Summer is over

My summer was officially over August 1.  My main goal was to finish my credit checks and update my senior spreadsheet. I accomplished both of those, even though it was after July 4.  How did I do on my summer to-do list???

Here is my to-do list:

• Complete credit checks
• Complete senior year spreadsheet (this will take the longest because it will be very detailed)
• Check schedules for accuracy 
• Lesson Plans: 
• soft skills
• life skills
• college application bootcamp
• returning students/college student panel
• HBCU/HSI panel
• admissions panel
• OCI lesson plans (for my rotations)
• Finalize senior conference checklist
• Update counseling forms and handouts
• A few other things I'm leaving out

I did a lot but not all.  I started the ASCA lesson plans but after the credit checks and spreadsheet, I was tired and confused.  I need to get together with one of the other counselors and finish those.  I updated my binders and binder spines (might post those later).  I am ready for this school year to begin!!  c/o 2015!!!!!!!

Summer Vacation

Wow!  The year has gone by really fast.  I intended to update my blog regularly, but I failed :-(  I WILL do better next year (2014-2015 school year).  I say that knowing I will be the senior counselor (deep breath). I've had this group of students since their sophomore year, so I feel somewhat prepared....but can you ever really be prepared to have seniors??!  I want to update my blog every week or every two weeks.  We shall see :-)
Today was my last contract day.  I don't have to report back to work until August 1.  I am going to enjoy my summer, but I have a summer work to-do list.  Our department is working on aligning with the ASCA model and not just the state (Texas) model...and I will have seniors (did I mention that already. LOL!)

Here is my to-do list:

• Complete credit checks
• Complete senior year spreadsheet (this will take the longest because it will be very detailed)
• Check schedules for accuracy 
• Lesson Plans: 
• soft skills
• life skills
• college application bootcamp
• returning students/college student panel
• HBCU/HSI panel
• admissions panel
• OCI lesson plans (for my rotations)
• Finalize senior conference checklist
• Update counseling forms and handouts
• A few other things I'm leaving out

I want to get most of this done before July 4.  **Fingers crossed**

2013-2014 Office Tour: Co-Workers

My Co-workers said I could put pics of their office on my blog 

9th Grade Counselor 

 10th Grade Counselor 

 12th Grade Counselor 

(she's still working on hers)

I am the 11th Grade Counselor

here's the link to my office: http://highschcounselor.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-office-2013-2014.html

My Office (2013-2014)

I finally finished my office

On the outside of my door 

Outside of my door 

My students (and some faculty/staff) love playing in the Zen Garden 

I love how these turned out.  Got the inspiration from Pinterest (http://funinfifth.blogspot.com/2012/08/getting-organized.html)

Pinterest is so addictive!! :-) 

Decided to do something different this year.  (another Pinterest find: http://1happyteacher.blogspot.com/search/label/birthday) I usually give a birthday card and a pencil. 

The students can trade the paper in for a treat.  Not sure what treats I will have, but it will probably be snacks, pencils, etc. 

My New Office--The After Pictures (2012-2013)

I realized I never posted pics of my finished office. (One of my goals this year is to update my blog regularly.)   I've made a few changes to my office this year.  I will post them next week..  I wanted my office to be inviting and calming.  I think I achieved it :-) ...can you tell I love purple. LOL! 

My file cabinet (I switched this out for a newer, better looking one)

I was practicing with these labels.  I've changed these too

I don't have any cabinets, so I use binders--a lot of them :-)
Even when I had an office with cabinets, I still used binders.  

Probably one of the best things I purchased for my office.  Everyone loves it--students and teachers.  It is very inviting and relaxing. 

Love my Zen Garden.  I had to explain what it was and how to use it to several students, but they all loved it--some teachers and admin as well :-) 

My desk--with a sign-in sheet 

My side of the desk.  My desk wasn't always this clean and clutter-free. 

Got the idea from School Counselor Blog.  I love it
http://www.schcounselor.com/2012/07/what-you-say-in-here-stays-in-here.html

The only light in my office came from natural light and a couple lamps.  I don't like using the overhead light.  It's too bright and gives me a headache because it's right above my head.  The lamp also added to the calming environment I wanted to create

Documents I Found Going Through My Teaching Files And An Idea From Pinterest

My computer had to be restored this week—which meant all my programs and fonts were lost L  I still have my LD (Lettering Delights) fonts CD and the free fonts I downloaded, but I have to try to find the other CDs.  I said all that to say-the fonts in the pics are not the same as the word docs.  {I'm going to attempt to add word documents to my blog.  I hope I'm able to do it} {UGH! I wasn't able to do it.  It doesn't look like it's possible....so sad}

The fonts I used for the documents were: Footlight MT Light (already on my computer) and several free fonts: Swagger, Amsterdam Graffiti, Minnie and Mickey and Cheri.  Free fonts are from: http://www.dafont.com/

Master Teacher Binder {from http://beyondthegrades.blogspot.com/2011/10/teacher-binder.html}

I designed the cover for a friend.  His only criteria: make it macho. LOL!

I think football is macho.  Btw-his name is not Derek Morgan.  I’m a Criminal Minds fan. 

  

“Sorry I Missed You”: Made these for the same friend to leave on the door during home visits.

“I don’t have my homework”: I used this when I was teaching.  In order for me to consider accepting late work (which I usually didn’t), students had to complete the form and turn in when the homework was due.  They could also use a late work pass or a “Day of Grace” pass (see Binder Coupons).

“We Missed You”: Students staple the sheet to their make-up work.  When the teacher sees the sheet-they will not deduct points for late work.

Binder Coupons: I don’t know who loved these more—me or my students.  I only gave these out a few times a school year and not everyone received one.  This was something you had to earn.  I copied them on bright cardstock (usually orange) and stamped the back with whatever stamp I had so students wouldn’t copy them and give them to their friends (learned that the hard way).  I usually gave them out the first Friday of the school year for students who had their first major assignment. 

My New Office-The Before Pictures

I was finally able to see my office today….well, a potential office to be exact.  I will be one of two new counselors at the school this year, so I’m not sure which office will be mine, but they all look somewhat similar.  The counseling suite and offices are a mess because they replaced the carpet this summer.  I have most of the stuff for my offices already, but I have to find/buy more things to make it prettier, especially the file cabinets.  I remember seeing an idea on Pinterest J Below are the before pics and the stuff I bought for my office.  I love purple…as you can tell J

 Stress Balls for Students

Black Dry Erase Board

 Essential Office Supplies