Counselor's Corner
Mrs. J's Toolbox of Skills: My dad is a general contractor. Growing up I was enamored with the tools, gadgets, and machinery we had in our garage. I was super jealous when my brothers got to help my dad on job sites or with projects around the house. One day, when I was about 9, I finally got my chance to prove that I could be just as helpful as my brothers. I was playing in the yard while my dad was fixing something under the car. He called me over and asked me to go get one of my brothers to help him. I enthusiastically told him that I could be his helper!! He relented. He rolled back under the car and then asked me to hand him a tool. He named the tool, but I didn't know what it was or even what it looked like. After 4 or 5 failed attempts at handing him the “right“ tool, he asked me to just go get one of my brothers. I don’t blame him; had I stayed to help we would’ve been out there all day. However, that day I learned the importance of knowing the names and functions of tools, as well as why it’s necessary to have a variety of tools in your toolbox (although in our family I feel like 90% of things could be fixed by duct tape. ) 😜
For my classroom lessons this month, I will teach our Salem Stars a variety of Well-Being tools. As with fixing material things, we need a “toolbox" of coping skills to regulate emotions, problem-solve, and reinforce social connections. Each month, as I teach students in their classrooms, we will work on enhancing our "toolbox” of Well-Being skills. I hope that by the end of the school year, our students will be able to identify a handful of coping skills they can use to navigate difficult situations, work through challenging feelings, and improve their well-being.
I’m excited to jump in and get to work!
-Mrs. J
