Meet Mrs. Carridine, The Counselor Three Years In: What Being an Elementary School Counselor Has Taught Me

 Three years ago, I walked into my school in a completely new role. I wasn't a science teacher anymore. I wasn't a special education teacher anymore. I was the school counselor, or at least, I was becoming one.

Here's the thing: I don't have my master's yet. I'm still in my school counseling program, working toward certification while doing the job every single day. And honestly? That's made this journey even richer.

Let me be real: going from teaching to counseling is not a small shift.

As a teacher, my job was to plan, instruct, manage, assess, and move 25+ students toward a goal. As a counselor, my job is to listen, sit with silence, ask hard questions, and walk alongside students through things no lesson plan can prepare you for.

I traded lab reports for feelings charts. IEP meetings for crisis calls. Lesson plans for small groups about friendship and grief.

And I wouldn't trade it back for anything.

The Challenges

Learning on the job—literally.
Taking graduate courses while working full-time in the role I'm training for has been difficult at times. Some days I'm in class learning theory, and the next morning I'm in a real crisis with a real kid. The learning curve is steep, but the classroom (and the hallway, and the cafeteria, and the playground) has been my best teacher.

Letting go of the teacher brain.
I spent years trained to fix, correct, and instruct. Counseling asks something different. It asks me to slow down, to not have the answer, to trust the process. That shift took time, and I'm still working on it.

There's never enough time. I could clone myself three times and still not reach every student, teacher, or parent who needs something. Learning to prioritize, and accept my limits, is ongoing.

The weight is real.
Kids trust me with big things. Loss, divorce, food insecurity, anxiety, scary things at home. I carry those stories with me. Learning how to hold space for others without losing myself has been a journey.

Crisis doesn't follow a schedule.
I've had lessons planned and groups ready, only to have a student in crisis walk through my door at 8:05 a.m. Flexibility isn't just a nice skill here. It's a requirement.

The Rewards

The students.
The first-grader who finally used her words instead of her hands. The fifth-grader who told me, "You're the only one who gets it." The kindergartener who drew me a rainbow because "you make me feel better." These moments are what I love!

The parents.
I've had some of the most meaningful conversations of my career with parents who were scared, frustrated, or at the end of their rope, and who trusted me enough to partner with them. Watching a family find their footing has been an honor.

The faculty and staff.

My teachers are heroes. They notice the kid who's off before anyone else does. They send students my way with a gentle, "I think you should go see Mrs. Carridine." They check on me, too. My background in special ed and science helps me collaborate with them in ways I never expected, I understand their world because I lived it.

My teaching background is a superpower.
I know what it's like to have 25 students and no time to breathe. I know what an IEP meeting feels like from the other side of the table. I know how to talk to teachers because I was one. That credibility has been invaluable, and it's something I'll carry with me forever.

The growth—mine included.
I'm not the counselor I was three years ago. I'm calmer. I listen better. I ask better questions. I've learned that sometimes sitting in silence with a student is more powerful than any intervention I could name.

Losing Weight.....

I started taking plexus slim some months back and I have gone from a size 24 to a size 20. While I was taking it my blood sugar leveled out and it became controllable. I had to stop taking it for a little while but since I have started back I can tell a difference in my energy and my blood sugar. This is a great product that is all natural. I just wanted to share it with you guys...

You can look it up at melaniecarridine.myplexusproducts.com

Job Searching

Hello everyone, It's been a long time since I was blogging. I would like to ask for your help. I am currently searching for a job. If anyone knows of any job opening in the South Georgia Area please send me the information. I was working until August of this year, when my Executive Director offered me another position. I was really excited about the job because I had not long been placed on a part time salary. So I was excited. It did not work out though because I was offered the same salary for the new position which required much more work, actually you could say that it was three full-time jobs in one. Needless to say I tried to negotiate my salary, but the Director refused to negotiate and I refused to sign the salary agreement. She then asked me to resign, but after I refused she asked me to leave. Thus the situation I find myself in at this moment...job searching. If you guys hear of any jobs please let me know.

