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By Robin Finley, Ed.D. | September 2023

So, school counselors, I'm thinking you have heard at least a little about artificial intelligence (AI) at this point in the school year; some of you have likely been involved in a counseling issue concerning AI. What will your school do about AI? What are classroom teachers doing about AI? Are we planning a complete ban? Or are we going to allow it in our classrooms? Or are we just going to see what happens and roll with it? What is your role as a school counselor when approached with the topic?

Components of AI can take us down a good or bad path. If you attended the ArSCA Summer Conference session I gave on AI, you saw some great ways educators could save time with AI tools. But when we talk about student use, we have to look at the privacy laws that govern the use of whatever AI app we are using. Then, if the app is allowable for students, what are the cautions that need to be communicated to the student? Those of you who have been in education for a while will remember that we educators really struggled initially with allowing students to use the internet. We had great angst about whether or not the internet would be safe for students and how to teach them to use the internet responsibly. We are still striving to teach this responsibility. In fact, isn't what we do in counseling students helping them look at the good and bad of situations and make decisions to act appropriately? School counselors have been the continued presence in teaching students how to look at the pros and cons of situations.

As you help educators and students decide on the pros and cons of AI, it is important that you have resources to help you learn about AI. You can visit our TeachingTIME AI Resources page at any time to find needed information. If you haven't encountered any AI concerns yet, just hold on because you will, and I know how awesome our Arkansas counselors are. You will be ready for the challenge.

Contact Robin Finley, Ed.D., a founder of TeachingTIME, at info@tasseltime.com.

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So, school counselors, I'm thinking you have heard at least a little about artificial intelligence (AI) at this point in the school year; some of you have likely been involved in a counseling issue concerning AI. What will your school do about AI? What are classroom teachers doing about AI?

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Research shows that when schools fully integrate social, emotional, and academic development into K-12 education, academic performance improves, students are more engaged in school, and-as a result-they are more likely to graduate high school and attend and graduate from college. The evidence also shows that students with healthy social and emotional development are more successful in the workforce and experience greater lifetime well-being. See our fact sheet for more research and data about social, emotional, and academic development's benefits for students.

In much the same way that academic skills can be cultivated, research also demonstrates that social and emotional competencies can be nurtured and developed over the course of a student's school experience.

The goal is to prepare students who-among other things-are able to connect with others, make responsible decisions, communicate, solve problems, think critically, be resilient, persevere, and work in teams-many of the same skills that employers tell us through surveys that they are looking for in their workforce.

While a range of language is used to describe this more comprehensive approach to education, the Commission is using social, emotional, and academic development because it emphasizes the need for schools to fully integrate social, emotional, and academic development. Surveys of teachers tell us that large majorities want this integration to boost the success of students.

WHY IT MATTERS

Research demonstrates that making K-12 education a true integration of social, emotional, and academic development matters because it gives students a better chance of thriving in school, career, and life.

A student's ability to focus, manage emotions, and stay engaged, plays a large role in his or her ability to perceive, process, and ultimately learn. Students who can work collaboratively and communicate effectively are better able to harness their academic knowledge to perform in school now and in the workplace later. At the same time, these competencies help young people build the strong relationships that are such a big part of leading a fulfilling life.

WHAT IT TAKES

The Commission's charge is to explore how to make social, emotional, and academic development part of the fabric of every school. But we know that effective social, emotional, and academic development doesn't happen on its own-it requires dedicated commitment from everyone. Just as families and communities foster social, emotional, and academic development, K-12 schools must play a role by incorporating explicit and intentional instruction and rethinking school design and culture. Doing this demands an education system that recognizes how social, emotional, and academic skills and competencies are complementary, and addresses each of them with equal fervor.

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What is Social, Emotional, and Academic Development?

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Social, emotional, and academic development is the integration of social and emotional development with academic learning in K-12 education. Research shows that when schools fully integrate social, emotional, and academic development into K-12 education, academic performance improves, students are more engaged in school, and-as a result-they are more likely to graduate high school and attend [...]

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Explore free resources to help you plan, apply, and pay for college. Get expert advice on how to file the FAFSA, apply for scholarships, and get college ready.

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There are a lot of resources on the NDE site, and I like this because I can quickly find a cluster that I want to explore more on and learn something from it.

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Nebraska Career Tours – Nebraska Department of Education

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Experience virtual industry tours that provide a unique opportunity to get a glimpse inside Nebraska-based industries without leaving your home or classroom.

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Patrick - ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Patrick - ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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There are Many Ways to be Successful

To figure out where to find career satisfaction, you need all the facts about your skills and interests, the world of work, and your post-secondary options to make informed decisions.

Take the Assessments

Explore Your Options

Build Your Plan

The ASVAB Career Exploration Program includes a validated aptitude test and interest assessment. The results are used to guide career exploration using our career planning tools.

Design a post-secondary plan that works for you.
See how it works.

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What career is right for me? | ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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Find what career is right for you with the ASVAB CEP career exploration & planning tools. Find career satisfaction & your dream job.

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Allows you to explore colleges, compare costs, find scholarships and more.

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Lesson plan about roadblocks, using time to achieve goals is my favorite. I would alternate the lesson but the skeleton of it is good.

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Great SEL videos for all ages K-12. There are some free options, as well as a membership. These videos include reflections, questions, etc.

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Bite-size "choose your own adventure" K-6 movies that make classrooms easy to teach!

No credit card needed!

Make your classroom easy to teach in 10-minutes a day.

No prep time or expertise needed. Goodbye heavy SEL programs! Browse our free library!

How to Forgive a Friend

Conflict Resolution, Forgiveness

Benefits within 60 days

moozoom is proven effective both in scientific studies and real-world evaluation by teachers and students.

Real for Kids,
Easy for Educators

moozoom's resources are all built on real-life scenarios and challenges that your students encounter in their daily lives.

We bring real world in your classroom,

in just 10 minutes per day.

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Help your teachers deliver Social Emotional Learning in 10 mins a day with no training and no prep time! Discover the new and only way to teach SEL hassle-free while saving time & costs on teachers training & school climate data assessment.

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I love the Mood Meters, the calm strategies tool box, and their Be Good People curriculum. Mostly used in elementary.

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These valuable skills are sometimes referred to as "21st Century Skills," "Social Emotional Learning," etc. Schools have endless opportunities across the school day to help students develop these skills . A s one teacher put it, "Learning life skills isn't part of my students' day, it IS their day!" Explore (below) to learn more.

Meaningful conversations about the why and how of essential workplace and life skills

Keeping a cool head in a stressful situation, preventing bullying, digital citizenship, and more

Teachers use evidence-based curriculums to frame these conversations

This website is a collaborative resource shared between the Minnesota school districts of Chisago Lakes, East Central, Hinckley-Finlayson, North Branch, Pine City, Rush City, and the St. Croix River Education District .

This website was originally established in 2020 as a "virtual calming room" to support the wellbeing of students, families, and educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is maintained by the St. Croix River Education District with input and support from the aforementioned member school districts. ©202 3 St. Croix River Education District . All rights reserved.

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Essential Life Skills for a 21st Century Workforce Communication, teamwork, problem solving, critical thinking, giving and receiving feedback, self-discipline - every year, skills like these become more sought after by employers and colleges. These skills are included in Minnesota's Career and

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Ruler is a program that focuses on emotions and how to process them. There is a curriculum for Early Childhood through High school, along with some other tools.

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There is a survey for students to take that will tell them at the end some good career choices. It also talks about career clusters.

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Has information about different jobs including degree, pay, etc.

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The .gov means it's official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

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K‐12 : Student Resources : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Boystown offers a lot of resources, including books, lessons, posters, and more for SEL skills.

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Great bundle of products focused on expectation setting in a general education environment. Perfect for those who have taken Well-Managed Schools training. Products included: Social Skill of the Week CurriculumTools for Teaching Social Skills in...

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There is a list of academic skills along with links to resources for each one.

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Looking to develop your academic skills? Check out our handouts!
> College Success 101
Classroom Tips

Communicating with Instructors & Organizing Emails

Goal Setting

Group Work

Notetaking

Stress Management

Study Skills

Subject Specific Tips

Test Taking

Time and Stress Management

Writing and Research

Resources from Other Universities

Looking for additional help? All ASC tutors and peer mentors are trained to assist students with academic and study skill strategies pertinent to their assigned courses. If you would like help in addition to these handouts, you can also email academic-success@ncsu.edu to discuss your particular concerns.

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Looking to develop your academic skills? Check out our handouts! > College Success 101 Looking for additional help? All ASC tutors and peer mentors are trained to assist students with academic and study skill strategies pertinent to their assigned courses. If you would like help in addition to these handouts, you can also email academic-success@ncsu.edu to discuss your particular concerns.

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Canva has a ton of pre-made posters, slideshows, and other documents that can be used to promote all areas (SEL, College/Career, and Academic skills).

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Green and White Infographic Leadership Skills LinkedIn Post - Templates by Canva

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Use this customizable Green and White Infographic Leadership Skills LinkedIn Post template and find more professional designs from Canva.

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Attendance Works has GREAT resources for all school counselors to utilize.

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This counselor has given me many great ideas. She also has a lot of blogs about counseling topics.

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Counselor Chelsey | Simple School Counseling Ideas

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Counselor Chelsey | Simple School Counseling Ideas

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These easy to use social emotional resources you can trust include tips, activities and resources to use in your elementary school counseling program.

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Julia Cook has written books on almost any social skill you can think of. They are kid-friendly, and many come with a teacher's book that includes lesson plans and ideas. She has a website where you can easily look up books by specific scenarios. Her books are also reasonably priced and can be a supplement to almost any curriculum.

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The NDE website provides links to college and career lesson plans, covering kindergarten through 12th grade.

