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Monday Ideas for School Counselors

Weekly articles for school counselors with ideas on how to resolve typical school situations with students, teachers and parents using the solution focused approach.

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Take Note!

November 14, 20221 min read

Think back to the last time that someone important to you wrote you a note or sent you a text that made your day. More than the words could say, it sent a message that you were important to someone. You mattered. What difference did that make for you on that day?

This week, print off these note templates and take your pick from some notes that follow. Choose a student that seems disengaged, off track, unmotivated, not interested, in trouble a lot…you know who I am talking about. Think of it this way… the mere fact that the student made it to school means he/she needs something from someone. Watch for anything, absolutely anything, that the student does that tells you he/she is a human being with some potential. There’s always something if you will just watch! 

Then, write out a note… just a sentence or two will do, then fold it and drop it on the student’s desk. No need for conversation. I know you are busy. While the initial response of the student may not lead them to jump into their schoolwork, just wait. After another day, write another note. Watch and wait. 

You see, I know that you deserve to have a student who is interested in what you have to offer. 

Sometimes, we just need to let them know that they have something to offer, too.

It works.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A READY-TO-PRINT NOTE TEMPLATE

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Dr Linda Metcalf

Linda Metcalf is the best-selling author of Counseling Toward Solutions and 10 other books. Linda is a former middle school teacher, all-level certified school counselor, licensed professional counselor supervisor, and licensed marriage and family therapist in the State of Texas. She is a Professor at Texas Wesleyan University.

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