live" yet?  And then, of course, I am just a little concerned, no a lot concerned, about falling on my face!

 But as I stop to take a breath and reflect on this whole "setting up the blog" experience I realized, isn't this a lot like what I ask my students to do everyday? To learn and persevere, when mastering a new and unfamiliar or difficult skill?  While social skills may seem a natural thing to you and me, learning to admit you made a mistake, taking responsibility for your actions, saying you're sorry when you have an accident,  or even saying a simple please or thank you  can be a  task as difficult and intimidating for some kids as it has been for me to learn about setting up a  blog.  New skills, whether technological or social, take time, teaching, re-teaching, patience, and practice. 

So come the start of the new school year,when my students and I are working on social skills, I will be reminded of my technology struggles and the frustration I felt at acquiring new skills. And as we discuss and roleplay our social skills lessons, I will think about how my students are feeling and I will  take a little more time to re-teach, role  play,  and provide whatever extra support and encouragement needed for my students to achieve success.

The birth of a blog.

 I have been lurking and reading the blogs of several incredible school counselors for about a year now, and have finally decided to join the family. I have been inspired by School Counselor Blog, JYJoyner Counselor, Scrapbook of a School Counselor, Savvy School Counselor, School Counseling by Heart, and The Helpful Counselor.  Today is the birth of my blog.  It has not been an easy birth.  Truthfully, it has been hard labor, but a real labor of love. The more than 36 hours  it has taken me to deliver this baby is way longer than I was in labor with both my children combined! Thank goodness for summer break!  But, as was the case with the birth of my own babies, after it was over, all I felt was love and pride.  So here she is, please meet my baby, the new kid of school counseling blogs, Exploring School Counseling.

Like her big sisters, Exploring School Counseling will  share tips, lessons, resources, and ideas.  I will also be drawing on my school experiences and that of my fabulous Westside PLC (Professional Learning Community) members to bring to these pages the ideas and happenings at our schools in central Florida. Our monthly meetings have been energizing and a real mental health boost to our group of elementary counselors. Look for the highlights from our Westside monthly minutes to be posted here on the last week of each month during the school year.  So many great things have come out of our PLC and I am looking forward to writing a post to share this awesome networking opportunity with everyone.

Well, the time has come to put this baby to bed.  I have to pack!!!  In all my years as a School Counselor, I have never been to ASCA.  So this year, with ASCA practically in my backyard how could I miss it?  For those of you who are unable to join us, I will be sharing about my ASCA experiences, favorite sessions, and any cool new resources I find right here on Exploring School Counseling.
Until next time...