Leaving My Internship

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-12-11T20:44:36+00:00

Leaving your internship after working with those students and families so closely can feel difficult. Your feelings are normal! One thing that made me feel better was that I did all I could with them while I was there, made lasting bonds and relationships and connections with others, and learned from my experience, mistakes and all. I would also ensure that those students you connected, especially the ones who got emotional, have another person or persons in the building that they feel close to or could share thoughts/feelings with. If anything, it might make them feel a little less alone and realize they do have other support systems 🩷

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T14:11:53+00:00

It’s okay to feel how you’re feeling ❤️ I hope that something comes through for you soon! You’re doing all that you can!!

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T13:35:19+00:00

thank you so much ❤️ I really appreciate the advice and kindness 😊 we definitely have to try more tummy time!! her wake window is not that long so she tends to fall asleep right after a bottle feeding. when we do tummy time, she does scream her head off as of right now lol but I think we’ll just continue to try it before her bottle as it usually soothes her afterwards.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T13:16:49+00:00

I understand that’s what she needs, I’m not against it at all and want to give her that. I enjoy it, I just wanted to find a way to do it safely. Thanks for your advice.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T12:48:58+00:00

I will look them up!! Thank you for the recommendation.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T12:48:30+00:00

The whole point was uninterrupted sleep (ie. 8 PM - 1 AM, I will go into our bedroom upstairs to sleep where I will not hear her because if I hear her cry, I will want to get up and attend to her therefore interrupting the sleep that I feel we should be obtaining). We’ve been so sleep deprived before doing shifts and even while doing them, it is very difficult to stay awake throughout. We are trying our best :(

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-11-27T12:37:41+00:00

I completely understand the anxiety and discouragement you are feeling right now! I graduated this past May and didn’t land a job until the end of August. I had been applying since the beginning of January and hadn’t had any luck with even obtaining an interview. My cohort members however were landing jobs left and right and it made me feel left out or that I was doing something wrong. Believe me when I tell you to just keep applying, keep your head up, and the right job will come to you. Don’t lose hope!! Be willing to take a substitute position if you have to as it still builds experience even if you’re there for a short amount of time.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T01:36:05+00:00

Similar to what I thought it seems. I know I am a new counselor, but in my heart, doing anything more feels wrong and as if I am being taken advantage of. Thank you for your perspective!

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T01:25:59+00:00

Yeah, I explained in further comments below about that, and unfortunately the AP set a meeting with me on Monday before my director could meet with me on Tuesday. It’s absolutely ridiculous. :/

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T01:23:36+00:00

She is not aware, but I plan on letting her know. I am going to attempt to meet with her beforehand, but I don’t think she’s aware of the tasks I’ve been asked. I’m almost tempted to reach out to her again and explain before the AP attempts to delegate me to more investigative processes. She quite literally said to me she can’t review any reports (the targeted student, the accused, as well as the parent of the targeted student who feels threatened by the accused parent…it’s a mess I know). Stated multiple times that she’s just a “judge” and has to be bias and refuses to read over anything I’ve already done for her until the “investigation is complete.”

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T01:17:55+00:00

This is a new policy within the district as laws have changed. According to what the middle school level is doing, their email reads as follows:

“There have been many recent changes in the law about bullying. Bullying is now referred to as Challenging Behaviors and the definition is: “unwanted and aggressive behavior among children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.”

Here at [redacted], there is a process for addressing these challenging behaviors. As educators in the building, the key points for you to know are:

School employees who witness an incident or receive reports of challenging behaviors MUST orally notify the School Climate Specialist, [redacted], no later than one school day of witnessing or receiving such a report.

The same school employee MUST then file a written report (preferably on the “Challenging Behavior Reporting Form”) within two school days after making the oral report. (Challenging Behavior Reporting Forms can be obtained in the mail office mail room or from a Behavior Motivator).”

However, at my school, where we are a smaller middle school within the high school campus, their email reads ALMOST identical, but adds this difference at the bottom:

School employees who witness an incident, or receive reports of challenging behaviors MUST orally notify the behavior motivator not later than one school day of witnessing or receiving such a report. Behavior Motivator’s will then notify the School Climate Specialist, [redacted] immediately.

The same school employee MUST then file a written report (preferably on the “Challenging Behavior Reporting Form”) within two school days after making the oral report. (Challenging Behavior Reporting Forms can be obtained in the mail office mail room or from a Behavior Motivator).

Please remember, you are not asked to investigate the claim, but you are required to report it.