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Accreditation/Rule 10 & School Improvement Adult Education and GED® Afterschool Programs AQuESTT Coordinated Student Support Services Early Childhood Education English Learner Programs Expanded Learning Opportunities Family and Community Engagement Federal Programs Title IC Migrant Education Program Multicultural/Diversity NDE STEM Nebraska eBooks Nebraska Math and Science Partnerships Nebraska Milken Educators Nebraska Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (NPBIS) Nebraska Teacher of the Year Nutrition Services Private Postsecondary Career Schools (PPCS) and Veterans Education Response to Intervention (RtI) School Safety Special Education Teach In Nebraska 21st Century Community Learning Centers Work Based Learning Vocational Rehabilitation

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This ASCA page offers school counselors resources to support immigrant students in the wake of recent events.

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Support Immigrant Students - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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If you’re looking for a highly engaging social emotional learning curriculum that teaches social observation, social awareness, perspective taking, flexible thinking, and self-regulation, you’ve come to the right place! Our award-winning Social Detective & Superflex Series is where to start to help children ages 5-10+ learn how to make sense of our complex social world and then figure out how to use their strengths and manage their social challenges to navigate within it to meet their social goals.

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17 Tips to Reduce Screen Time (Checklist Printable for Kids)

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How to Reduce Screen Time: FREE PRINTABLES (Screen Time Checklist, Screen Time Tracker & Inspiration List) + 18 TIPS and ACTIVITIES for kids

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Response to Intervention | RTI | RTI Resources | Intervention Central

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Intervention Central is the leading resource for Response to Intervention (RTI) tools and resources, including academic and behavior interventions for classroom management.

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Your go-to destination for insights and resources on everything college and career readiness.

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Another great way to use ChatGPT to help you develop curriculum or lessons is to help you create activites, icebreakers, discussion topics, or circle questions.

In some of the images to the left - you can see that I asked it to create 5 circle questions geared towards middle school students about respect. I also asked it to create an empathy building small group activity for 9th grade students and it came up with a pretty decent "Perspective Swap" activity you could integrate into a small group curriculum or classroom lesson.

I also asked it to create an icebreaker for 2nd grade students. The first one you will see was the feared two truths and one lie activity. While this can be fun - it also can be controversial and most people steer away from it in schools and counseling. So you do need to be the wise, educated and experienced brain in this process and know that it isn't 100% right and may not be totally the best fit on suggestions. That is where the option to regenerate response option and it will take the same input and come up with another option. In this case - it suggested the "Hot Potato" activity.

The other thing you may need to do or think about is adding specific qualifiers to your prompts. If you said "make a group activity" - it will create a potentially very different response than if you said "make a group activity that can be completed in 5 minutes or less and involves practicing constructive feedback".

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The Ultimate School Counseling Hack: ChatGPT For School Counselors - The Counseling Geek

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School counseling is crucial, but resource-intensive. ChatGPT can revolutionize it, making counseling more accessible and efficient for students.

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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This specific video foucses on academic supports, but this YouTube channel includes many videos to support counselors.

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Achieving Academic Excellence: How School Counselors Can Help Their Students

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Wondering where to start and what you need? Check out this information to find out more.
Supplementary Zones Emotion Visuals
These Zones visuals feature characters from The Zones of Regulation Storybook Set. They can be used when teaching Lesson 1 in The Zones of Regulation curriculum to supplement Reproducible C: Zones Emotions and Reproducible E: The Zones of Regulation Visual and at any point in the learning process.
Our most popular resources are available in Spanish, French, and English.
We are pleased to provide digital versions of three widely used "Reproducibles" from the curriculum book translated into Spanish and French. In addition, you will find the English version in the digital format which is already included with The Zones book.
Information About The Zones Of Regulation (Reproducible A) French/Francais Spanish/Espanol The Zones Of Regulation Glossary (Reproducible B) French/Francais Spanish/Espanol The Zones Of Regulation Visual (Reproducible E) French/Francais Spanish/Espanol New Emotion Imagery (Zones Reproducibles C, E, BB)
We are pleased to announce that we have included a broader representation of characters within our Zones emotions illustrations throughout the book. While eight characters can't possibly embody all the spectrum of humanity, we hope that learners see glimpses of themselves and those that they know among this new cast. Updated versions of select Reproducibles are available for download to all Zones of Regulation curriculum users
Adolescent Zones Logo Visual
This Zones of Regulation visual, featuring our updated Zones logo design, is helpful for learners who have access to a broad emotional vocabulary.

Print and use this Zones check-in on staff lanyards, or even as a tabletop check-in for learners.
All the Zones Are Okay Coloring Page
Use this coloring page to reinforce the key concepts that all our feelings and Zones are Okay!

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Browse our collection of free resources for parents and educators to support a social-emotional learning curriculum.

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teachers pay teachers also has resources for school counselors

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Teaches students how to be safe online.

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National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

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Since 1998, NCMEC has operated the CyberTipline, a place where the public and electronic service providers can report suspected online and offline child sexual exploitation. The millions of reports made each year uniquely situate NCMEC to identify trends and create prevention resources to address the evolving needs of kids and teens online.

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Provides resources on how to help LGBTQ+ youth.

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A school wide program to help build positive relationships within the school.

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Daily Lessons

Educators have more on their plates than ever. That's why our lessons are designed to be low-prep for teachers, engaging and impactful for students - and take just 15-minutes a day.

160+ daily lessons are differentiated for grades Pre-K - 12 and last for 32 weeks of the school year. The common school-wide vocabulary, developed through consistency, naturally weaves throughout the entire school day.

Resources Overview Alignment

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Positive Character Education I The Positivity Project

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Educators have more on their plates than ever. That's why our lessons are designed to be low-prep for teachers, engaging and impactful for students - and take just 15-minutes a day. 160+ daily lessons are differentiated for grades Pre-K - 12 and last for 32 weeks of the school year.

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This curriculum helps build connectedness, resilience and empowerment in students.

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Choose Love programs include Growth Mindset, Neuroscience, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Post-Traumatic Growth, Emotional Intelligence, and more for a solution that is both preventative and proactive. Choose Love is aligned with the new Character and Social Emotional Development Standards (CSED) which include BOTH Character.org and CASEL.

We can make our world better by Choosing Love.

Learn More

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Choose Love Movement - Promoting Hope, Healing & Connection

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We create safer and more loving communities through groundbreaking social and emotional learning (SEL) and character development programs.

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Helps students explore career fields.

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Detailed descriptions of the world-of-work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more. Individuals can find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on their goals and needs. Comprehensive reports include occupation requirements, worker characteristics, and available training, education, and job opportunities.

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This blog provides students with helpful tips and strategies to build good study habits.

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Studying is about finding a right balance between concentration, understanding, retention, and rest. And, just like any task that taxes your energy-be it physical or mental-it is often just as difficult to get started as it is to engage in the task itself.

But don't despair! Whether you need to study for just one test, or want to learn how to study over the long haul and retain a whole term's worth of information, we've got you covered. We'll explain exactly how to study better, helping you revamp both your daily and long-term study habits and giving you the best study tips for managing your time and keeping your focus as you actually study.

And, once you've mastered these study techniques, we'll also show you how to prepare yourself for test day so you can do your very best when the chips are down. So let's get to it!

Building Good Study Habits

Again, exerting both mental energy and physical energy is difficult and many find it tough to keep up over the long term. But a proper approach will help ease the way and keep your studying strong for years to come.

To lay a healthy study foundation and avoid last minute cramming and undue stress, it's necessary to build (and maintain!) a proper study habit. Just like with exercise, the task will become easier and more manageable the more you are able to get into a routine. And you'll be far less likely to lapse back into bad study habits once you've made studying an intractable part of your daily life.

#1: Stick to a Set Schedule

Your brain builds pathways and habits over time, and studying is about building those mental muscles and endurance. Getting into a fixed habit of studying will help you improve your concentration and mental stamina over time. And, just like any other training, your ability to study only improves with time and dedicated effort.

There are many activities that are good for us, but that we often-for whatever reason-dread doing. Whether this is exercising, doing chores, or studying, it's a good idea to set yourself a schedule and stick to it no matter how you're feeling at the moment. It's easy to put off these activities for a thousand reasons: you're busy doing something else, you're tired, you have a headache, you're not in the mood....But the more you hold yourself to a set schedule, the more likely you'll do what you need to do without having to make an endless litany of excuses.

Aside from doing homework, set aside a dedicated 50 to 75 minutes to study each day and then stick to your schedule. You'll find the study rhythm that works best for you, but do know that you don't necessarily have to sit down and eek out those minutes all at once. You can decide to split the time into smaller segments throughout the day, or, if you work better at completing tasks and moving on, you can choose to get your studying done all at once.

One way to divide your after school study time into segments could be:

4:30 - 5:00 - arrive home, eat a snack, relax
5:00 - 5:30 - first study chunk
5:30 - 6:30 - break/homework/other task
6:30 - 6:45 - second study chunk
6:45 - 7:30 - dinner/assignments/other task
7:30 - 8:00 - final study chunk

Or, if you'd rather spend your 50-75 study minutes all at once, then your schedule may look more like:

4:30 - 5:00 - arrive home, eat a snack, relax
5:00 - 6:15 - study time
6:15 - rest of evening - dinner, break, homework, other tasks

How you create your study schedule is up to you, just so long as you stick to it once you've made it and don't deviate.

#2: Schedule Your Studying in Smaller Increments Over a Long Period of Time

By committing 50 to 75 minutes to study every day (and sticking to your schedule!), you'll avoid both burning out your mental energy and being stuck cramming for hours and hours at a time the night before a test.

Not to say that cramming your material can't occasionally "work." Some people are absolutely able to cram for a test the night before and do well, but studying in this way will only store the information in your short-term memory, not your long-term. This means that, by cramming, you can struggle to stay apprised of the material as the semester progresses (especially in classes where previous information builds on later information, such as in science, math, or history classes).

