This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Rewards and Challenges
If I were to put on the shoes of a guidance counselor and walk a mile in them I would most likely feel the most rewarded by seeing a student make their graduation walk. Knowing I had a hand in the development and direction of this young adult at a level not many others did would be extremely gratifying. If the student overcame extra challenges then the enjoyment would likely be multiplied. As for the challenges I would see with those same “guidance counselor” shoes on I feel pretty strongly that containing my emotions would be my greatest struggle. I know kids today encounter many trials and tests as they navigate their high school years. I experienced many of those myself. However, there are also many challenges existing for students today that I never had to deal with and can’t really imagine trying to. Bearing witness to all of these challenges in a student’s life and keeping my emotions contained would be very trying. I would imagine many counselors feel similarly.
Terry.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Seeing the students take that much anticipated walk across the stage would be most pleasing. As a teacher, I understand the pains we take with students trying to get them to excel in our class (for some students it is a challenge just to get them interested enough to pass!) I can't imagine being the school counselor who is faced with the challenge of getting 400-600 students to have the ability to walk across that stage and into a new phase of their life. I also agree with your greatest challenge. I am a very strong minded individual with a value system that most students have not had the home life that supports my values. Keeping my emotions and opinions in tact when dealing with such students would be a huge feat. I have to bear in mind that today's students live in an entirely different value system than the one I grew up in. If, as a counselor, I could instill hard work and reaping what you sow in addition to their high school education, I would say that equates GREAT success.
Terry,
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you about the graduation walk. in my three years of teaching, last years graduation was the most fulfilling because I felt like I had the most impact of that group of students. Although I didn't have the title of a counselor, I helped students along the way in terms of trying to get their lives together to prepare themselves for graduation and college. I know that counselors deal with more of the nuts and bolts of a student's direction to achieve walking across the stage to get their diploma, I know that they feel a scene of validation as well as fulfillment. In addition to teachers, I know that counselors have that feeling of accomplishment and joy just as much as teachers do when they see their hard work pay off.