Take Care of Yourself

Hello Fellow Counselors,

Sorry for the delay of this post, but I was "down and out" for a few days last week, but nothing that a "Z-pack" and some rest won't cure.  I didn't realize how tired I was though, until my body actually stopped, so don't forget to take care of yourselves guys.  We get so busy and and our bodies go into overdrive, but remember it's the only one you've got, so rest every once in awhile.  

Now, to catch you up.  My parent meeting that I got to be in charge of was very successful.  As a teacher I've been in hundreds of these meetings, as I'm sure most of you have also, but it is definitely different being in charge and running the meeting. My counselor had totally prepared me and had made a list of all the things I needed for the meeting, so everything went smoothly and it was such a rush!  There were a few items that I probably wouldn't have thought to have ready on my own and that certainly helped a lot.

Last week we also gave the TAKS release tests from last year to our entire campus, so I helped with all of the test prep materials and teacher boxes.  Not too fun, but part of the job, and at least it contributed to my hours.  

Well, after the big chill, the sun is shining brightly and it is incredibly beautiful today, so if you are reading this, you are probably working too, so I suggest that we turn shut down our computers, step away from our desks, and enjoy this amazing God-given Sunday.  I am, and oh "Happy Valentines Day."  

Fly Baby Bird Fly!!

Good "Chilly" Afternoon Counselors,

I have to tell you I'm SO excited about the silliest thing.  Well, one of our counselors has to be in a meeting at Central Office in the morning and there was a parent conference already scheduled for her to conduct.  So, yes you guessed it, she asked ME to take over the parent conference.  She cleared it with our principal and he said yes, so everything is good to go!  I know it's a baby step, but it's an exciting baby step.  My first "solo" flight.  She gave me a list of everything I'll need for the conference, so I'll let you know how it goes.  Up, up and away!

The Storm Has Calmed

Well fellow counselors, I just finished reading all of the updated blogs and I must say that our "tide" has changed since the first week of classes, and definitely for the better.  I know mine has.  I've had another productive workday and instead of just "keeping my head above the water" I think I am actually swimming a little.

Dana I am SO glad to hear things went well with Dr. McGlamery, but not surprising.  I can't wait for her to come to my school. I brag to everyone about how easy she is to work with and how she has made this graduate experience an incredible one!  We are very lucky prospective counselors.

My counselors have been very accomodating with me.  Last week they turned over the entire first sememster failures to me.  I got to construct a failure letter to send home to all of the parents, which my principal approved, so I am working on getting them all finished and ready to mail out.  Also, they are letting me sit on the meetings with these students who are at-risk of failing for the year.  I am at the middle school level and they have contacted one of our elementary school counselors and I am taking a personal day to go shadow that counselor so I can get a taste of counseling at the elementary level as well.

I can't believe it's almost February.  The semester is flying by already and I'm getting so excited.  So take heart fellow counselors; yes there is a calm before the storm, but there is also a calm after the storm!! We will prevail!!!

Thankful for the Yucky Weekend Weather!

Hello Fellow Counselors,

Now if you know me, and most of you don't, I am NOT a rainy weather-type gal, or even cloudy for that matter.  I absolutely LOVE the sunshine and blue sky.  But this past weekend was an exception.  I really needed to get ahead (or just get my head above water) in all of my counseling classes, so needless to say the weather was not a temptation to stray from my focus.

I AM however seriously reconsidering my workload this semester.  I am doing this practicum, taking two other classes, and working full-time during TAKS season!  What was I thinking??  Oh yeah, that I want to finish!!!  Well, I'm trying to get organized and be efficient, but truthfully I didn't know there would be so many assignments in Practicum.  Creating this blog almost made my head spin, so I can't even begin to wrap my head around the autobiographical movie yet!  WHEW, well that was my ranting and raving for the week.  Thanks for letting me vent and oh look outside, SUNSHINE!  Yay, onto sunnier and brighter days!



The Door to My Heart

There have been many open doors in my life; the open door to the love of my life oh so many years ago now, the open door of the nursery, watching my babies sleep, the open door of my bedroom in the middle of the night that my kids ran through when they were scared, the open door to my heart when someone's had been broken, the open doors in my career that got me where I am today.  But there was always a stronger power, a quiet passion that called me to listen, especially to teenagers.  This my friend was a longtime desire to become a counselor, which is where you join me today.



My most recent door of opportunity opened when I began this program at Angelo State.  I graduated from Texas Tech, so when I saw that Tech had bought ASU, I knew it was a perfect fit! Right now I am the Reading Specialist at Smithson Valley Middle School and I love my job, but more on that later.

I have gone in and out of many doors in my life, but none more important than being a mom, so I would like to share them with you right from the beginning.  Here are the "joys of my life!"