And the long term effect of forcing your brain to cram necessary information at once will not only make studying for finals particularly difficult-essentially forcing you to re- learn a semester's worth of material, rather than being able to simply review it-but making a habit of cramming material at the last minute will only increase your stress and make you feel as though you have to constantly play "catch-up."

By sticking to a schedule of studying for a reasonable amount of time over the entire semester or term, you'll be able to better store and recall the information you need, and thereby reduce some of the stress that comes from schoolwork, tests, and studying.
Though it may seem rigid now, a set study structure will make life easier in the long term.
Setting the Right Study Environment

A proper study schedule is essential, but so is creating the right study environment. Your environment can have a tremendous impact on your concentration and productivity, so figuring out a proper study space will ultimately benefit you and improve your study time.

#3: Stick to the Same Study Spaces

A stable environment for a particular activity can help put you in the right mood and mind frame to complete the task at hand. The same applies for engaging in studying.

It is helpful to have one or two dedicated locations for schoolwork-separate from any "free time" areas-that you use to study in each and every study session. Sometimes this may not be possible if you live in a small dwelling and don't have access to free public spaces like a library, but do the best you can to find a space you can use solely for studying and stick by it.

Your study space will be individual to you, so don't worry about how other people work best. Some people concentrate their best when surrounded by others, like in a study group or a bustling coffee shop, while some people can only study if they're alone or in a completely silent location. Experiment with different environments and spaces until you find the one you seem to work in best and then stick to it as your dedicated "study zone."

#4: Practice Good Study Hygiene

Good study hygiene is about retaining a clear separation between work and rest. This allows you to focus on necessary tasks while minimizing stress and anxiety in the rest of your life.
Make Sure That You DON'T Study In or On Your Bed
We've already talked about keeping a dedicated study space, but now we have to be sure to keep those areas as "hygienic" as possible. How? By following a few key rules of setting up your study environment:

Studying in sleeping areas is the very definition of NOT maintaining a clear separation between work and rest, and most often leads to increased levels of stress and insomnia. This, in turn, can decrease your concentration and ability to study in the long term.
Keep Tantalizing Distractions Far Away
By blurring the lines between study-time and free-time, you'll only create spillover stress for yourself and be stuck in a cyclical effect of non-productivity and anxiety. So keep your study location to a desk, a table, or even a couch, so long as you aren't anywhere on your bed.

It's easy to allow ourselves to take "a quick break" to check our phones, get up and go hunting for a snack, or to let ourselves get caught up searching for irrelevant information on Wikipedia. There are untold distractions all around us that try to lure our concentration away from the task at hand, and giving into temptation can be an awful time suck. The best way to avoid distractions like these is to remove temptation altogether.
Keep Yourself Comfortable, Hydrated, and Fed
Make up a snack for yourself before you start studying so that you're not tempted to get up. Keep your phone far away, and turn off your wifi on your computer if you can. Tell yourself that you can't get up to check on whatever has you distracted until your allotted study time is up. Whatever has you distracted can wait until your study time is over.

Taking care of your body's basic needs will not only help to improve your mood and concentration while you study, but it will also help make sure you avoid needing to get up (and thereby lose your focus) during your study time.

So make sure you take water, a jacket, a snack, coffee, or whatever else you need to your study space so that you can be comfortable, focused, and ready to learn.

Varying Your Study Methods

There are many different ways to study, and none is exclusively better than any other. In fact, diversifying your study techniques, and using a mix of multiple different study methods will help you learn and store your information better than simply sticking to one.

Practicing different study methods and combining different techniques to prevent mental fatigue and keep your brain engaged. And we'll walk through some of the best study techniques here.

#5: Rewrite or Rephrase the Material in Your Own Words

It can be easy to get lost in a textbook and look back over a page, only to realize you don't remember what you just read. But luckily, that can be remedied.

For classes that require you to read large bodies of text, such as history, English, or psychology, make sure to stop periodically as you read. Pause at the end of a paragraph or a section and-without looking!-think about what the text just stated. Re-summarize it in your own words. Now glance back over the material to make sure you summarized the information accurately and remembered the relevant details. Make a mental note of whatever you missed and then move on to the next section.

You may also want to make a bulleted list of the pertinent information instead of just rephrasing it mentally or aloud. Without looking back down at the textbook, jot down the essentials of the material you just read. Then look over the book to make sure you haven't left out any necessary information.

Whether you choose to simply summarize aloud or whether you write your information down, re-wording the text is an invaluable study tool. By rephrasing the text in your own words, you can be sure you're actually remembering the information and absorbing its meaning, rather than just rote copying the info without truly understanding or retaining it.

#6: Teach the Material to Someone Else

Teaching someone else is a great way to distill your thoughts and summarize the information you've been studying. And, almost always, teaching someone else shows you that you've learned more about the material than you think!

Find a study-buddy, or a patient friend or relative, or even just a figurine or stuffed animal and explain the material to them as if they're hearing about it for the first time. Whether the person you're teaching is real or not, the act of teaching material aloud to another human being requires you to re-frame the information in new ways and think more carefully about how all the elements fit together.

And the act of running through your material this way-especially if you do it aloud-helps you more easily lock it in your mind.

#7: Quiz Yourself With Flashcards

Making flashcards is an oft-used study tool and for very good reason! Making your own flash cards can not only help you retain information just through the sheer act of writing it down, but will also help you connect pertinent pieces of information together. So for any subjects in which you must remember the connections between terms and information, such as formulas, vocabulary, equations, or historical dates, flashcards are the way to go.

To make the best use of your flashcards, use the Leitner Method, so that you don't waste your time studying what you already know.

To employ this method, quiz yourself with your flashcards and separate the cards into two different piles. In Pile 1, place the cards you knew and answered correctly, in Pile 2, place the cards you didn't know the answers to.

Now go back through the cards again, but only studying the cards from Pile 2 (the "didn't know" pile). Separate these again as you go through them into Pile 1 (know) and Pile 2 (don't know). Repeat the process of only studying to "don't know" cards until more and more cards can be added to the "know" pile.

Once all the cards are in the "know" pile, go through the whole pile once again to make sure you've retained the information on all the cards.

#8: Make Your Own Diagrams, Formula Sheets, and Charts

Reconstituting information into pictures can help you see and understand the material in new and different ways. For math and science classes, you may want to make yourself a formula sheet in addition to making flashcards. Flashcards will help you to remember each formula in isolation, but making one catch-all formula sheet will give you a handy study reference tool. And making one will, again, help you to retain your information just through the process of writing it down. The bonus is that if you're more of a visual/picture learner, a formula sheet can help you to remember your formulas by recalling how they're situated with one another.

To help you to remember your science processes, create your own diagrams. For instance, for a biology class, draw your own cell and label the components or make your own Krebs cycle diagram. These pictures will typically be in your textbooks, so examine the picture you're given and then create your own diagram without looking at the textbook. See how much you've been able to accurately recreate and then do it again until it's perfect.

Sometimes making your own charts and diagrams will mean recreating the ones in your textbook from memory, and sometimes it will mean putting different pieces of information together yourself. Whatever the diagram type and whatever the class, writing your information down and making pictures out of it will help to lock the material in your mind.

#9: Give Yourself Rewards

To make studying a little more fun, give yourself a small reward whenever you hit a study milestone. For instance, let yourself eat a piece of candy for every 25 flash cards you test yourself on or for every three paragraphs you read (and re-word) in your textbook. Or perhaps give yourself one extra minute of video game or television-watching time for every page you study from your book (to be redeemed only after your study time is over, of course).
You can even make yourself a Study Reward Diagram: studying input -> candy reward -> energy boost -> more studying -> more candy!
Whatever your particular incentive is, let yourself have that small reward-boost to help see you through the days when studying seems particularly taxing.

Making the Most of Your Study Time

Whether you're studying for a particular test or studying to keep yourself apprised of the class material all throughout the term, you'll want to make the most of your allotted daily study time. After all, there's no use setting aside and committing to your 50-75 minutes a day to study if the time is ultimately unproductive.

So make the best of each study session by following these study tips for concentration and memory retention.

#10: Study New Material Within 24 Hours

In order to maintain your knowledge of the class material throughout the term, make life easier on yourself by reviewing any new information you learn on the same day you learned it. Reviewing new material within 24 hours will help you to retain much more of what you learned than if you were to review the same information at a later date.

So make sure to dedicate a portion of each study time to reviewing the information you learned that same day in your classes.

School bombards you with new material each and every day. And even if you're interested in the new material as you're learning it, it's all too easy to let anything new slip away when you have so much else to think about. But once the information has been pushed to the back burner of your mind, your brain will generally discard it rather than storing it into your long term memory.

To combat this "curve of forgetting," make a habit of taking notes in class and then reviewing the material that very same night. This will help lock the information into your long-term memory and serve you well in the future. Just a few minutes in the here and now will save you hours of having to relearn the material at a later date.

#11: Use the Pomodoro Technique to Retain Focus

Everyone loses their concentration from time to time. But, luckily for us, there are time management techniques that can help keep up mental energy and productivity, such as the Pomodoro Technique. The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method for increased focus and concentration, which makes it ideal for tackling studying and homework.

The principle behind the technique is to divvy up your focus and break times into set regimes so that your mind remains sharp and attuned to the task at hand, without giving into fatigue or distraction.

The method is to divide your focus time ("pomodoros") into 25 minute blocks dedicated to a task. And every time you feel your focus drifting, write down what had you distracted, put it aside, and don't give into the temptation to lose focus. (For instance, if you feel compelled to look at your email or look up what year your favorite movie came out, mark down "check email" or "look up favorite movie" and then return to your original task.) This will allow you to acknowledge the distraction and return to it later without having it derail your study time now.

