https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7 A. Bertrand- School Counseling Techniques en-us 2020-04-14 19:12:36 UTC 2025-01-02 19:22:55 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4da.png amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508585194 The Executives are a small group of sixth grade students around eleven years of age. They are entering middle school for the first time and have been selected by teacher and counselor observation and previous STAAR test results as needing further development in their executive functioning skills to address academic and social weaknesses. Although the counselor is teaching executive functioning skills as whole group classroom guidance bi-weekly, these students could benefit from a small group setting for clarification and practice.]]> 2020-04-15 14:17:31 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508585194 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508601144 The following standards will be addressed during the six week small group sessions to ensure success of the group members and accountability of the counselor:
Category 1: Mindset Standards
M 1. Belief in development of whole self, including a healthy balance of mental, social/emotional and physical well-being
M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes
Category 2: Behavior Standards
Learning Strategies-
B-LS 3. Use time-management, organizational and study skills
B-LS 4. Apply self-motivation and self-direction to learning
B-LS 7. Identify long- and short-term academic, career, and social/emotional goals
Self-Management Skills-
B-SMS 2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control
B-SMS 5. Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals
B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning
Social Skills-
B-SS 2. Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
B-SS 3. Create relationships with adults that support success
B-SS 6. Use effective collaboration and cooperation skills]]> 2020-04-15 14:24:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508601144 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508653697 The Executives will be selected by teachers and counselors via data-mining of STAAR scores and classroom observation: therefore, will not be advertised to students. Instead, it will be advertised to faculty and administrators only. The primary sources of advertisement will be emails, announcements at staff meetings, word of mouth reminders, and a flyer in the staff workroom. Student will receive an informational handout during the first session. Parents will be informed through the updated Informed Consent Form including information concerning topics to be covered during The Executives' sessions.]]> 2020-04-15 14:44:51 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508653697 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508750623 Screening will be completed by the counselor with input from teachers. Step 1: The counselor will make a list of all sixth grade students not meeting standards in Reading or Math on STAAR, making those that were unsuccessful on both a priority.
Step 2:  The counselor will determine the students' homeroom teachers and have them complete the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015)  Assessment of Students' Perceived Needs (completing the return date, first/last name, and grade level for them). 
Step 3: The counselor will gather and analyze all Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015)  Assessment of Students' Perceived Needs from the teachers. These will be used to determine which students are most in need of small group intervention in the area of executive functioning skills as well as which students are most likely to grow and benefit from it. (These surveys will be kept for future small group needs outside of the area of executive functioning.)
Step 4: Using the final list of selected students, the counselor will again have the homeroom teacher complete a Needs Assessment Survey specifically focussing on rating the executive functioning skills of each selected student. The counselor will then create groups based on like needs (if there is a need for multiple groups). 

]]> 2020-04-15 15:22:16 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/508750623 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/509498382 While general consent is obtained at the beginning of the school year when parents sign for their receipt of the Brownwood ISD Student Handbook, it is ethical professional practice to gain informed consent when moving forward with individual or small group sessions. Informed consent will be obtained from parents by editing (with specific information about The Executives' group goals), printing, then sending home for signatures the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015) Informed Consent Forms (Sample 2 of 2). Consent/assent will also be obtained from each student with the Consent Contract developed by the counselor. Along with this, goals will also be set and scheduling of sessions will be completed during the initial session. ]]> 2020-04-15 21:59:54 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/509498382 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513676983 Ground rules will be established during the first session and will be reviewed in each consecutive session. Together the counselor and students will discuss each rule listed on the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (2015) Participant Guidelines/Ground Rules, determining what each rule "looks like" and "sounds like" and whether or not it becomes one of The Executives' rules or if it does not apply and should be deleted. However, the exceptions of non-negotiable rules as established by the counselor are:
1. All group members understand and respect confidentiality, and
5. All group members will treat each other with respect.
All other rules (2, 3, 4, 6. 7, 8, & 9) will be discussed and adopted by the group as they see fit. After 1-9 are discussed and decided upon, the counselor will then read:
10. Group members will have the opportunity to develop other guidelines.
This will open discussion of other rules that may or may not be added. Each suggestion will again be viewed from the perspective of "looks like" and "sounds like" and agreed upon by all members of The Executives before quickly reviewing all rules a second time.]]> 2020-04-17 20:26:07 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513676983 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513780277 The Executives are a structured, psycho-educational group that will consist of between 4-10 members per group as selected by teachers and counselors via data-mining of STAAR scores and classroom observations. Students will be screened and grouped based on similar needs as determined by needs assessment surveys; therefore, one could expect the group members to have some characteristics in common, making group dynamics complementary. 
