Counseling Corner
Tanya Glennon, Professional School Counselor
Another school year is upon us! As with any new year, many changes infiltrate our routines, and this year is no different. To help ensure your child finds success this year, here are some tips and information to consider:
Communicate with your child’s teacher(s) – ask your questions, clarify the homework, attend the parent-teacher conference, inform teachers of changes at home that might impact your child’s day. Teachers are better able to meet your child’s needs if they are able to openly and honestly communicate with you.
Communicate with your child – remember to include your child in conversations about their school day, their homework, or their friendships. They may have important insight to share with you! Let their voice be heard.
Respect the school’s decisions about protocols – as unnecessary as some rules may seem, it’s important to understand they exist for a reason. If you aren’t sure why we do something a certain way, ask! All protocols are a work in progress to meet the safety needs of you, your child, and all school staff. Safety first!
Keep an open mind to new ways of teaching or handling behaviors – education is not static, it’s ever-changing. Thus, your child’s teacher or support staff may be trying a new technique to help students succeed. Please don’t speak unkindly of any adults or students at school with or in front of your child. If you don’t respect school or the people there, your child won’t either.
Let your child fail – children need to experience failure in order to succeed. Letting your child feel sad, frustrated, or nervous sometimes is so important; they will learn that they can overcome such feelings and that they can trust themselves. Protecting your child too much can lead to helplessness and powerlessness, leaving your child lacking the emotional resources needed to cope with inevitable setback and failure. Childhood is the prime time for mistakes; let it happen and support your child along the way. (Lahey, J., Jan, 2013; TheAtlantic.com)
How can your School Counselor help?
I help meet the needs of students by proactively teaching safe, respectful, and responsible behaviors in classrooms, small groups, and individually. I strive for a comprehensive school counseling program, which means that ALL students have access to their School Counselor throughout the year. I am looking forward to another great year here at Easton Valley!
Contact Information
Email: tanya.glennon@eastonvalleycsd.com
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/eastonvalleycsd.com/k-8-counseling/
Location: 321 West School Street, Preston, IA, United States
Phone: 563-682-7131