After every 25 minute block of time is complete, give yourself a check mark and allow yourself a 5 minute break. (A good time to check that email!) Once you've reached the fourth check mark (100 minutes of focus and 15 minutes of break), take a 20 minute break. Then begin the cycle again.
To help visualize this technique in action, let's look at it set out in an example schedule:
By balancing up your time and energy between designated periods of focus and rest, you'll be able to tackle studying your topic at hand without mental fatigue and burnout (which can easily occur if you try to marathon your way through a study session) and without losing focus (which can happen if you find yourself taking a break that lasts...indefinitely).

5:00 - 5:25 - first pomodoro

5:25 - 5:30 - short break

5:30 - 5:55 - second pomodoro

5:55: - 6:00 - short break

6:00 - 6:25 - third pomodoro

6:25 - 6:30 - short break

6:30 - 6:55 - fourth pomodoro

6:55 - 7:15 - long break

#12: Know When to Move On

There will always come a point in your studies where you need to simply put down the book and move on. As always, life is about balance, and eventually you'll start to see diminishing returns on your study efforts if you try to spend too much time on one particular topic/class/chapter.

At some point, your time will be better spent studying for other classes, or engaging in an alternate type of study task. Don't stop your studying earlier than your scheduled time, but turn your focus to a different study topic or switch your attention from quizzing yourself with flashcards to making a diagram instead.

It's not always easy to see, but you'll get better and better at realizing when you've hit this stopping point (and not the point five minutes into studying when you're bored) and are no longer retaining focus or information. It may take time, but you'll get there.

Your brain is capable of great things, but even it has its limits. And learning how to maximize your time and energy will keep you from pushing those limits.

Preparing for Test Day

When you're preparing for a test, the actual studying part is only half the battle. The other half comes from being well prepared to actually take the test and giving it your best possible effort.

And these techniques will help you get there.

#13: Get Enough Sleep

The absolute, number one, most important way you can prepare yourself for a test is to sleep the night before. Getting a good night's sleep before a test (and preferably every night) is absolutely paramount.

Sleep increases focus and concentration. The effects of not sleeping are much like being under the influence of alcohol. No matter how well you know the material, taking a test sleep deprived will do you no favors.

A regular sleep schedule is preferable and will do wonders for your overall health, happiness, concentration, and memory. But even if you can't sleep, just closing your eyes and relaxing will help. So if you find yourself grappling with insomnia, let yourself relax in the dark and in your bed instead of whittling away the hours some other way.

#14: Pack Your Gear the Night Before the Test

Whatever it is you need to have, make sure to pack it up the night before. This will help you relax and sleep and will insure you don't leave anything crucial behind in your morning rush out the door.

So pack your pencils, your calculator, and scratch paper. Even lay out your clothes for the next day. Prepare whatever you need to so that you can reduce your stress and help you rest the night before your exam.

#15: Eat Something

Just like with sleeping, making sure to eat something the morning of a test will help you concentrate and focus throughout the day. Anything is better than nothing, but try to eat something that will keep you full and provide you with some protein and carbohydrates.

Whole grains, fruit, and eggs are generally a good bet, but pretty much anything will do in a pinch so long as you get some calories in you (and so long as it isn't pure sugar and caffeine!).

#16: Take a Walk

Exercising, even just a little bit, will help boost your mood, energy, and concentration. If possible, take a walk or do some quick cardio exercises (such as jumping jacks) for ten to twenty minutes before an exam.
...And then take a nap when you're done.
Now you're ready to rock that test-go get it!

The Take-Aways: How to Study Better

Being able to study and study well is a skill and a habit that's built like any other. It takes preparation, time, and diligence to see it through, but once the habit is established, it will simply become a part of your daily routine.

To maintain the proper balance of leisure and work (and, most importantly, avoid burnout and excessive stress), it's best to stick to schedules and divvy up your time and energy over long periods of time. And remember to use that allotted time wisely once you're in the middle of it.
Just take it one step at a time and you'll be amazed at the final results.
Of course an ideal schedule isn't always realistic and there will still be those days you have to cram for whatever reason. But incorporating healthier time management and study methods will benefit you in the long-term and serve you well not only in high school, but in college, in the workplace, and for whatever other task you set your mind to in the future.

What's Next?

Now that you've tackled how to study better, make sure you actually get that studying done by learning how to overcome procrastination.

Unsure about how your GPA ranks with your top school choices? Learn what GPA you need to get into the school you want and how much your GPA matters for college applications.

Studying for the SAT or ACT? Check out some of our expert guides, starting with how to get a perfect score.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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How to Study Better in High School: 16 Expert Tips

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Studying is about finding a right balance between concentration, understanding, retention, and rest. And, just like any task that taxes your energy-be it physical or mental-it is often just as difficult to get started as it is to engage in the task itself. But don't despair!

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Learning Styles - Academy for Advanced Studies

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Has visual stories that cover positive character building and more.

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The NFL & United Way's new digital learning initiative focused on youth character development and healthy relationships.

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There are infographics at the end to help spread SEL

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The vast majority of students, educators, and families agree: Social and emotional learning (SEL) belongs in schools. Multiple independent surveys show that people across backgrounds and experiences understand the value of an education that promotes the social, emotional, and academic development of young people.

If your community does not yet prioritize SEL, you can make a strong case for SEL by sharing the evidence and the perspectives of important stakeholders: parents, educators, students, and more. Use the material below to advocate for high-quality SEL on social media, websites, presentations, and other digital materials.
If you care about kids and if you care about academic achievement, if you care about outcomes in life, SEL is the way to get there.
Take action today

Key Messages: Explaining SEL
Back to top
More than ever, SEL is critical to supporting the academic recovery, mental well-being, and safety of all young people. In addition to sharing the definition and framework [link] for SEL, here are three core messages to highlight when explaining SEL.

SEL is for everyone. SEL develops skills that help us be successful in all parts of our lives-like communicating effectively, setting goals, staying motivated, and making decisions that benefit ourselves and others. With these skills, we can build healthy relationships, succeed in schools and workplaces, and contribute to our communities.

SEL is based in science. Hundreds of independent studies show that SEL leads to better academic performance, improved well-being, and safer schools. It creates positive school environments where children learn the skills they need to succeed in school and in their futures.

SEL brings families, schools, and communities together. The way SEL is implemented in schools and which skills are emphasized are driven by partnerships between families and schools and tailored to the local community's priorities, cultures, and needs.

Surveys: Broad Support for SEL
Back to top Parents and caregivers support SEL ... Real Stories, Real Families: Educators support SEL ... Superintendents nationwide Employers support SEL ... Young people support SEL ... talk about the value of SEL in their communities. Listen to an audio series featuring parents talking about the benefits of SEL in their own words. Back to top
Help us make the case for a quality education with SEL. Download the graphics below and feel free to tag us on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. (@caselorg)

Select a topic below to download the infographic:

Additional Resources
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Implement SEL in your district. Use CASEL's District Resource Center to find research, knowledge, and resources curated from school systems across the U.S. to support high-quality, systemic implementation of SEL. Visit the website.

Implement SEL in your school. Use the CASEL Guide to Schoolwide Social and Emotional Learning to help students excel academically, build stronger relationships, and lead happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Visit the website.

Select an evidence-based program. The CASEL Guide to SEL Programs is designed to help educators and school administrators select an evidence-based SEL program that best meets the needs of their community. Visit the website.

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The vast majority of students, educators, and families agree: Social and emotional learning (SEL) belongs in schools. Multiple independent surveys show

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Patrick - How to counter Learned Helplessness

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Patrick - How to counter Learned Helplessness

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Some strategies to collaborate with teachers on as needed.

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For students who have internalized a message that they’re destined to fail, promoting realistic optimism can be game-changing.

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Patrick - Tips to supports Immigrants and Refugee

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Patrick - Tips to supports Immigrants and Refugee

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4 Tips for Counseling Immigrant and Refugee Students | UMD College of Education

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From letting go of grudges to anxiety in classroom, I come back to counselor Keri from time to time.

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Lots to explore individually and professionally

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I found these starters from ASCA; they have different levels conversation starters and other resources.

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Patrick - School counseling supporting LGBTQ students

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Patrick - School counseling supporting LGBTQ students

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Some main points of the video:

ways to be an inclusive ally

progress sticker

shaping policy

Q&A (my favorite in helping teachers)

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School Counseling Supporting LGBTQ Students with Lisa  Koenecke June2 2020.mp4

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Second step is used to teach SEL K-12

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Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

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We believe all individuals should be empowered to choose a meaningful career and education pathway to position themselves for lifelong success.

Career Development

Career Development is the process by which individuals get to know their strengths and interests; learn how different jobs connect with those interests; explore careers in current labor markets; and build career planning and management skills to achieve career goals. ( National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability)

Career development programs provide instruction and learning experiences to improve career decision-making for all students. This toolkit includes information and resources for Nebraska career development programs. Click within each section to discover and learn more.

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We believe all individuals should be empowered to choose a meaningful career and education pathway to position themselves for lifelong success. Career Development is the process by which individuals get to know their strengths and interests; learn how different jobs connect with those interests; explore careers in current labor markets; and build career planning and management skills to achieve career goals.

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Resources for postsecondary education

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Very useful for junior and senior exploring options for college & scholarships

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Nebraska Career Readiness Standards identified by Nebraska employers, consider them essential skills to career success. Career development is intentional about teaching these skills with increasing complexity and relevance, as students progress in career maturity.

This set of skills support individuals for transitions in life. They are transferable to any career and many other environments outside of the workplace. Every Nebraska student, regardless of background, interests or intent after graduation, need these skills.

Applied appropriate academic and technical skills

Communicates effectively and appropriately

Contributes to employer and community success

Makes sense of problems and perseveres in solving them

Uses critical thinking

Demonstrates innovation and creativity

Models ethical leadership and effective management

Works productively in teams and demonstrates cultural competency

Utilizes technology

Manages personal career development

Attends to personal and financial well-being

Career development begins at an early age. NCE offers Learning Progressions & Indicators for Nebraska Career Readiness Standards starting from early elementary through postsecondary. This comprehensive booklet of standards, progressions and indicators will help with program planning at all developmental stages.

