Counselor Corner
Back to School 2020-2021
Dear Terrace Familes,
Welcome back to school!
During these unprecedented times, I am here to support the students and families of Terrace.
There is a lot of unknown and planning to be done on what my counseling program will look like this year. I hope these newsletters from me deem useful to you as we all navigate this year as this will be my means of communication for all things counselor-related (think holiday gifts help and updates to my program)
Counseling Services include:
•individual counseling*
•small group counseling
•classroom guidance lessons
•crisis intervention
•consultation with parents and teachers
•coordination with outside agencies & therapists
•referrals for community services
*Individual counseling is short-term and goal-based. I do not
provide therapeutic counseling.
FAQ
WHAT EXACTLY DOES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO?
Much like the school nurse, my services are available to ALL
students, not just those with an emotional disability or in a
crisis. It is my job to make sure that students are happy and
doing their best at school. This is a tall order since so many
factors go into kids doing well---their ability to focus and pay
attention, their relationships with peers and teachers, how well
they can manage their feelings and impulses, and their lives
outside of school. I address these issues using individual or
small group counseling, as well as classroom guidance lessons
and even school-wide programs like “Red Ribbon Week". I ask
kids to think of me as a coach who helps them solve their
problems. I am also an adult in the building with whom they are
never “in trouble.”
HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM A THERAPIST?
I frequently see children just once or twice, or in the classroom
setting rather than my office. Although I do often help children
with family problems and behavior at home, my primary role is
to deal with school-related problems. Sometimes an issue is
better addressed more intensively in a therapeutic setting, and
with greater direct parental involvement. Contact me if you’d
like me to recommend an outside therapist for your child.
HOW DO CHILDREN COME TO YOU?
Students come to me in a variety of ways. Usually it’s by
recommendation of the classroom teacher and/or the parent.
Sometimes they are referred by the office. Often, children will
approach me themselves and ask if they can eat lunch with me
or schedule an appointment. They may also ask their teacher or
someone in the office to give me a message.
WILL I BE NOTIFIED IF YOU SEE MY CHILD?
Children frequently pop in to tell me about relatively minor or
time-limited issues. If that happens, I may not notify you unless:
a) there is a safety concern, b) your child has asked to see me
repeatedly, or c) if the worry or problem is significant (by adult
standards). I abide by confidentiality meaning unless for the reason previously stated, I will not inform teachers and parents unless when given permission. I will always ask for your written permission if I think your child would benefit from regular meetings with me, or if I
would like to recruit them as a “model” for one of my groups.
Guidance Lesson Topics for August
- Introduction to the counselor
- Coping skills (Invisible String & Circle of Control)
Guidance Lesson Topics for September
- Kindness + Bullying
- Growth Mindset
- Internet Safety (6th only)
- S.O.S (Signs of Suicide--6th only)
- Acknowledge, Care, Tell acronym
About Ms. Cheng
My name is Ms. Cheng and this will be my 6th year at Terrace
working with our wonderful Terrace families--my third as a
school counselor. Prior to this position, I was a classroom
teacher. I feel social emotional learning and self-regulation play
an integral role in education. This role allows me to specialize in
that.
I have a Bachelor's in Education from UTSA and a Master's in
Educational Psychology from Texas A&M. I enjoy reading and
learning and truly consider myself a lifelong learner.
In my free time, I LOVE to travel. Unfortunately, for obvious
reasons, I was not able to travel this summer. In any normal
circumstance, I enjoy hiking, playing with my dogs, trying out
new restaurants, and attending Barre classes. Although I have
a thirst for adventure, nothing will ever beat lighting candles and
curling up with a good book before bed.
Prisana Cheng, M. Ed.
Email: prisana.cheng@risd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/g.risd.org/mschengsoffice/home
Location: 300 North Dorothy Drive, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: (469)593-8703
Twitter: @counselorchenga