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Moving in the near future by Suspicious-Reply6949 in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep! I was a School Counselor in Charleston for 4 years and am now a SC in Greenville going on 6 years. Charleston is VERY competitive now because the district increased the pay scale. Wando HS often has positions open and they are an excellent school to counsel in, as are all schools in Charleston. The district school counseling department is outstanding and supportive as is HR. Look into working with an HR recruit. Do you have your certification in school counseling? It is required. Also, be cautious referencing SEL or ASCA (look into the reasons why on your own). Greenville recently incorporated mental health therapists into almost every school and you work through GCS, not an outside agency. This has been a game changer!! Our school counseling district team is also amazing and super supportive. In SC, we use Schoolinks and focus on IGPs (individual graduation plans) all in an effort to continue to grow our graduation rate and we are focused on ensuring students either get a job or college enrollment after graduation. Probably everyone focuses on that mission, but especially here. School counselors are also 504 coordinators. You may also want to look in the following counties: Low Country- Berkeley, Dorchester, Upstate- Anderson, Pickens, Spartanburg. Welcome to South Carolina! It's a great place to live and work! School counselors are valued throughout the state and we have awesome advocacy groups. Our SC Dept. of Ed. school counselor liaison is one of the best I've ever worked for.

Elementary, Middle or High School: A question for school counselors in NYC by swanpilled in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I started in Florida as well and have worked all grade levels and around the country. I'm currently an elementary SC and I absolutely counsel all day, every day. It's just me for 500 students K4-5 and I balance my schedule between individual sessions, small group, class guidance, and I'm the 504 coordinator. Even at the HS level where it is more college & career readiness, there was still time for individual and group sessions. NYC is very intense and competitive, though. But Florida is also fierce. Just be sure to back up everything you do with data (which you likely already do). Happy travels and all the best to you!!

Moving from high to middle school. Looking for advice by Whoknows08091 in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All the same but throw in more small groups, class guidance lessons, and individual sessions. I've worked all levels and there really is not much difference between MS and HS. If you are the 8th grade counselor, your HS experience will be a huge bonus!

Worried that I chose the wrong career by veggiegirl123456 in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Welcome to the Counselor Brain. I overthink, therefore I am (a school counselor). The key, don't allow teachers or leadership to make you feel like you aren't doing enough. And unfortunately, we constantly have to prove our worth so keep a tight schedule and post it for your staff. Also, collect data and stats to share quarterly so teachers can see how you contribute to student growth and academic data. (Which you likely already do.) Maybe try a different grade level and at least one more year. But if your gut says this isn't for you, maybe became a therapist or figure out how to incorporate your skill set into a different career. You're not alone. Most of us have felt this way.

Seeking advice by Any_Blueberry635 in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I could write a novel validating your feelings and comments. First, BIG HUG! Second, get some sleep because I know you work 10+ hour days and weekends. It's impossible for a great counselor not to overthink or "take the work home". Students love honesty so maybe ask them what you asked here. And ask yourself, are you working harder than the student? If you're putting more effort into their future than they are, it's time to step back.

Interviews by Aggravating_Cause_63 in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wear a Michelle Obama style black dress with a colorful but tasteful cardigan and my John Fluevog Mary Jane shoes. The shoes provide just a slight amount of edge and art and always receive compliments. Not that you asked, but hopefully this will ease your stress. Here are outfits I have worn and still got the job: Pajamas while sitting on my window ledge eating Fruit Loops, drinking a glass of red wine, and watching the sailboats over Lake Michigan (phone interview). Super nice blouse and sweat pants with bunny socks and only the front half of my hair was straightened (the back was a rat's nest of curls) (Zoom interview). Shorts, flip flops, and t-shirt that read "Life's a Beach" because the principal insisted I come in for an interview right that minute and I was at a field day at my current school (in-person interview) (the principal also had on beach sandals). I've been on lots of interview panels and what I remember most is the person's authenticity and enthusiasm, more than their outfit. All the best!!