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Nebraska Career Readiness Standards identified by Nebraska employers, consider them essential skills to career success. Career development is intentional about teaching these skills with increasing complexity and relevance, as students progress in career maturity. This set of skills support individuals for transitions in life.

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AI & education

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Highlighted Projects

We engage in multidisciplinary, iterative, and evidence-based research with diverse stakeholders to create new technologies, activities, practices and programs for real-world impact in homes, schools, afterschool programs and online communities.

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We engage in multidisciplinary, iterative, and evidence-based research with diverse stakeholders to create new technologies, activities, practices and programs for real-world impact in homes, schools, afterschool programs and online communities.

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Strategies to support immigrant students

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- Educator response to a Colorín Colorado survey on how schools are supporting immigrant families
Overview

For many immigrant students, issues around immigration that may be affecting their social-emotional health. Other students may be aware that the issues are affecting classmates or may wish to discuss their opinions around these issues. Here are a number of age-appropriate strategies schools and individual teachers can use to help address those challenges in the classroom and beyond.

We also recommend the strategies found in How Do We Support Newcomers' Social-Emotional Needs? from the U.S. Department of Education Newcomer Toolkit, as well as our section on addressing immigrant students' anxiety, trauma, and depression.

Help students maintain their routine

Why this matters

Having a safe and familiar place to go can make a huge difference for students who are experiencing uncertainty, trauma, or stress; a normal routine can offer stability and distraction from worries at home.

One respondent to our 2017 survey on how schools are supporting immigrant students writes, "For kids as young as the ones I teach, keeping the routine going is vital, as well as reassuring them that we love them and want them here in school with us."

Tips for getting started

You may also wish to look at students' schedules and look for ways to reduce the number disruptions and transitions where possible. ELL administrator Kristina Robertson writes,
Think about what kinds of supports are available in the school environment if students have had very little school experience or if they've experienced trauma. These students may benefit from a lot of structure and attention from the same small group of people on a regular basis and a regular schedule. For elementary students, this may mean reducing the number of transitions and classroom switches throughout the day, which can be overwhelming - this is a particular challenge for ELLs who are struggling and being pulled out for multiple kinds of services and support. For secondary students, consider connecting students with adult mentors that can provide a check-in each day, as well as a place to take a break when needed.
Encourage teachers and staff to listen to students

Why this matters

Sometimes what students need most is for someone to listen. ELL administrator Kristina Robertson notes that this is a particularly important role educators can play since many immigrant students are aware of their parents' already high levels of stress and don't wish to worry them further. She writes, "Many immigrant students I've worked with have said, 'I don't want to say anything to my mom because she is already so worried.'" Anyone can play this role for kids - bus drivers, cafeteria staff, or the school nurse can have an impact by taking a few minutes to check in with a child.

In our webinar with UCLA researchers about the impact of immigration policy on schools (2018), Dr. Patricia Gándara also encourages teachers to continue to "share with students a deep sense of caring and a real relationship; more than ever, it is important for teachers to know what is going on with their kids."

Tips for getting started

Without singling students out, look for ways to check in and find one-on-one time at lunch, during group work, before or after school, or during another activity or class. Consider whether having some small group break-out conversations might also be helpful.

In these conversations:

Be mindful of protecting student privacy.

Avoid drawing attention to your immigrant students in front of peers.

Let students know they can talk to you at any time.

Be as honest as possible and acknowledge the uncertainty of the moment as well as the difficulty of the challenges students are facing.

Avoid platitudes such as, "I'm sure it will be fine," or "Everything will work out." Instead, try, "That sounds really hard. You can always talk to me when you need to."

Determine whether students have someone they can talk to in their own language and help make those connections if needed.

Ideas from educators

Many educators who participated in our survey shared their ideas for giving students a chance to talk. Teachers wrote that they are:

Allowing students to talk and share their feelings about what they are experiencing.

Offering class time as a space for expressing concerns and sharing thoughts and attempt to have questions answered. They responded well to that opportunity.

A number of respondents also shared specific steps they had taken to reach out students by:

See more information on challenges that immigrant students may be experiencing for important background on this topic, as well as ideas for supporting young children.

Bullying prevention

Read more about tips for protecting ELLs and immigrant students from bullying in your classroom and school in this article from Language Lizard.

Recommended resources

Recommended videos

Provide ideas for age-appropriate ways to express emotions and manage stress

Why this matters

There are lots of other ways that kids can express their emotions beyond conversation. The UCLA team shares the experience of an art teacher from Texas: "As an art teacher, I saw many students drew and colored images of their parents and themselves being separated, or about people stalking/hunting their family" (Gándara & Ee, 2018a, p. 9).

Tips for getting started

Giving students strategies to express emotions and manage stress

You may wish to introduce this topic by asking students how they manage difficult topics - they may never have thought about it! Consider sharing the following activities that educators have recommended and giving students opportunities to practice these activities. You may also wish to invite a school counselor to lead a class discussion and share strategies such as:

One teacher who responded to our survey wrote,
Having students keep journals can be effective. The journals are used for processing their learning, but at times, utilizing the journal to share their concerns and feelings. The journal can be kept between the student and the teacher or students may elect to share their journals with classmates. Teacher comments and feedback are a very important aspect of the journals. This is a safe way for students to express their thoughts and for teachers to identify student needs.
Another teacher wrote of a student activity in which students could write their thoughts about current events on sticky notes for all to see in the cafeteria.

Note: Activities such as sitting with eyes closed may be triggers for students who have experienced trauma. For ideas on how to use mindfulness in trauma-based teaching, as well as what to avoid, take a look at Why Mindfulness And Trauma-Informed Teaching Don't Always Go Together from KQED.

Giving students the words they need to express themselves

Another important tool that can help students, particularly English language learners (ELLs), is to teach them words and phrases that will help express emotions, much in the way a teacher teaches academic language. Some strategies for this include:

ELL administrator Kristina Robertson writes,
One of our after-school workers said she has many bilingual students (mostly boys) who get into fights across cultures because they just don't have the words to express their frustration or needs, so their anger builds. How can we think about ways to intentionally teach language about feelings and appropriate ways to express emotion? We are so focused on teaching academic language and basic needs of following rules in a classroom that we overlook the need to learn how to express our emotions. This is a terrible feeling for a student who is sad or angry.
Developing social-emotional skills

Help students develop their social-emotional skills with the following strategies:

Recommended resources

Take a closer look when you notice changes in a student's behavior

Why this matters

The impact of immigration issues on students can lead to changes in students' behavior. The American Psychological Association notes, "These stressful experiences can lead to a number of negative emotional and behavioral outcomes including anxiety, fear, depression, anger, social isolation and lack of a sense of belonging." The impacts can be especially severe on young children.

When such changes present themselves, it is critical to dig deeper to find the root cause, especially before taking action that will have serious, long-term consequences for the student. This is where having a relationship with the student can make a big difference. Viridiana Carrizales, co-founder and CEO of ImmSchools, says "An educator who does not have a relationship with their students is only going to see a kid who is misbehaving or disengaged" (Dillard, 2018, p. 45).

Often the first response to a change in behavior is a special education referral or disciplinary referral, which is not necessarily appropriate for the situation (see more on these issues below). It is also essential to use a team approach that includes a variety of perspectives, including that of the family and an interpreter or cultural liaison, in order to:

address concerns or changes in student behavior

ensure that families have access to all information in their home language.

Student stories

For some concrete examples of this issue, see the following student stories:

In their chapter on cultural dilemmas in Teachers as Allies: Transformative Practices for Teaching DREAMers and Undocumented Students, Dr. Eva K. Thorp, Dr. Sylvia Y. Sánchez, and Dr. Elaisa Sánchez Gosnell share the following experience. A teacher approached the group out of concern about an immigrant student's sudden change in behavior; the teacher was weighing whether or not to refer the student to special education. The team suggested that the teacher make a home visit; upon doing so, the teacher learned that "(t)he child's father had recently been detained, no one in the family knew where he had been taken, and out of fear, the student's mother had left the country. The student was living under the care of her 18-year-old sibling" (p. 20).

Based on this information, the teacher was able to find a more appropriate avenue of support rather than a special education referral. Lori Dodson talks more about this issue in her video below, "Why not all changes in behavior require a special education."

Tips for getting started

If you are concerned about an immigrant student's behavior, consider looking at the following questions as you think about how to respond, always taking care to respect students' privacy.

What do you know about the student and the student's home life?

Is there a colleague who can provide some additional insight on the student's situation?

Are there particular stressors impacting the student?

Are any of the following issues playing a role?

◦ Challenges in meeting basic needs
◦ Immigration issues that impact students
◦ Causes of stress and anxiety

Recommended resources

Recommended videos

Why not all changes in behavior require a special education referral

Make connections to the curriculm

Why this matters

Connecting current events to the classroom can broaden student understanding of timely topics, increase empathy and engagement, draw upon students' unique experiences and perspectives, and empower students during a moment of uncertainty.

Teacher Anna Centi, who teaches newcomer students and refugees from Yemen in Dearborn, Michigan, also has found that students are more likely to tackle challenging material if they can relate to it. One book that has resonated with her students is A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park.

Tips for getting started

Brainstorm ideas

Assign students projects that focus on issues that apply to their own community.

Identify community assets and resources that you can utilize. Look for opportunities to make connections with guest speakers, community members, or local organizations in the community that reflect students' lives and can be used as resources.

Offer students opportunities to present their work in public, whether to classmates, parents, or community members through presentations, local media, and outreach.

Encourage students to look for contributions members of their local community have made. (See more on this on idea from Dr. Sandra Duval.)

