This is our 2017-2018 theme! We are encouraged not only to "be legendary" but help make our students legendary as well. The definition of legendary is "remarkable enough to be famous; very well known." The district's theme aligns with our goal at Howard Norman, which is to be the best school in the nation! If we are going to accomplish this goal, we must "Be legendary!"
2016-2017 flew by. I didn't get to update my blog, send out newsletters, or email blasts as much as I wanted to, so that is one of my goals this year. I want to increase communication to parents (from a counselor's perspective). I believe there is always room for improvement. I was super honored to receive Professional of the Year at Howard Norman and Hutto ISD. My main goal as a wear this title is to continue to be a listening ear and positive influence for the students. As I prepare to go into the classrooms, I will share this with them (again). "One of my most important jobs is to listen to you." I am suffering from "pregnancy brain", so this update is not as informative or enlightening as I would hope. My thoughts and words are moving in slow motion! Nonetheless, I am excited about this school year. We are going to have some great additions! Our family continues to grow and we have some phenomenal teachers and staff members joining us! I am excited to learn from them! As I come to a close, I heard an inspirational podcast this morning. The title was "Nothing Just Happens." My personal and professional life are closely intertwined (outlook, morals, inspirations). As situations arise this is encouraging to remember. I'm not going to elaborate too much on that title/quote "(Nothing just happens."-T.D. Jakes). I am going to let you reflect and interpret it however you would like. Hopefully you will be able to see the positive side of it. Nothing just happens. So how will you/we be legendary? In the midst of whatever?!?!
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This week I heard a new quote I really liked.
"You can be a thermometer and read the temperature when you go into a room or you can be a thermostat and adjust the temperature." As a typed I realized it may be beneficial to be both, depending on yourself and the situation. As I write I am sitting in the hospital beside my grandmother. She's had a rough time since before Thanksgiving. During my time here I've listened to my aunt ask the doctor questions and give them useful information. She typed notes in her phone about nearly everything they said, including medicines they gave, when they gave them and any numerical results she received. If she didn't have the knowledge, strength and voice she has in regards to my grandmother.... I'm sure at times it made some of the doctors and hospital staff uneasy, but my grandmother's well-being is her highest priority. She was firm, confident, and respectful. As I observed and listened to her, I thought of the word "advocate". Advocacy is more than knowing, but it requires doing. As I learn about my students and their needs, it is my job to do my best to make sure their needs are being met. I wrote in one of my graduate studies pieces, "As a teacher I don’t like to “ruffle feathers” and simply do what is told to the best of my ability. However, as an advocate, I must be willing to “ruffle feathers”, because I am the students’ voice. Personally, getting the courage and strength to be a true advocate is one of my areas of growths that I plan to continue to work on in order to be an effective school counselor. " I write to share that I am committed to my students and growth as a counselor. I don't know it all. Being in a less than ideal place [hospital] has given me a great example of true advocacy. I searched for a quote and this one I love: “Shall I tell you a secret of a true scholar? It is this: every man I meet is my master in some point and in that I learn from him.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson I titled this "Finally...Already" because those are the words I will use to describe the time I have to sit and FINALLY update my blog. I cannot believe it is ALREADY almost the end of the first semester and Thanksgiving was yesterday! I had the intentions of updating my blog more often, but the busyness of life left little time to do so. There are a couple of drafts I started but never found the time to complete and post. While at work there is little to no time to share the many highlights. Working with the students are of higher priority. And once home my motherly and wifely duties take over! I remember the first week of school with the students. I wanted to write and to title the post "Mission". On Friday I felt like I had been on-- a mission! It was fast and furious, with its highs and lows, but there was also no question that the role I am in is my mission-it is what I am supposed to be doing at this present time. I'm a little surprised at myself honestly. Beforehand, I would've described myself as emotional and sensitive. But somehow I have managed to keep it together, knowing that I can only do what is within my power to care for our students. I've been teaching a few students there are things within our