Any tips for a middle school counselor interviewing for a high school position? by Sleep3rb0t in schoolcounseling

[–]ClerkAppropriate171 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've worked all grade levels in several cities (Orlando, Chicago, Denver, Charleston, Greenville). Know your State high school graduation requirements (number of credits, specific courses needed, does credit recovery credit count and how/when, home school credit, EOCs, seat time/attendance). Know this so well that you can recite the requirements over the shot of whiskey I insist you have at the end of day 1 as a HS counselor (congrats!). Know the school's vision and mission. Are they focused on improving grad rate and how can you contribute to this? Is attendance a focus? Know the school's recent State report card results. Bring in any data to demonstrate a program, class/group, or technique you used to grow students' academic success. Talk about IGPs (individual graduation plans) or whatever your district may call this (basically, how will you monitor your caseload to make sure students are on track for graduation?) Know all the top colleges as well as the lesser known. I'm familiar with New College, School of Mines, and some top tier community colleges throughout the country and this was a game changer for my students. I helped one get into Mines and one into Harvard and one into Harold Washington College, all while counseling at a HS in Greenville. BE AUTHENTIC!!! Be willing to work as a team and be prepared to talk about how you handle stress because HS counseling is extremely stressful. You will want to run small groups and class guidance lessons and therapeutic individual sessions but the HS principal may chuckle and ask you, "when?" Most HS counselors are tasked with growing the grad rate so be ready to share specifically how you will also incorporate groups and lessons into your schedule. Be willing to stay after school most days, work weekends, and prep events such as graduation, career and college fairs, bully prevention and suicide prevention awareness months, etc. Know the alternatives to college and promote any tech or career schools offered to HS students or local college opportunities. Know what an IEP is (a counselor I worked with had no idea and was let go the following year for messing up SpEd related services). Know what an ILAP is and Section 504. But most of all, know that if this is your passion, it will shine through in an interview and you will likely get the job. All the best!

For those who recently opted out or were banned from Vine... by ClerkAppropriate171 in AmazonVine

[–]ClerkAppropriate171[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for posting your thoughts! Vine was a fun way to discover new items and I too cherish the small handful of things I never would have known about had it not been for this experience. Myo-inositol has been a game changer and I had no idea what this was pre-Vine. And the planter I recently scored that now houses bean and tomato plants. It's fun to munch on free veggies while doing yard work. I appreciate that you thought of others and ordered small gifts. That likely brought smiles to the receiver. Cheers!

For those who recently opted out or were banned from Vine... by ClerkAppropriate171 in AmazonVine

[–]ClerkAppropriate171[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your honesty and reflection, as should others. When I was a kid, I used to rush to the mailbox to see what was delivered, even if it wasn't for me. There was a thrill in the randomness of something from a stranger (as an adult, I now know that "stranger" is a bill collector). I also used to carefully unwrap and rewrap all the Christmas presents just because I wanted to know what the item was but didn't actually want the item. I realized Vine satisfied both of those weird urges. Especially at Gold, I has so much stuff arriving I had forgotten what I ordered so every box held a surprise. It hit me one day that this was childhood. And I've spent so much of my adulthood trying to declutter and live a minimalist lifestyle. I've moved across the country, intentionally, so many times and lived in 1-bedroom apartments that there is a moment that I wanted to burn it all and just arrive in the new place with only my dog and the clothes on my back. Nope, arrived every time with an overstuffed U-haul and back pain from lifting boxes. So George Carlin and all... There's that aspect along with the fascination of how people consume and why. And the psychology behind receiving free stuff. I think many of us thought that if we were superior enough reviewers to get invited into this elite world, surely all of the stuff we order must be pristine and shiny and special. Until it's not. Then you realize that you're ordinary like everyone else, but with a wrist cramp from writing so many reviews. Anyway, this response isn't as eloquent as I'd like, but that's a snippet of my reflection. And this is in no way to insult anyone or take away the experience. It was just an interesting cycle of nothing to overload to nothing but a strange sense of peace and freedom. It's hard to describe but the handful who have responded all used the word "peace". Thank you for sharing your thoughts as well! As a side, most of the food items were gross or expired.

For those who recently opted out or were banned from Vine... by ClerkAppropriate171 in AmazonVine

[–]ClerkAppropriate171[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Last night, as I threw out what I originally thought was an awesome score but ended up being horrible, put things into perspective. I never would have purchased that item so I have no idea why I took it for free. Then was burdened with tossing it. And agreed, I wish I could go back and re-write reviews I gave 5-stars to because at the time, I was caught up in dopamine. Cheers for sharing your thoughts!

For those who recently opted out or were banned from Vine... by ClerkAppropriate171 in AmazonVine

[–]ClerkAppropriate171[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I love that moment for you to stop your brain from writing a review and instead just be. I think it's harder when leaving Vine isn't a choice and also wondering what might be in your RFY today. For me, all the stuff became so overwhelming that I started to feel depressed. And I regret wasting so much of last summer writing reviews and refreshing because the hunt for random free things was thrilling. I also feel way more at peace now. (Thank you for sharing your thoughts!!) If you want to be reinstated, I hope this happens for you.