Stage 1 will occur during the initial session to allow each individual to get to know the others. At this time, the counselor will model trust and respect for each individual as part fo the Ground Rules making process. The individuals will have an opportunity to express themselves in a safe environment and learn to trust themselves and others. Confidentiality will be reinforced throughout this session in order for mutual respect and trust to continue throughout the remaining sessions.
Stage 2 will occur throughout sessions two through five. During these sessions, The Executives will be required to perform specific tasks for mastering the executive functioning skills. They will accomplish both individual and group goals and will share in each others' successes and recommend ideas for growth when tasks are not accomplished successfully. They will learn to value each others' strengths while working on their own weaknesses. The counselor will assign tasks and evaluate the success of each task along the way, encouraging students to apply each of their new skills into their daily lives.
Stage 3 will occur during the final session. The students will reflect on their growth and goal achievement and celebrate each other's accomplishments. The Executives will discuss plans for continuing the use of the mastered skills and possibly adopt an accountability partner for the remainder of the school year. While they may grieve the ending of the group, they will celebrate the skills learned along the way. At this time, the counselor must remind the group members of the expectations of confidentiality as established and reviewed throughout the sessions. ]]> 2020-04-17 22:08:25 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513780277 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513824412 According to Verywellmind (2020), the leadership style I will use is the transformational leadership style. This will be used to motivate and inspire growth in each member. I will direct positive change with intelligence, energy, and passion. I will guide the group through each activity to ensure success of each member, encouraging them to apply their new skills to their daily lives in order to direct positive change for each group member. ]]> 2020-04-17 23:08:20 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513824412 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513846751 Many of Yalom's therapeutic factors will be included in the small group. 
1. Universality: Students will gain the knowledge that each of us has problems, and we are not alone in that regard.
2. Imparting of information: The counselor will give direct instruction of what each executive functioning skill is and offer solutions for overcoming them. 
3. Imitative behavior: The goal of the group will be to master each skill through understanding and  practice by imitating and implementing the desired behaviors creating new habits.
4. Direct Advice: The counselor and group members will share in each others' successes and offer guidance in overcoming their weaknesses through modeling and advisement.
5. Interpersonal learning: The goal of the group will be to learn new skills through modeling, practicing, and sharing their experiences.]]> 2020-04-17 23:45:10 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513846751 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513889094 The Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) published a document outlining the guiding principals of ethical and effective group work. While many of the standards are imperative in any given group setting, the focus here will be on standard A.7. Group and Member Preparation. It is essential for group members to be screened appropriately, informed consent to be attained from parents, consent/assent to be agreed to by group members, and confidentiality to be maintained throughout the sessions. This standard supports the best ethical practices of a school counselor and is supported by ACA Code of Ethics. ]]> 2020-04-18 01:14:25 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513889094 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513908478 The Texas Administrative Code describes the standards required by the state of Texas for the school counselor certificate. 
Standard I. Learner-Centered Knowledge states "the certified school counselor must know and understand:
(8) learners' developmental characteristics and needs and their relevance to educational and career choices" (Texas Administrative Code, 2017, p. 1).
The Executives: Small Group Action Plan will address these basic executive functioning needs of students to help them succeed in their educational and career choices. It is a requirement of the State Board for Educator Certification that the counselor address these needs to facilitate future, positive educational and career choices. ]]> 2020-04-18 02:00:43 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513908478 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513945136 Please click on the link below to view all references used in compiling the information included in The Executives: Small Group Action Plan (Executing Functioning Skills).]]> 2020-04-18 03:30:13 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513945136 amybertrand https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513946786 2020-04-18 03:33:38 UTC https://padlet.com/amybertrand/gglw598kdpvlb4s7/wish/513946786