Thanks everyone,

Melanie

Time Well Spent

I came into this course bright eyed and eager to learn. I was excited about furthering my career in the early childhood field because of my love for the children. There were times during this process that I wanted to throw in the towel. Even in this last course there were some discouraging events that took place. I lost my uncle and before we could bury him my cousin died. So you can imagine what I have been through on last week. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I would like to say thanks to great support from you guys concerning my assignments and the positive and encouraging feed back I was able to make it through unto the end. You guys have contributed so much to this degree process and for that I am grateful. There is so much that I have gained from the program but some resonates deeper than others.

1. I learned how to make and plan a budget. Also to allocate the resources where they are needed most. There will be times when unexpected expenses ocurr, but if I have budgeted correctly I will have the finances to cover them.
2. I learned how to be a leader, manager,and administrator for a childcare center. This program has prepared me for further positions in the area of early childhood education. I am well prepared to be a center director for our Church's childcare center(when God blesses us with it, preparing myself by faith)
3. I learned that my passion is kindled by the lack of parental involvement. I want to pursue the concept of parental involvement in hopes that I will be able to make an impact in the lives of the nation's children and families.

My long term goal is to actually create The National Parental Involvement Council Association. The International to come later. This organization will begin with my Church's childcare center where we will employ certified teacher to teach parents so that they can provide the needed education at home.

Well you guys, it is actually the end of the road for this degree. We made it through, some of us might have had some difficult times getting there, but we made it. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for all of your positive, heart warming responses to my assignments. I have enjoyed reading your posts as well and responding to comments. Thanks for all of your help and advice throughout this course for some of you and the program for others. I really appreciate all that you have done for me.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Melanie Carridine
melaniecarridine@gmailcom
Melanie Holloman Carridine on facebook

Thanking Jesus Right Now!!!

Favorite Quotes

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

2nd Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

International Organizations

EUROPEAN PLATFORM FOR INVESTING IN CHILDREN (EPIC)

In late February 2013 Investing in children-breaking the cycle of disadvantages became a focal point for the European Commission. It was adapted as a part of the Social Investment Package, a strategy to help overcome the current economic crisis and strengthen the capacity of individuals. The platform is represented by Poland, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland, Greece, Poland and Bulgaria. There are not links to employment for this organization, but I would love to have a position within the Organization because the focus is on the children and doing all possible to make sure they are being heard.

Up-Coming events that were interesting to me

4/18-19-2013

International Conference: Building Block for an Inclusive Society

4/24/2013

Round table debate on Grandparents as carers

7/5/2013

Euro Child & UNESCO Policy Round Table on Family and Parenting Support.

This is the one that caught my eye because it focuses on the challenge that I have chosen for the capstone project. This round table will focus on parent support, education, training, strengthening families, and community networks.

European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC). (n.d.).  Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://europa.eu/epic/

ASSOCIATION FOR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL (ACEI)

“Our mission is to promote and support the optimal education, development, and well-being of children worldwide, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society (Association for Childhood Education International, 2013).”

Vision-“Every child in every nation will have access to a quality education. This education will prepare children to become responsible and engaged citizens and ready them for life in a changing world (AEIC, 2013).”

ACEI was established as the International Kindergarten Union (IKU) in 1892, by educators concerned with the professional preparation of kindergarten teachers. In 1931, the National Council of Primary Education joined with the IKU to form the Association for Childhood Education (ACE). Realizing the critical importance of advancing childhood education throughout the world, ACE added "International" to its name in 1946, becoming the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI). Today, ACEI has members in many nations, country liaisons, and network groups (ACEI, 2013).

Association for the Childhood Education International (ACEI). (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2013, from

http://www.acei.org/about-us/acei-history.html

UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)

“UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2013).”

The mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information (UNESCO, 2013).

UNESCO teamed up with EPIC to present a round table on Family and Parenting Support.

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2011). Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/about-us/who-we-are/introducing-unesco/

These three organizations stand for all that I believe and I would love to be a part of the cause for any of the three in any position.

 

Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal

National/Federal Organizations

1.      National Association for the Education of Young People (NAEYC)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), is a Washington, DC-based national membership organization of close to 80,000 members, focused on improving the quality and accessibility of early childhood education programs and services and on enhancing the development of children and families.