Use care with challenging topics

These topics can be difficult to navigate, particularly if they impact members of the class personally. One teacher notes that in her government class, "some students have been quite strident in supporting separation of families." When discussing controversial topics:

Do careful research and look for materials from well-established, trustworthy sources.

Think about your own point of view and possible biases.

Be well-prepared and anticipate the need to manage discussions on controversial topics.

Consider the best way to approach the topic so as not to put students on the spot.

Assure students that you will respect their privacy when introducing a topic like immigration, and that they do not have to share any personal information to participate. (See more on this topic in our section on immigrant students' silence below.)

Create a list of guidelines for respectful classroom discussion with the class.

Look for strategies designed to increase student understanding and dialogue, such as dialogue circles and the activities compiled by from Facing History and Ourselves.

Look for ways to foster students' empathy. (See ideas under the section on "Teaching empathy" below.)

Recommended resources

Recommended videos

Why this matters

Empathy can help build community and a culture of respect in a classroom or school. A first step in developing empathy is to understand how issues affect an individual personally - this can be a powerful exercise for staff and students alike. Given that empathy is considered one of the most critical 21 st-century skills for students to learn, these exercises can have long-lasting impacts for students. See more about that topic from KQED.

Tips for getting started

Find out what resources your school or district has available for social-emotional learning.

Identify your goals for developing empathy, including relevant topics for your classroom, school community, or colleagues.

Review the following resources to find the activities that best fit your setting.

Consider collaborating with colleagues, even informally, to find ways to extend your efforts to more students and staff.

Activity idea

If only you knew me: In a series of Education Week blog posts edited by Larry Ferlazzo on how to teach controversial topics, teacher Paul Barnwell describes an activity in which students write three things about themselves that classmates do not know. As the teacher then reads them anonymously to the class, the students begin to get an idea of the "range of intense experiences and perspectives (the) classroom community contains."

Expressing appreciation

Giving students the chance to express their appreciation for others is another way to create community and developing empathy. It allows students to identify positive traits and behaviors in each other; build self-esteem; and highlights student qualities that the teacher might have overlooked. Students can express appreciation for each other, teachers, and staff with activities such as:

Appreciation mailbox: Each student creates an envelope, folder, or "mailbox" in which classmates can leave an anonymous note of appreciation, such as, "He is a good soccer player," or "She picked up something I dropped." The point is to find something positive for each person in the class. This can be an ongoing exercise or a special activity.

Appreciate station: This is a more public version of the above activity where students post thank you notes publicly for classmates, teachers, or staff in the building. This blog post shares ideas for getting started.

This helped my learning: Teacher David Olio regularly gives his students note cards and asks them to write down a way in which a classmate helped their learning. This highlights students' contributions for him and the class - and offers some opportunities for informal assessment as well.

Recommended resources

Edutopia

Teaching Tolerance

More classroom resources

Related strategies from this guide

Recommended videos

Pay attention to what students do - and do not - say about immigration

Why this matters

Immigrant students, including young children, regularly navigate decisions about what to say in conversations about immigration or related topics throughout the school day. There is now more research focusing on this topic, including on the significance of students' silence with respect to immigration issues and status.

Case study: Celebrating diversity

In her research based on extensive classroom observations of peer discussions at an elementary school in Brooklyn, Dr. Ariana Mangual Figueroa (2017) notes a range of circumstances that can impact what students will or will not share about themselves, including:

Dr. Mangual Figueroa observed a variety of classroom activities at the school; one situation she highlights took place in a social-emotional learning class about bullying. In an effort to increase understanding about students' diversity, the teacher had planned an activity in which students would stand when their country of origin was called.

However, she had not taken into account that some of the students were not born in the U.S.; after some initial confusion, she asked everyone "not born here" to stand. Dr. Mangual Figueroa noted that an undocumented student in the class, Lupe, remained seated through the exercise and mumbled that she wouldn't stand up. Dr. Mangual Figueroa writes,
The way this exercise - intended to foster inclusion - in fact alienated certain students is revealing. Educators may assume that students will feel comfortable talking about their identity during activities meant to elicit multicultural perspectives designed to honor their culture and experiences in school. By creating a situation in which students would have to publically identify with a home country that might then raise questions about nationality and citizenship, (the teacher) inadvertently turned the activity from one of celebrating diversity into one that generated student fear of revealing their differences in legal status.
This does not suggest that activities celebrating diversity and students' cultures are out of place. Instead, it may be worth it to examine the activities, determine whether they might put students on the spot, and try reframing them. Dr. Mangual Figueroa encourages teachers to:

Note: You may find some helpful ideas in our resource section on adapting assignments about family history and genealogy to include diverse families and students who are adopted.

Case study: Talking about campaign rhetoric

In a separate study (2018), Dr. Sandra L. Osorio shares the approach that she and a teacher in a dual-language second-grade classroom used to respond to a classroom discussions about immigration rhetoric during the 2016 election. Dr. Osorio and her co-teacher decided to create a lesson centered on culturally sustaining pedagogy and used the picture book From North to South/Del norte al sur by René Colato Laínez. They found that their students had deep funds of knowledge about immigration, citizenship, and family separation; by talking about immigration explicitly, the teachers created a supportive environment in which students could discuss their concerns and experiences in the midst of much uncertainty.

In addition to integrating art and civic action into the classroom, Dr. Osorio also recommends the following:
What every teacher can do is position him- or herself as a learner and welcome students' funds of knowledge (González, Moll, & Amanti, 2005) into the classroom. Teachers must be willing to create opportunities for students to share their lived experiences. Some additional ways that Natalia and I did this in our classroom were by including multicultural children's literature, inviting families into the classroom, having a Latinx author visit the classroom, and taking up topics students brought into the classroom (e.g., La Llorona, or the Weeping Woman, Mayan legends, and immigration).
A decision to "shatter the silence"

For a personal take on living in the shadows as undocumented students, read this interview with twin sisters Brizzia and Maria Muñoz Robles, who are both students at Notre Dame. They were the first twin valedictorians of their high school and are DACA recipients who talk about what it was like to hide their undocumented status throughout all of their schooling, until a conversation with the former president of Notre Dame gave them the courage to share their story.

Related research and resources

If you'd like to explore more on this topic, take a look at the following. Some of the research reports may require a subscription to download.
Books and guides Research reports
Tips for getting started

In addition to the recommendations from these researchers, Dr. Emily Crawford-Rossi, a researcher at the University of Missouri studying this issue, recommends looking for opportunities to:

Recommended videos

Use books in the classroom and beyond

Why this matters

Books can be a powerful doorway into a topic that is complex and highly personal. They can serve as mirrors for students who see their experiences reflected and validated; they can also serve as windows for other students (and adults) who gain a new perspective, some background knowledge, and perhaps a new level of empathy as well.

As Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, who created the "windows and mirrors" metaphor, says, "When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience."

Tips for getting started

Look for books related to your students' experiences and cultures. Ask colleagues for their input on cultural authenticity.

Look for books that focus on immigration stories.

Include the books you find in classroom libraries, in school libraries, and in reading rooms, parent resource rooms, or other places where families will be able to share them together.

Look for ways to include these books as a part of a class unit or classroom read-aloud.

Keep in mind that picture books can be great resources for older students and adults as well, particularly when addressing a complex topic.

Recommended resources

Colorín Colorado has compiled the following resources:

Learn how your families approach social-emotional health

The notion of "mental health" and how to address different challenges or topics can vary widely across cultures. Collaboration among cultural liaisons, ESL/bilingual staff, school psychologists, and families is critical for meeting students' needs in this area. In addition, families have numerous strengths and coping strategies that can be harnessed in supportive settings.

Tips for getting started

Social worker Laura Gardner encourages schools to engage with families and talk about:

what has helped the family overcome difficult situations in the past

what the family sees as its strengths, and as their children's strengths

their own coping strategies

how difficult situations are addressed in their culture

how the school/program might make members of a particular community feel welcome or supported

how to rebuild their extended family systems/informal community networks

what kinds of information or support the family may want.

Recommended resources

Recommended videos

References

See our complete reference list for works cited in this article.

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How to Provide Social-Emotional Support for Immigrant Students

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Educator response to a Colorín Colorado survey on how schools are supporting immigrant families For many immigrant students, issues around immigration that may be affecting their social-emotional health. Other students may be aware that the issues are affecting classmates or may wish to discuss their opinions around these issues.

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Great Social and Emotional Learning Curricula and Programs | Common Sense Education

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Great Social and Emotional Learning Curricula and Programs is a list of 16 apps, games, and websites curated by Common Sense Education editors.

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Thorne-Helpful trends for new counselors

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Thorne-Helpful trends for new counselors

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I love this guys videos! They are very informative but he also keeps things engaged.

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2025 Survival Guide: Thriving as a New School Counselor

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Thorne-works with families, children and communities to encourage students to become independent learners

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Thorne-works with families, children and communities to encourage students to become independent learners

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The Academic Development Institute (ADI) works with families, schools, and communities so that all children may become self-directed learners, avid readers, and responsible citizens, respecting themse

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Scholarships.com offers you a quick, easy and free college scholarship search to save you hours sorting through the millions of scholarships in our database. However, for those of you who prefer to root around and sort through thousands of our most popular awards, we have this enormous list of great opportunities to help pay your way through college. Please feel free to dig in, take a look around and if you have any questions whatsoever, don't hesitate tocontact us.

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Scholarships.com offers you a quick, easy and free college scholarship search to save you hours sorting through the millions of scholarships in our database. However, for those of you who prefer to root around and sort through thousands of our most popular awards, we have this enormous list of great opportunities to help pay your way through college.

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As the LGBTQ community is growing, we need to make sure we can understand, respect and work with ALL people that come into our rooms.

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LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

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LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more.

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Many words can have different meanings. This is a great tool to help with clarity.

