To begin my first blog post...ever, I always like to read about the journeys that other professionals have made to get where they are today. A wise administrator once told me that some of the most beautiful destinations are found on roads with numerous turns and twists. Didn't truly understand that "southern phrase" till this year.....when I found my place I can call home...as a middle school counselor.
While living in North Carolina, I began my teaching career as a first grade teacher at a very small rural elementary school. My first class had 11 students (Ha!..Seems like a dream compared to the 30+ we so commonly see sitting in our classrooms now). I continued to teach for 5 additional years as a Kindergarten teacher and LOVED every minute of it. Soon I began to realize that I had a knack for working with students who needed more social and emotional support along with the academics we teachers focus primarily on. This is where I decided to pursue the role of becoming a school counselor. During my graduate program, I was fortunate enough to begin working as an elementary school counselor (provisionally till I graduated). I had found my calling.....or so I thought I did at that time.
We moved over the summer and as soon as I unpacked our suitcases, I began feverishly job hunting for a new counselor or ANY teaching position.....only it was not that easy. No one knew of me, the surrounding districts were EXTREMELY competitive, and it was very difficult to even get an interview let alone someone to respond to your inquiring emails. By chance, a fantastic literacy coach hired me as her instructional assistant to support struggling readers at an intermediate school with the Title I program. With in that one year my roles turned to subbing for teachers on medical and maternity leave until I FINALLY landed an interview with our middle school for a 6th grade math & science position.
This past year as a middle school teacher was one of my most exciting and best professional teaching experiences of my career (I fell head over heels for this age group of kiddos...they're incredible). Yet I still felt there was a piece of me missing. So when my school had an open counseling position for the 2013-2014 year, I jumped for it! After several weeks of waiting and a couple intense interviews later...I got the counseling position... So I will now begin my 10th year in education as a middle school counselor...Woohoo!
Back to that "souther phrase" I mentioned earlier....The road I've taken on this career journey has been full of twists and turns, but like my wise southern administrator once said, it has led me to a wonderful destination.....Middle School!
One of my personal & professional goals since beginning this journey was to become a blogger like so many other counselors & teachers have successfully done (those I've read over the years). So here it is...My new blog. This is a place I want to share my experiences, hear about other's experiences and share resources with other professional school counselors and teachers. Being a newbie at this...I guess we all have to start somewhere, so, as I begin with my "blogging training-wheels" on, I am open to suggestions and of course your support as readers. If you are a new blogger like me, let me know your link to your blog and we can begin following one another.
Happy Blogging!
Jenn