There are two positions that I would want at this organization. They are currently seeking a Senior Director of NAEYC Academy.

Job Description

The Senior Director, working collaboratively within the NAEYC staff team, provides leadership to

·         Maintain the NAEYC program standards as the gold standard of excellence in early childhood education, reflecting current evidence from research and practice

·         Ensure that NAEYC Accreditation supports continuous quality improvement, is rigorous but not burdensome, and provides a valid and reliable assessment of program quality

·         Reach out to states and other systems to leverage relationships that recognize NAEYC Accreditation as a cost-effective approach to improving early childhood systems

·         Maximize the use of NAEYC Accreditation as one of the nation’s foremost channels for moving evidence-based research into everyday practice

·         Support the work of the Council for NAEYC Accreditation which is delegated authority by the NAEYC Governing Board to ensure the equity, integrity, and accountability of NAEYC Accreditation of programs for young children

Requirements: Advanced degree in nonprofit management, business administration and/or early childhood education/child development. Knowledge of and experience in both management and early childhood education. Excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.  Strong conceptual and analytic skills and talent for innovation. Demonstrated track record of leadership that motivates excellent performance and supports ongoing staff development.  Some travel is required. Salary commensurate with knowledge and experience with excellent benefits. Position is based at the NAEYC headquarters located in Washington, DC.

2.      Zero To Three

This organization is for infants,  toddlers, and families. ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. Zero To Three’s mission is to promote the health and development of infants and toddlers.

Zero to Three is looking for a policy analyst.

Job Summary

 The Policy Analyst will work to advance ZERO TO THREE’s state policy priorities, conduct research and develop written materials for states, track promising state and community system building efforts focusing on California and the Western States, provide technical assistance to and facilitate learning communities among states, raise awareness of infant and toddler issues among policy, business and philanthropic leaders, promote coordination between the ZERO TO THREE Policy Center and the Western Office on policy and advocacy issues, and contribute to the overall work of the Policy Center.

Skills and Experience

Knowledge of state early childhood systems, policy issues, and programs.

• Knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: early care and education, family support, infant mental health, or early intervention.

• Strong preference for experience working at the county and state level in a policy position

• Minimum of five years relevant work experience.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

• Familiarity with California early childhood issues.

• Ability to be self-directed in accomplishing work responsibilities;

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to travel, including occasional overnight stays.

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, social work, early childhood or a related field.

This is a part of the education field that I would love to have a part in. Some of the qualifications I would not met for this job such as knowledge of California’s early childhood issues, but I could learn them.

3.      National Education Association.

NEA’s vision-Our vision is a great public school for every student. Mission-Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. NEA also believes every student in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education.

The NEA headquarters is in Washington DC. There were some job openings, but none that interested me, but the state affiliates had job postings that were great opportunities to work in the education field, and they pay great salaries. There was an Executive Director position that closed on March 7, 2013 in Tennessee. Also there were Organizational Development Specialist positions open in both West Virginia and Texas. There were not any job descriptions for these positions only contact information.

I would love to find a job at the national level that advocates and works diligently for the education of our young people.

 

COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE

1. Task

A local mental health service of Ashburn, Ga. This organization teaches people with mental disabilities to function on their own in society. They help with job preparation and employment opportunities; they help with Dr. appointments, and financial responsibilities.

2. Moultrie Technical College

Moultrie Tech has a GED program in Ashburn at the Community Service Center. This would be a great partner for the communities of practice because the parent’s education could be the link to the children's education.

3. Parent Involvement Council

This organization is headed by Turner County Connection/Communities in Schools of Turner County. This group meets once a month to brainstorm and come up with solutions to get parents involved in their children's education.

These three interested me because they could possibly the link for me to get parents to understand that they are their children’s first and most important teacher.


A job opportunity that I would love would be through my church's childcare facility. Now this facility is not in existence yet, but we are believing by faith that it will manifest soon. One of the desires that I have for the center would include a program for parents that would assist them in getting their GED or completing high school. It would also provide class room training for the parents. This training would teach parents how to teach their children at home and demonstrate to the parents the proper teaching techniques that could be used. It would serve to give parents fresh and new ways of teaching their children.