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Thorne-Helping our students with special needs

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Thorne-Helping our students with special needs

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There is a location in Lincoln, NE, but there are several locations in other places. Sometimes students will need these outside referrals for some additional help.

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Premier ABA Therapy for Preschool Children in Lincoln, NE | Stride Autism Centers

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Now enrolling ages 2 to 6. We accept Medicaid and more! Let us help with the insurance paperwork. Call today for a free consultation in Lincoln.

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Trends change yearly in schools. This is a very informational site regarding how to navigate and go with changes in order to give our students the best 'us' we can!

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In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of school counselors has never been more critical. Recently, we had the pleasure of engaging in insightful conversation with three distinguished school counselors: Kristin Nye , Lead School Counselor, Anna P. Mote Elementary School, Wilmington, Del.; Jennifer Sack , Lead School Counselor, Booker T. Washington High School, Tulsa, Okla.; and, Brian Coleman , 2019 School Counselor of the Year and school counselor at Jones College Prep in Chicago, Ill. Moderated by Richard Long, executive director of the Learning First Alliance, the discussion shed light on the growing and intensifying challenges facing school counselors today.

Trends and challenges:

One of the foremost challenges highlighted by the counselors is the increasing need for counseling services among students. With this growing demand, school counselors are having to adapt to meet diverse needs, while at the same time, developing preventive techniques. Staying current with best practices and approaches requires counselors to navigate at least four domains: mental health, behavior, development, and academics. Counselors also must be able to understand what young children are asking for even when the child or youth doesn't have the vocabulary or life experiences to communicate clearly. Counselors also need to help guide parents through the complexities of what is frequently a daunting mental health system at a time of family crisis.

Telehealth's impact:

A significant shift discussed during the interviews was the rise of telehealth services, particularly during the pandemic. The counselors shared anecdotes about students continuing their sessions at home by phone during school hours. Now back in the school setting, students want to continue with their therapists, presenting privacy concerns and challenges. For example, one counselor found that a student was simply stepping into the hall, with no privacy. There are many other potential disruptions and challenges to consider. These include the question of who is checking on the therapist who is working with the student and, what if the session leaves the student feeling vulnerable or at loose ends? Also, is there adequate private space for the counselor to meet with the student?

Given the rise in the need for counseling services, schools frequently have the school counselors looking for spaces for the students to meet in private, and to have a counselor nearby to check on the student before they go back to class. But what if there are several students needing a private place, and there is only one room?

For the elementary school counselor, telehealth presents unique challenges, especially during crisis situations where immediate evaluations are required. Balancing the needs of individual students while ensuring the well-being of others is a paramount concern.

Building relationships and emotional literacy:

The interviews also delved into how school counselors are working with teachers to assess students' needs and find the time to build relationships with students. This also includes knowing how to recognize and affirm students' emotional skills. The reason being that students need to learn what emotional tools are and how and when to use them, providing them with lifelong tools for emotional regulation.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, our discussions with the school counselors highlighted the multifaceted challenges counselors are currently facing and their invaluable contributions to students' well-being. From logistical and traumatic issues to psychological and developmental hurdles, school counselors need to be adept in various disciplines so that they can quickly assess what each child needs, and then figure out how to best meet those needs. Our conversations underscored the evolving role of school counselors and the importance of equipping them with the knowledge and resources to effectively support their students. Follow this to listen to the entire interviews and gain deeper insights.

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Navigating the Changing Landscape of School Counseling: Insights from Interviews with Leading Counselors - Learning First

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In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of school counselors has never been more critical.

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This is just kind of a fun thing to do with students while they are trying to figure out 'after high school' steps. It would even be fun to do at the beginning of the year and then at the end.

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Take the free 6-minute Predictive Index Behavioral Assessment to learn how your natural strengths can help you meet your business goals.

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This is perfect for elementary school or even early middle school age. There are several videos by the Mental Health Center Kids

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Circle Of Control Activity For Kids - Good Mental Health And Stress Management

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Klein- Free SEL Lessons and Videos for Counselors and Teachers from Discovery Education

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Klein- Free SEL Lessons and Videos for Counselors and Teachers from Discovery Education

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These lessons are totally free and can be used in conjunction with CASEL.

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Free SEL Activities and Videos for Counselors and Teachers - The Responsive Counselor

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When Discovery Education reached out to me about their new, free SEL activities, I was excited to share with you all what they have.

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Klein- The Role of Counselors and Social Emotional Learning

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Klein- The Role of Counselors and Social Emotional Learning

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This is a great article that not only outlines what social/emotional learning is, but also how school counselors play an important part of it.

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School Counseling in Developing Social Emotional Skills | Carson-Newman University

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Learn how school counseling supports social-emotional learning, boosting students’ well-being & academic success through tailored SEL activities & programs.

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This article was interesting, because it talks about using SEL proactively instead of as a way to fix a problem that is occurring. Something else interesting is the author is the School Counseling coordinator for Omaha Public Schools!

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Proactive SEL - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

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The coronavirus pandemic continues to create an unpredictable educational landscape. To help students cope with and recover from the extreme stress and trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools are turning to social/emotional learning (SEL) strategies.

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Students will:

1. present a visual product or display of the decisions and strategies needed to achieve future educational and career goals.

2. demonstrate how to overcome barriers in their lives to attain future success.

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Students will:

1. examine their short and long-term goals and the assets they might have in their lives that would help them achieve these goals.

2. write a short narrative explaining how they intend to connect their personal assets to goal achievement.

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Trevor Project Page

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Get immediate help 24/7/365. The Trevor Project’s crisis counselors are just a text, chat, or phone call away. Completely confidential and free LGBTQ hotline.

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Anxiety Fact Sheet

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Time Management

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Communication Skills

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Klein-College and Career Readiness Guidance for Parents and School Leaders

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Klein-College and Career Readiness Guidance for Parents and School Leaders

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Interesting article that breaks down the different support systems students should have when looking at college and career readiness.

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Resource roundup: College and career readiness guidance for families and education leaders | IES

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Everyone in the school community has a responsibility to prepare students for life after high school. We gathered resources and research from across the REL network to provide guidance for all those involved in supporting students’ college and career readiness.

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Klein- How Can Counselors Help Students Access Resources?

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Klein- How Can Counselors Help Students Access Resources?

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NBCC article that has great info for counselors on how to best guide students who are seeking careers after high school. It gives good info about aptitude tests, as well.

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For many individuals, choosing or changing a career path can be daunting. The decisions along the way can have far-reaching consequences, but counselors are poised to guide clients by assessing their college or career readiness and helping them develop a strategy for success.

Christine D. Lewis, PhD, NCC, NCSC, LPC, was a K-12 school counselor for 8 years before becoming an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Lewis recently discussed the importance of assessing readiness and how counselors can become agents for change, helping individuals make informed decisions and navigate the steps necessary to achieve their goals.
How can school counselors best support high school students transition into college or work?
When it comes to helping high school students transition into college or careers, support should start much earlier. School counselors at every level should collaborate to guide students toward their future aspirations, especially in ways that may be unfamiliar to them. By the time students reach high school, many have already decided whether college is for them or if they'd rather pursue a career. My biggest concern is for students from special populations, first-generation, and those who feel discouraged or uncertain about their next steps after graduation regardless of the support they have. I believe exposure is key for all students. There are so many career paths students might excel in if only they knew those options existed. For students from marginalized backgrounds, representation matters just as much. Seeing someone who looks like them in a particular field can be life-changing, making their goals feel more attainable.

I also believe special attention should be given to first-generation students who may need extra guidance in navigating the college and/or career process and to students with disabilities who require support in finding schools and scholarships that meet their needs. It would be beneficial to teach those advocacy skills because at the college/university level, disability services replace Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), and students often must seek support. The same goes for those seeking careers. How can the high school counselor support the student's voice so that confidence can be built, so that when they enter the workforce, they can share how they learn and the anxieties they have in working certain areas of the job?
Are there college readiness assessments you've used that you could tell us about? What role do they play in helping a student prepare?
Though there are many college readiness assessments out there, it depends on what the state and/or school district has selected to support college readiness that a school would or could use. I will say from my experience with students taking the assessments and teaching assessments, the major piece is what we are doing and how we are interpreting the results. Is there someone sitting down with students to help them research and explore the areas of interest the assessment has pointed out?

In my experience, students can dismiss results feeling as if they do not fit them or wonder why the results didn't put them in the category of their preferred career. Many college and career-based assessments have left students to explore majors and careers on their own, and that can be frustrating and an information overload. With that being said, school counselors must ask themselves "What can I or my school counseling program do to support student exploration of college majors and/or careers?"
How can counselors help individuals considering a career change? Are there assessments that work better with these clients?
One of the first steps is to self-assess their transferable skills. The abilities and experiences they've gained in previous roles could apply to a new field. At the same time, it's important to reflect on the aspects of past careers that weren't a great fit or led to burnout. What was it about those that had an impact on their loss of interest? Exploring new career options isn't just about what someone is good at; it's also about finding work that aligns with their interests, values, and long-term goals. Talking to professionals in industries of interest and planning financially for the transition are also key parts of the process.

Career assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) can be helpful tools in this journey. The Strong Interest Inventory helps individuals identify careers that align with their interests, sometimes revealing fields they may not have previously considered. The MBTI focuses on personality types and how they relate to work environments, decision-making, and job satisfaction. These assessments can provide insights into potential career paths, but they are only as useful as the interpretation that follows. As counselors supporting clients in career exploration, we need to guide individuals through their results, helping them see how their interests and strengths connect to real-world opportunities.
If a client wants to pursue a career they don't seem particularly well-suited for, how do you navigate that scenario?
I work with this yearly, with students pursuing careers in school or clinical mental health counseling. Some begin their journey wanting to become school counselors but aren't sure if they want to pursue clinical mental health, and vice versa. We often have students who find their passion a year after program admission and switch or decide to pursue both licensures. When that happens, I always start by asking my advisees and students their "why" for this profession. Understanding someone's "why" helps them identify their motivations and interests in any particular career. But just as important is having honest conversations about the challenges they may face and whether they will support or hinder their career path and future satisfaction.

