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Gratitude AJ Byrd
For ALL the life's I touched over the years.

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Pharrell Williams - Happy (from Despicable Me 2) [Ballroom Version]

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Stepping into the lead role for the first time this year did not come without the nerves. There have been many opportunities for growth and I've learned so much this year and for that I am grateful because it has made me feel more confident in the delivery of my work. It also has reminded me of several of my "Why's." Also simply when students are comfortable approaching me and reaching out to me, makes me feel I'm doing a good work with being present and empowering students to practice their self-advocacy skills.

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I'm proud of making some healthy lifestyle changes recently. My 30th birthday is coming up and reflecting on where I'm at and all I've done has me feeling so grateful.

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I spend a lot of time with students in my grade level and across the school. I also help students in my community. I love seeing students striving to do great things.

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My senior in high school has received multiple scholarship offers. So proud and happy!!

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I had a baby in the pandemic. He is almost 16 months. It has been a wild ride going back to work and also being responsible for a tiny human. He is thriving and I am managing to handle this new identity and role. I have had to let go of control and it is making me a better person and counselor!

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Former students coming back to visit me and thanking me for all that I have done to help them be successful.

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After completing minute meetings, I have a group of 6th grade boys who were lacking social skills and reported having no friends. They genuinely enjoy being together and have taken the skills that they have learned with other students in their classes. It warms my heart!

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I have worked really hard to develop rapport with my students, after their chaotic start to 6th Grade last year. I felt like I missed a good solid 1st year with them, and have been trying to gain that ground back. I have taught in the classrooms & done more surveys than ever before & provided more support than ever. I walked up on one of my hallways last week & the kids were greeting me & one of them stopped me and said, "See? Everyone loves you." Made my whole school YEAR!

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I am thankful for the shift in my own mindset about dealing with a particular group of students.  I am also grateful for the maturity that I am seeing at work in them as of late.

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One of my students recently told me she was grateful for my help and just being a source of inspiration to her.

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Getting to see students at the high schools again this year reminded me of my why!

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Having a parent from my previous school contact me and let me know their twins received several scholarships because of the resources I shared via newsletters & Reminds

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Working with one of our rising 9th Graders and her family to help her receive services in conjunction with her anxiety and depression.

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I spend time eating lunch with students and building relationship. During our time together we play and talk about their world. I love it. BYRD

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I was reminded of my "why" last night at a magnet event for my school. We invited our biggest feeder high school to come out and present to our rising 9th graders and I was able to see kiddos from my last cycle of students. Seeing the kids I worked with for the past three years in all of their high school glory really validated that the work I do matters!

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My Student Ambassador Club and watching how welcoming they are with showing new students around and inviting them into their groups until they find their own group. Watching their growth and seeing them come out of their shell each time we meet.

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I have a student who does not have a positive home environment - lots of tension/chaos/turmoil/instability - but every morning she comes to school and gives me a hug. I tell her that I'm glad that she's here today, and she tells me that she's glad that I'm here.

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Every day that I am able to connect with my students from human to human I remember my "why". On the way to work today I was thinking about how I might not realize that my positive "good morning" could be enough to turn somebody's day around. When I thought about how my energy can be shared, I realized that I am important in this school (and on this earth).

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This year is my first year as a lead and I was really worried I wasn't ready or competent. I have grown so much this year personally and professionally and am really proud of myself for it. It has been challenging but empowering. I love getting to work with my team to support our students.

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My Why - Sabina                                                        One of my students has had severe trauma when he lived with mom. He talks to me ALL the time and I'm his safe person. However, he would really benefit from actual therapy. I talked to dad and have made referral to SBMH. It will be so good for him!                

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My Why - Sabina                                                        One of my students has had severe trauma when he lived with mom. He talks to me ALL the time and I'm his safe person. However, he would really benefit from actual therapy. I talked to dad and have made referral to SBMH. It will be so good for him!                

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In one of the screenings after our SOS for 8th grade (which we decided to do since those students never had it in 7th grade) some sexual abuse came to light and the student is getting the help they need and is now safe.

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Seeing a student with anxiety using the strategies we practice and getting better makes me feel like I am making a difference.

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I have a student that is in foster care and doesn't really have any adult support in his life. I went to his track meet this week and he was sooooo happy and proud. He thanked me for coming several times!

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My girl's group. Seeing their personal growth has been amazing. One of my girls told me yesterday this group has been teaching her how to be kinder. And she was proud of herself for not starting or engaging with fights when she usually would have.

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