Counselor Connection
December 2021 - By Golly, Be Jolly!
A Message from our Mental Health & School Counseling Team
Breathe! We have entered the month of restoration for educators. Oh, sweet December! Take some time this month to reflect on all of the wonderful accomplishments you have made since the beginning of the school year, the obstacles you have overcome, and the new territory that you will enter upon your return. You have given students the best of you these last few months. For educators, this should be a rewarding feeling of gratitude. As you are wrapping up yet another calendar year, celebrate your balance of demands, the warmth that you bring, and the hope that you give each day. Use your winter break as a time to regroup and come back refreshed, revitalized, and renewed.
Happy Holidays from your Mental Health & School Counseling Team at ESC Region 11
ESC Region 11 Counselor of the Month Spotlight
Amy Matthews
Ryan High School
What influenced you to become a school counselor?
Even from a young age, I have been a natural helper. I would welcome all the new students with a tour of the school, take soup to those that were absent, and stay up all night listening to the various problems of my peers. I transitioned into making a career out of helping through teaching and coaching and eventually counseling. I have always had a heart for adolescents, knowing that a range of circumstances can affect different aspects of their education, so I wanted to help guide them in communication and understanding.
Name an initiative or change that you were a part of that promoted advocacy for fellow counselors or students. Describe how that change has impacted your role or the lives of students?
I was a middle school counselor for 12 years, and I moved to the high school in the midst of COVID-19, so learning a new position while juggling the many changes due to virtual learning made for an interesting orientation. While we were still adapting to the world during a pandemic, I volunteered to take on a new college and career readiness platform. This included learning the technology and leading the counselors, students, and staff through the adjustment. Technology is not my strength, but connectedness is. I feel that helping others navigate a new system, in turn, helps anyone down the line that they encounter. I have attempted to present myself as an advocate that anyone involved can turn to when they have a question.
What are you proudest of in your current position?
My first year as a high school counselor came with many challenges, but all those feelings melted away and turned into pride as I watched my students walk across the graduation stage. The counselors were given the honor of handing the actual diploma to the graduates, and I will forever remember the smiles of those that struggled until they reached the finish line. Seeing the seniors progress and experience success fueled me to continue to try and develop that potential in future graduates.
When the work gets hard, how do you find a balance between your work and personal life?
I am fortunate to have such a supportive and amazing counseling team on the Ryan campus. Counselors tend to put the needs of others before themselves, and being surrounded by a group of people that remind you to take a step back is invaluable. Our lead counselor uses humor and empathy to emphasize the importance of putting work aside and seeking balance. The staff of counselors leading us at the district level also promote self-care on a weekly basis, prompting us to stop and breathe, lighten the load, and point out the positives and achievements. As a result of this support and encouragement, I am better able to balance my work life and enjoy my family and friends.
What advice would you give to future counselors?
Setting healthy professional boundaries is a necessity. Others often seek out counselors to aid them in almost any situation, causing our days to become quickly chaotic. Learning to navigate others in problem solving and communication will, in turn, help you be a better counselor, family member, and friend.
Upcoming Sessions
Six-Part Spring Series
FREE Evidence-Based Trauma-Informed Training
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Texas School Safety Updates
TEA Human Trafficking Webinar Dates - Registration Required
All meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m. CST:
- November 5
- December 3
- January 7
- March 4
Social-Emotional Learning Supports
Dr. Danyatta Harrell
Team Lead Mental Health & School Counseling
(817) 740-7575
Contact for: Crisis Response, School Safety, Ethics, HB5, Human Trafficking, TEA Initiatives, Comprehensive Programming, Program Audits & Effective Advising Framework
Valerie Roper, LPC
(817) 740-7649
Contact for: SEL, CCMR, Parent Education Resources, Guidance Lessons, Domestic Transcripts, Ethics, CPS, HB5, Small & Rural Schools.
ESC Region 11 Mental Health & School Counseling Team
Website: https://www.esc11.net/counseling
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Twitter: @ESCR11Counselor