I was honored recently when Jen Viola asked to interview me for her podcast! I hope you will take time to subscribe to her podcast. You can find her on ITunes or the link below. It is a great resource for counselors and teachers. Jen is delightful and shares her dedication for teaching with us. I love how she encourages us in her closing to "Go change someone's life today" http://memoirsofaclassroom.libsyn.com/podcast
I decided to get my Masters in Counseling after teaching for almost 8 years. Originally I didn't plan on leaving the classroom. I wanted to get my degree in counseling so that I would be a better teacher. But, inspired by a fabulous professor and mentor, upon graduation I decided to try elementary school counseling and did so for another 25 years.
I loved being a counselor but there were some years that I longed for my own class and its simplicity. I know there are some teachers out there saying, "What? She has lost touch, there is nothing simple about being a classroom teacher." The thing is, though, at the end of a year the teacher says farewell to her kids and looks forward to the next school year, starting fresh. Counselors, on the other hand, follow the students from kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade. Working with teachers and parents with all the kids' needs and troubles is very different from having one classroom to manage.
As a counselor, we rarely experience those wonderful, happy moments that teachers' have when they teach one classroom of students for a full year. Counselors deal with so many students and so many issues while never losing sight of the desire to look with such depth into the child's needs and situation. There are no short-cuts or band aids for students who act out, have attentional issues, or are raised in dysfunctional families. Issues related to bullying, anxiety, family trauma are just a few among the endless list. Academic success requires a team approach and counselors are a vital part of that team.
After retiring 3 years ago, I was so excited about moving on with my next phase of life. The first year of retirement I put together this website/blog. It was important that I share my knowledge and experience with other educators.
When I came across the Memoirs of a Classroom Podcast by Jen Viola, I was suddenly taken back to my early years of teaching. I recalled what led me to education in the first place and the joys of working with students and sense of pride for my years of service. I hope the podcast will do the same for you.
Warmly,
Jeanette