Creating Engaging Lessons: Best Practices for Elementary School Counselors
Crafting engaging and interactive lessons for young elementary age students is both an art and a science. As counselors, we have the unique opportunity to captivate young minds, instill valuable lessons, and foster a love for learning. Here are four best practices for creating dynamic lessons while avoiding common mistakes. Creating an Engaging Lesson: Set…
Ten Secrets to Effective Parent Communication
Communicating Effectively with Parents As the school year begins, an important part of starting school for every counselor is establishing communication with parents. This is especially true in the younger years but even in later years, counselors have a responsibility to keep parents informed. I know you probably got into this field because you enjoy…
A Positive Mindset and Starting Kindergarten
Tackling those Back to School Blues It’s back to school and there is excitement in the air! As the school counselor in an elementary school, the beginning of school was always a mixed bag of smiles and tears. I frequently spent lots of time comforting crying children who missed mom, dad, brother, sister or their…
Begin School with Intention-Plan for Reflection
How Intention and Reflection Determine Learning What was the most memorable and significant year of school for you? The first year you attended school? The year you starred in the class play? The year you won an award? The year you graduated? Research has shown that an important part of learning in any environment is reflecting on our…
3 Tips for a Winning Job Interview
Each spring and summer, lots of school counselors are graduating from school and looking for their first job or perhaps leaving one counseling job and looking for a new one. What do both of these things have in common? When interviewing for a job (of any kind) your first order of business is to sell…
Making School Year 2024-2025 the Best Year Ever
Create an Intentional year What can we do to get off to a great start and create the conditions necessary for a new beginning? There’s a lot! Five Strategies for a Magical and Intentional Year Set an intention–-Not to get all woo-woo on you here but this is a useful technique for whatever you are doing that…
Advice for the First Year School Counselor
Whether you are a first year counselor, someone who is starting a counseling job at a new school or a seasoned school counselor who has been at it for years, there is a always a lot to learn. Here are some tips that everyone can use: Focus on being a guide…not a hero. You can’t…
Emotional Regulation and Nurturing the Good Inside
Every child brings a unique set of challenges and triumphs. For elementary school counselors, dealing with behavioral issues, emotional hurdles, and social struggles, it can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. However, there’s a powerful concept that can transform how we approach these difficulties: “good inside.” Clinical psychologist, Becky Kennedy’s insightful book, Good Inside, introduces…
Kids and the Healing Power of Nature
What if a walk in a green environment could rewire brains, calm anxiety, and stave off mental health problems? I don’t have to tell you that mental health concerns among children is at an all time high. From academic stress to social pressures and familial issues, the weight of these challenges can be overwhelming. Additionally,…
What People Say About The Wyatt Books
kind words from educators, parents, and kids!
"Going to kindergarten is a milestone for everyone and the beginning of the year is usually filled with excitement and angst. Wyatt the Wonder Dog addresses the typical concerns that most children have in a sweet and relatable way. Kindergarten really is fun!"
"Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Teamwork is another great example of helping kids improve their social skills. It teaches kids the power of working together and how much better we are when we work as a community"
"[Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Mindset] This book is funny! It's dogs doing things that only people do! I learned to try new things."
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Giving is a delightful book that teaches kids (and reminds adults, as well) that generosity is possible no matter how old, young, rich or poor we are. This is a powerful message and an engaging story that every child will love.
~Jen McDonough, author of Living Beyond Rich
Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Friendship teaches not only friendship and making connections, but also how to become successful at problem solving. Great for school counselors, teachers and families. Bravo!
Sharissa Shatten~ School Counselor
Feeling left out? Need help getting along with friends? Wyatt the Wonder Dog Learns about Cooperation weaves important life skills into engaging story telling. Join Wyatt as he learns how to be the superhero in his group of friends by using cooperation and compromise.
~MaryFrances Gonzalez MACCCSLP
Have you ever had a friend that did some things that you disagreed with? Wyatt does and he doesn't know what to do about it. Join Wyatt as he learns that being honest with his friend is the best and only way to solve the problem. A great story!
~Lynn Hughes M.Ed. school counselor
If you've ever lost your lunch money or misplaced your favorite toy, you can relate to Wyatt the Wonder Dog. This adorable story offers simple, helpful ideas that kids and parents can use to make life less stressful and more fun!
~Erin K. Casey, author