control and out of our control. We have to focus on what's in our control and do the things that make us happy. My classroom guidance lessons have consisted of "Getting to Know You" activities, Making Good Choices, Bully Prevention, and Leadership. I love being able to interact with all the students. I love having all of them know my name and the sweet waves and hugs in the hallway. I love letting them know over and over again that I am here for them. "I am here to listen to you and make sure you are cared for." I've repeated over and over again. In my opinion children are the most precious beings and embody such innocence, but sometimes they may feel their thoughts and opinions don't matter. I want them to know they do! I do not want anyone to leave Howard Norman with thoughts or feelings that no one cared for them. If we are being honest, there probably have been times we felt like that while in school. It is one of the reasons I wanted to be in this position. So I could be a school counselor, who actually counsels and is an advocate for children. During the break I reflected on how thankful I am to work with a group of people who all feel the same way as I do! Not only do our teachers and staff carry similar thoughts, but we have the most AMAZING PTA ever! I have never been part of PTA or seen one so active within the school--from the Bike Safety Night to Thanksgiving luncheon...there's so much they have done in between. Our Monster Mash dance was a complete hit and my personal favorite! The way they take care of us is unbelievable! Our PTA consists of the sweetest team of go-getters! Then we have our Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) who are fathers or father figures who come to campus to help out wherever needed and join their children in the classrooms. The look on a couple of 5th grade boys' faces were priceless as they whispered to each others, "There's a Watch DOG!" We kicked off the program in October and have had about 15+ men on campus. Building relationships is so important at this level. We want to include our community and give the students as many positive role models as we can. We also have weekly mentors coming in to give students that extra encouragement and guidance. There have been so many great things going on at HNES! I could go on and on! Going back to one of my individual counseling focuses. We choose whether we want to spend time thinking about the negative or positive and how we allow different situations to shape us. Remember this, "Don't let the world change your smile, but use your smile to change the world!" I am grateful for all the wonderful people at Howard Norman who have a hand in shaping our future in such a positive way. It may be a simple walk-through with a smile...thank you!
UPDATE: Okay, I'm guilty. I've been convicted after writing this post (11/25/16). While I think it is important to share your smile, it is an area of growth for myself. I love smiling. But, there are numerous times throughout the week when people ask me, "What's wrong, Iris?" "Nothing" is usually my response. Then the person I'm talking to proceeds to tell me about how I looked like something was wrong. UGH! One thing I dislike about myself. When I am thinking I have this look on my face (which does not include a smile). It looks like I'm upset, sad, mad or worried . I really appreciate them asking me, because it helps me check myself. I give myself a little shake and try to be more conscience of smiling more. So that fact about it takes more muscles to frown? MMM....idk about that! But, actually I'm not frowning my face is "resting" and brain is rapidly going then this visual reaction on my face is produced. It is in those moments that I need to think to "smile!" I don't have any tattoos....yet! I've considered it multiple times. But it has to be absolutely perfect! Perfect saying, perfect place. I've thought about my children's names, an anchor, a flower, a rainbow, words such as love, faith, maybe smile should be another option. For the past few of weeks teachers have been busy preparing their classrooms and learning in professional developments. Last week, a couple of teachers were learning off-campus, but they came to Howard Norman to eat lunch. Many times during these trainings people like to eat out, because we get a longer lunch than the 30 minutes when school is in session. So the thought was, "You came here to eat?" Smiling, they responded, "Yes." My reaction was "They came home for lunch."
Home. I could look up the politically correct definition, but when I think of the word home it should be peaceful, comfortable, and enjoyable. A place where you are encouraged, appreciated, and challenged. This definitely describes the feeling at Howard Norman Elementary. It was a pleasure seeing so many people at the ribbon cutting on Monday and the environment felt extremely welcoming--much like family. During our in-service team building there was unquestionably a similar feeling among fellow educators. The perfect words to describe the anticipated arrival of the first day and year with students and staff at Howard Norman Elementary are unfound at the moment. They are beyond me. |