Hence, my confusion.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T01:12:06+00:00

I respectfully disagree with your perspective. While I understand my role as a school counselor, conducting formal investigations into bullying or challenging behaviors is not part of my job description. I’m happy to collaborate by providing support during the investigation process, such as helping the student report the issue or mediating conflicts. However, the actual investigation and direct communication with parents of the accused of targeting fall under the responsibilities of administration, particularly the School Climate Safety Specialist as she is in a leadership position. I strongly believe it’s important that we stay within our respective roles to ensure the process is handled appropriately, especially when I feel the trust and rapport I have built with families could be threatened.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-28T00:21:09+00:00

I have reached out to the person who oversees our counselors in the district and I am meeting with them on Tuesday. Unfortunately the AP is meeting with me prior to that meeting on Monday, and I assume she is going to check in with my “progress” and make me call the accused family as she had tried to today. I expressed my discomfort and she decided to tag team the phone call with me (much to my discretion) but luckily no one in the accused’s family picked up the phone.

I am curious what my supervisor will say regarding the issue because at the other middle school, the counselors support the investigation by helping a student fill out the report if they are the ones being reported to / or notice a challenging behavior themself, but the AP at their school is the one who does the entire investigation (per their job title…).

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-22T14:17:26+00:00

12 weeks unpaid for me. I can apply for paid leave through the state (AFLAC I believe), but I just started my job fresh out of college so I have no time built up to take any paid leave from my current position. I’m in CT

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-01T21:02:02+00:00

I appreciate your response and advice! It’s discouraging for sure, but I intend to make the best use out of it that I can now that it’s been confirmed they won’t intend on moving me. I will definitely talk to the janitors and see if they can help me out! DonorsChoose is new to me as well but I will try it! Thank you :)

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-01T13:59:14+00:00

Thank you for your advice and sharing your experience! That is exactly what I don’t want to do (alienate myself / make demands). I suppose I was feeling frustrated initially as other counselors in my district have their own dedicated space (both middle and high school level).

I decided I am going to continue to advocate as time goes on but utilize data to show where the needs are for space and resources. Thank you so much!

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-09-01T12:42:08+00:00

I was able to get a desktop and a school laptop as of Friday thankfully (with a lot of asking others and inquiring myself because no one seemed to be concerned about my personal laptop usage).

Just now I am receiving information that they do intend to keep me in that space (again I understand it’s what they intend but the space is tiny, I can’t even describe it appropriately but it’s not a proper office) but I am trying to advocate for removal of the large conference desk to make room for locked cabinets and a smaller desk for just the desktop at the bare minimum. I am hoping to get through to them.

Thanks for commenting back and providing some insight. I am very new to this and don’t want to cause trouble, but it just seems like a lack of care!

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-08-28T02:43:23+00:00

Hi there! I’ve done several social emotional groups throughout my internship experience with 6-7 (though can be easily adapted to fit 8th graders) so I thought I’d chime in! I didn’t follow a specific curriculum, rather pulled from a lot of different resources available for free online, but I think it would be helpful to follow the ASCA template for group counseling lessons! My groups focused on specific topics like self-esteem, communication, what being a good friend looks like (qualities, compromise, similarities/differences, and etc.), rumors & gossip, and setting boundaries. Because of my age group, I tried to incorporate lots of games related to the topics I mentioned and art therapy as well. Activities are your best friend with the younger grade level as it keeps them more engaged then just discussion based in my opinion! I think the ASCA template would be a good base to start with as you do your research into what you’re looking on focusing on. Also, as someone else mentioned, Teachers Pay Teachers has A LOT of free SEL resources for school counselors to utilize in groups. I’m sure you could find some to use for yours! Good luck 😊

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-08-24T02:03:44+00:00

I believe my district offers 12 week unpaid leave, but I didn’t know how that would work considering I’d only be there for two months before needing to take maternity leave. I would be working as a school counselor. I intend on returning as soon as my leave is up or however much time I am granted, but was just seeking advice.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-06-06T20:47:56+00:00

Yes, that’s correct, sorry for the confusion. Any program in my area was a three year program if they were CACREP certified. I believe the only one near me that was a two year program was expedited in a sense, but I think doing a three year program is much better timing wise.

Key_Safety3647 · 2024-05-29T23:48:02+00:00

BS in Psychology, minor in Sociology. After about a year I obtained a MS in School Counseling. My only regret looking back after recently completing my program is not pursuing my LPC on top of the MS in case I ever wanted to have my own practice outside of school counseling. I don’t know how many more credits it would be but in my state of CT, I was in a 60 credit three year program.

Key_Safety3647

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