I’ve been looking forward to my first school counseling office since the first week of grad school. My Intro to Counseling professor advised us to take special care in organizing our first office. She said we should avoid communication barriers. We should make it warm, inviting, and student-friendly. Another professor said to have small trinkets and toys close by (even for high school students) because having something to do with your hands sometimes makes those tough conversations a little easier. Throughout my program, I was fixated on setting up my first office. I was on a mission to create a safe space that was welcoming but that also represented me.
I never expected to walk into my new office with its bare walls and lack inspiration. I also didn’t expect to be intimidated.
My office had much more space than I ever anticipated. It also had files, papers, and booklets left behind by the ghost of counselors past. Additionally, over the summer the room had become a temporary office for the Technology Specialist. There were about 6 computer units in my room. The blank walls were daunting and I was hesitant to cover them. I wanted everything to have a purpose but I was overwhelmed. After some planning and cleaning, I set out to decorate and organize. It’s a work in progress, but here’s where I am. Enjoy the tour!
I started with my door. The piece of paper above my name is my weekly calendar. Every Monday, I post my schedule of classroom lessons, meetings, and duties so people can find me. I also hope to create a “Where is Ms. Ward?” sign.
I’m really proud of these rugs. I raided the clearance bins at Target, Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond after all the college students went back to school. They were a great deal and really add character to the room. Speaking of character….
The character mirror was my most ambitious project. Our school uses Character Counts and the Six Pillars of Character ( Fairness, Respect, Responsibility, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, and Caring). The idea is to have students look in the mirror and see which pillar of character they made need to show in their behaviors. In theory, this part of my office would start a conversation about what it looks like to show character. I haven’t used it yet, but we’ll see how it goes. The mirror also helps me meet staff members in a very large school. People often stop by to look in my mirror!
I plan to use this board as way display student work from classroom lessons. Right now (with student permission) I’m showing examples from my “Meet the School Counselor” lesson. While I used a KWL chart with the older students, the book “Who is the School Counselor” lesson worked well with the younger students. Students really got the concept of the tools School Counselors use to help them. Some decided to draw me. Other pictured themselves as future school counselors!
I love these kid drawn emotions. Simple as that.
This is my favorite part of my office. I call it my “Personal Power Corner.” It’s where I keep what I call my foundation. I have a photo of my cohort, pictures from graduation, and photos with some of my mentors from grad school. My friends and family are represented by photos and items that have sentimental value. The clip hanging from the larger photo is my name badge from a volunteer project. It was during that project that I realized I wanted to be a school counselor. The quote in the frame reads “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I call this corner my foundation because it reminds me of where I came from, the lessons I’ve learned, and my perosnal mission to change lives. I am empowered to make a difference. When I feel like I’ve lost my way, I return to my foundation: the people who’ve taught me about love, courage, respect, progress, equity, and belief. When I feel tempted to give up because it seems like I’m working all alone, I’m reminded that above all else I have to the power to live my life in a way expresses my desire to see changed world. With my foundation and the experiences that have come since the foundation was built, I dont’ have to wait on others. I can be that change.
What’s your favorite part of your office?
New School Counselor 