OFFICE HOURS
iI AM AT THE SCHOOL MON-FRI 7:45 - 3:45 BUT I AM IN THE CLASSROOMS SEVERAL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. FOR MY ACTUAL OFFICE HOURS PLEASE SEE BELOW:
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Mondays: 7:45 - 8:50, 10:00-3:45
Tuesdays: 10:00 - 11:30
Wednesdays: 7:45 - 8:50, 12:30-3:45
Thursdays: 10:00 - 11:30
Fridays: 10:00 - 11:30, 2:15-3:30
It is my ultimate goal to make sure students know I am a safe person they can come to in the building. I will open my door to all students, and speak to them without any sort of privileged lens. School counselors have the power of safety and confidentiality. Students should know within the four walls of my office they can speak freely and confidentially to me. For that to occur, it is important for students to see my presence and feel welcomed. For example, as an LGBTQ ally, I will always have a safe zone and ally sticker outside my office, as well as warm and inviting decor, so kids know that once they come in and we close that door, they are comfortable talking to me about anything. Within my office, I truly believe we can make a difference.
Serving the needs of students
As a school counselor, I am committed to serving all students. That commitment is more important than ever in today’s unpredictable environment. Counselors and students everywhere, including myself, have felt the impact of the increase in hatred and bias in the United States over the last several years including hate crimes – those based on ethnicity/national origin, religion, gender identity/expression or sexual orientation. According to a Human Rights Campaign survey, in which 50,000 young people participated, 70% of 50,000 reported witnessing bullying, hate messages or harassment based on race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status or gender during or since the 2016 presidential election. Not only are students feeling stigmatized or stereotyped but they are also aware of the school shootings and mental health crisis running rampant across our country. Therefore, it is more important now, than ever, for school counselors to be available and connected to each and every student in the district. So here is my call, to you students, who are feeling concerned or unsafe, please-please-please come visit me and know you will be heard.
School counselors are champions for all students; this is spelled out in ASCA’s Ethical Standards for School Counselors. All students have the right to “be respected, be treated with dignity and have access to a comprehensive school counseling program that advocates for and affirms all students from diverse populations including but not limited to: ethnic/racial identity, nationality, age, social class, economic status, abilities/disabilities, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity emancipated minors, wards of the state, homeless youth and incarcerated youth.”
As an upcoming graduate I have done the work to check my biases at the door and put forth the effort to get rid of those stereotypes that I was raised around. Counselors, and teachers, biases can get in the way of how we're going to work with our students. It is my hope to work with the school and talk about that amongst ourselves, as well as amongst students, to get rid of whatever anger everyone is feeling to best work with each other.
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