For example, when I was a school counselor, I had students tell me they wanted to be professional athletes, but they had never played a sport. Now, that's not to say they couldn't start training and improve, but if they had no intention of putting in the work, the reality of becoming a pro athlete was pretty slim. Instead of shutting down their dreams and career aspirations, I'd always ask, "What's plan B?" Having an alternative path helped them think about other things they might be good at and the skills they already have.

A strong counselor-client relationship can make a huge difference in career exploration. Sometimes, people don't even realize the skills they naturally use in everyday life, and as counselors, we can help them see their strengths and explore multiple career paths. My approach has always been to support my clients' dreams and career aspirations, but also to have the tough conversations about what's realistic. I encourage them to map out their journey and what steps they'd need to take, what challenges they might face, and what their backup plan is. If they don't have one, we begin to explore one. Most of the time, by talking through this process, they come to their own realization about whether that career is truly the right fit for them.
Having certain aptitudes and abilities may not equal enthusiasm for a particular career. For instance, a person skilled in math may not be interested in a related career. What should counselors know about being aware of and dismissing these "career assumptions"?
Career assessments can be helpful, but they don't always capture a person's true passion for a career field. In fact, they can sometimes be discouraging when someone doesn't see their dream job listed in the results. I've seen this happen often in schools: Students take a career assessment or aptitude test, and when their desired career isn't on the list or when they don't score high enough on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) for the military branch they want to join, they feel frustrated or defeated. I've worked with students who decided not to pursue the military simply because they didn't score high enough for their preferred branch.

It's important to remind clients that assessments don't define their entire future. Just because an assessment suggests a different career path, or they don't initially qualify for a specific opportunity doesn't mean they're out of options. There are ways to improve scores, explore alternative pathways, or even reconsider other career fields that align with their interests and skills. The key is to keep the conversation open, encourage resilience, and help them see that there's more than one way to reach their goals. But I must say, that's where counselors come in to remind them that these assessments are just a tool, not a final decision on their future.

We also have to consider cultural expectations. Many students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, may not have been exposed to a wide range of careers or service branches, or are misinformed on the duties. If they don't see people who look like them in a particular field or haven't heard of certain professions before, those options may seem far-fetched or completely out of reach.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in counseling individuals about preparing for college and/or careers?
To be supporting an individual with career exploration, it's necessary to develop strong listening and communication skills. Understanding your clients' and students' needs starts with being fully present and engaged in their present and past experiences. Also, staying informed about labor market trends and educational requirements can support client exploration because career paths are constantly evolving, and the more up to date you are, the better guidance you can provide.

It's equally important to be knowledgeable and open to understanding diverse cultures and backgrounds. Career decisions are often influenced by cultural expectations, family dynamics, and personal experiences, so having a culturally responsive approach can make a significant impact. Building and maintaining professional networks is another key aspect. Having a list of area resources, whether for job shadowing opportunities, mentorship, or simple career conversations, can help clients and students explore their options in a more hands-on way.
Are there any resources or trainings you'd recommend?
For school counselors, understanding what Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offer in your district is a game-changer. These programs can provide students with practical skills, certifications, and direct entry into the workforce. Connecting students with local Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) can also open doors to apprenticeships, internships, and career readiness programs.

As counselors, we have access to ongoing professional development and training that enhance our ability to support career exploration. Taking advantage of these resources ensures that we continue growing in our field and, most importantly, that we're giving our students and clients the best possible guidance for their futures. To start, counselors should explore their local and regional counseling organizations, as well as national groups like the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the National Career Development Association (NCDA). Additionally, organizations such as the College Board and local WDBs often provide workshops, networking opportunities, and resources that can enhance career counseling strategies. Attending these events and engaging with industry professionals can help counselors stay informed and better support their students and clients in career exploration and planning.
Dr. Christine D. Lewis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). A native of Collierville, Tennessee, Dr. Lewis earned her PhD in counselor education from The University of Mississippi in Oxford. Before joining ETSU, she served as a secondary school counselor and worked in clinical mental health settings in Mississippi. She is a licensed school counselor in Mississippi and Tennessee and holds an LPC in clinical mental health in Mississippi. She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC).

**Opinions and thoughts expressed in NBCC Visions Newsletter articles belong to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or practices of NBCC and Affiliates.

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NBCC | National Board for Certified Counselors & Affiliates

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The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) is a not-for-profit, independent certification organization.

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This is a service that costs money to a district, obviously. We use PowerSchool in Elkhorn and Naviance is a well-known counseling program.

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Educators play a crucial role in helping students talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination. Learning how to communicate about such topics as white privilege, police violence, economic inequality and mass incarceration requires practice, and facilitating critical conversations with students demands courage and skill.

This guide offers classroom-ready strategies you can use to plan discussions and to facilitate these conversations with your students. We hope you find this guide useful and that you'll share it with colleagues. And don't forget to check out our related resources.

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This resource is for educators working to build their own competency facilitating classroom conversations about critical topics like identity, discrimination and inequality.

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Klein-ASCA Position Statement on Academic Development 

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Klein-ASCA Position Statement on Academic Development 

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This talks about why counselors are responsible for academic outcomes in students and how they use data to get outcomes.

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The School Counselor and Academic Development

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School counselors deliver programs that have an impact on student growth in three domain areas: academic development, career development and social/emotional development (ASCA, 2019). School counselors recognize students should demonstrate growth in these domains equally to be successful. School counselors understand these domains are not considered separate but are intertwined, each affecting the other (Schenck, Anctil, & Smith, 2010, p.

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10 Ways To Start a Conversation About Race | Race Forward

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Here are some simple ways to get involved with Kellogg’s National Day of Racial Healing, which encourages all people to begin and continue conversations about race, equity, healing and reparations.

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Micah Green discusses a different way students can approach the path to academic success.

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The Academic Achievement Trap | Micah Green | TEDxTAMUSalon

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This article has some ideas for school counselors to use AI for. No guilt!! No Shame!!

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Artificial Intelligence In the World of School Counseling

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AI is everywhere, so how does it impact school counselors? Counselor Lizette Baumann decided to explore the options and see if it could make time in her day for what she truly cared about – students & families.

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Klein-Supporting Students with Illegal Immigration Status

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Klein-Supporting Students with Illegal Immigration Status

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Great Article (and lengthy) about supporting immigrant students. Very relevant in today's world, with ICE raids and protests. We often forget so many students are going through this with family members.

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Klein-3 Tiers of Intervention for Chronic Absenteeism 

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Klein-3 Tiers of Intervention for Chronic Absenteeism 

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I have this article bookmarked from a previous class. It gives great information for school counselors who deal with students who are frequently absent.

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3 Tiers of Intervention - Attendance Works

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Attendance Works recommends a tiered approach that starts with foundational supports for the whole school. These foundational supports are followed by prevention-oriented supports for attendance (Tier1), more personalized outreach or early intervention (Tier 2), and intensive intervention (Tier 3).

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Haley Gillett-School Counselor Perceptions of Preparation and Importance of College and Career Readiness Counseling-

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Haley Gillett-School Counselor Perceptions of Preparation and Importance of College and Career Readiness Counseling-

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School Counselor Perceptions of Preparation and Importance of College and Career Readiness Counseling - Alexandra Novakovic, Eva N. Patrikakou, Melissa S. Ockerman, 2021

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This study addresses school counselors’ perceptions of the importance of college and career readiness counseling and their preparedness to implement aspects of…

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Haley Gillett-Operation Occupation: A College and Career Readiness Intervention for Elementary Students

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Haley Gillett-Operation Occupation: A College and Career Readiness Intervention for Elementary Students

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Operation Occupation: A College and Career Readiness Intervention for Elementary Students - Melissa Mariani, Carolyn Berger, Kathleen Koerner, Cassie Sandlin, 2016

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This article describes efforts undertaken to design, deliver, and evaluate a college and career readiness (CCR) unit for fifth-grade students. Preliminary findi…

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Haley Gillett-Social/Emotional Learning Implementation and Student Outcomes

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Haley Gillett-Social/Emotional Learning Implementation and Student Outcomes

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Social/Emotional Learning Implementation and Student Outcomes - Colleen Weems, 2024

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This quantitative, nonexperimental study addressed the gap between research-established benefits and outcomes of social/emotional learning (SEL) implementation…

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FEELINGS LESSON  Counseling & Social Emotional Activities, Workbook & Comics

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Haley Gillett- Social Emotional Learning Game

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Haley Gillett- Social Emotional Learning Game

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The Making GOOD CHOICES Game!!! for Social and Emotional Learning Grades K-5

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Haley Gillett-Fostering Academic Development and Learning: Implications and Recommendations for Middle School Counselors

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Haley Gillett-Fostering Academic Development and Learning: Implications and Recommendations for Middle School Counselors

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Fostering Academic Development and Learning: Implications and Recommendations for Middle School Counselors - Christopher A. Sink, 2005

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Within the systemic framework of comprehensive school counseling programs, this article explores middle school counselors’ vital role in collaborating with othe…

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The Mindset of a Champion | Carson Byblow | TEDxYouth@AASSofia

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Empathy, Education, Inclusion: A Guide to Real Friendship | Emma Liu | TEDxYouth@GrandviewHeights

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Haley Gillett- Being Safe on the Internet

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Haley Gillett- Being Safe on the Internet

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How to be safe online, from a young person | Aurelia Torkington | TEDxYouth@Christchurch

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Essink-Brainstorming Worksheet for College Essay

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Essink-Brainstorming Worksheet for College Essay

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Brainstorming Worksheet for the College Essay.pdf

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2024-2025 Fafsa Step-By-Step Guide Webinar