Counseling Programs and Classes

My philosophy is that prevention and being proactive is imperative in teaching social skills to young children and adolescents.  I teach a variety of counseling lessons for grades Kindergarten through 6th grade.  Here is an outline of the curriculum through the grades:
                   Kindergarten:  Second Step for Kindergarten is implemented on a weekly basis.  Students learn and practice problem solving skills, fair ways to play, expressing feelings and other helpful and caring behaviors.  I also use other counseling resouces that address the skills.  Students role play, take turns sharing, and listen to stories relating to friendship and resolving conflict.

                   First Grade: Kelso's Choices, a conflict management curriculum for children, is taught to all 1st graders.  Students learn the 9 choices for peacemaking and distinguish between a small and big problem.  This program reduces tattling in the classroom and empowers the students to solve their own problems.  After Kelso's Choices concludes, Second Step is taught for first grade.  The lessons naturally follow the Kindergarten lessons from the previous year and builds on that foundation.  Students learn and practice skills about anger management, problem-solving, impulse control and expressing feelings. 

                    Second Grade:  Second Step for second grade is implemented and builds on the previous years' lessons.  I also infuse many lessons from my counseling resources that address the skills.  Students practice skills during the lesson through role-playing and active learning activities.  The lessons include reinforcement of the 9 Kelso's Choices, problem solving steps, anger management skills, ways to calm down and how to empower the students to make decisions and solve friendship problems.

                      Third Grade: Steps to Respect, an anti-bullying curriculum, is taught in this grade to teach students how to join a group, start a conversation, use assertive skills, responding and recognizing bullying and standing up for others as a supportive bystander.  With additional lessons from a variety of sources, I help the students gain confidence and courage to face social challenges that might come their way.

                      Fourth Grade:  Steps to Respect is continued on a fourth grade level to teach students how to block rumors and gossip, respond to bullying, learn the difference between fun joking and mean teasing, and helping our friends by being a supportive bystander against bullying.  In addition, all girls meet once a week in the fall for 6 weeks to discuss and address relational aggression, friendship conflicts, making and keeping friends, and believing in ourselves as girls.  The girls' group follows the layout of The Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Toubles published by American Girl.

                      Fifth Grade:  The final year of Steps to Respect is taught and builds upon the previous years' lessons.  This year the students gain insight and understanding about cyberbullying and internet safety.  The students also distinguish between the difference between bullying and conflict.  They practice assertive skills and role-play how to talk to their friends about a conflict of bullying situation.  Finally, to continue the support of the girls, I meet weekly for "Arts and Crafts" in which I am available to meet with all the 5th grade girls who would like to socialize during lunch time while making cook crafts and gifts for others.

                      Six Grade:  In the sixth grade, I teach Conflict Resolution in the Middle School to all sixth graders.  This is a 28-30 lesson curriculum that focuses on teaching the students conflict resolutions skills, anger management, communication, active listening, diversity, and mediation skills.  I also use a variety of lessons from the resource "Activities that Teach" by Tom Jackson and other enriching resources.

                      Seventh/Eighth Grade:  I am an advisor for a group of 8th graders to serve as a mentor and facilitator for learning social and academic skills.  I also consult with the other advisors in the program to offer materials and lesson concepts to use in their own advisory groups.

Individual counseling is available to all students K-8, teacher and parent consultation is offered as well.  I am also the coordinator for St. Joseph School for the Seattle Archdiosese Safe Environment Program.