I was excited when the bulletin boards I'd ordered finally arrived and were mounted to the walls. I think it makes a huge difference in the windowless, florescent-lit space! This afternoon, I spent some time putting up butcher paper and borders, but I have yet to decide what exactly will go onto the boards! The purple board has a border with the continents (middle row of the last photo below) and the grey board has the multi-colored dots. I would like to post some of the postcards I have collected from around the world on the purple board, and I am considering a character traits theme for the dots board. Stay tuned for the final results!

UPDATE: September 18, 2014
Here is the most recent update to my office, which we will call the "after" photos (despite the fact that I probably won't be done with this office until, oh, mid-May…). First you can see the entrance to my office, with a welcome sign (but, alas, still no "where is Ms. G?" sign yet). Inside, you can see the front half of the room with table, chairs, and shelves for art supplies and games (and there is a small area with bean bags for a calming down space). In the other half, I have my desk area with reference books and curriculum hidden away. There is a small couch that is hidden from the door, making it a great spot for students, teachers, or parents to come in for a private chat. There is also more storage hidden away, for sensory materials as well as the odds and ends that all counselors need for the many roles we play.

For the new bulletin boards, I decided on themes of global citizenship and growth mindset. The purple board boasts some of the postcards from the many years I have been collecting postcards from everyone else's exotic adventures (and now- finally- I can buy some to represent my own travels!!!). It's already generated a lot of conversation with my well- traveled students and families!

For the growth mindset board, I used different colored circles to display fixed versus growth mindset examples. I hope to have students try their hand at creating some of their own examples during guidance lessons. Check out the original board at this blog.

Since then, I have added lamps to lessen the harsh nature of the fluorescent lights, and will one day add that locate-the-counselor sign. In the meantime, I am feeling more at home in my office. I was truly pleased to hear a student tell me the other day that he thought my office was comfortable and a good place to hang out in… worth all the effort, for sure!

I'm at a new school this year, and it also happens to be overseas. Being an international school counselor is a new and exciting role for me, combining many years of a myriad different experiences into one fantastic job! I haven't had a way to transfer photos from my iPad mini, so photos of the gorgeous campus will have to wait (or you can see videos on the school's website)! I did, however, manage to get a few shots of my office using PhotoBooth. The app took mirror images of the room, so it will be disconcerting to anyone who has seen the actual space! Anyway, I am thrilled to have another spacious office that will allows me to fulfill many of the hats I am asked to wear.

The room is a long rectangle, with the door at one end. There are no windows- for privacy, I assume- but the previous counselor had the foresight to paint the walls a soft yellow. I am thrilled with the two couches and the shelves filled with excellent reference books, curriculum, art supplies, and games. Since these photos were taken, a third grade teacher risked life and limb (okay really, she just scratched her foot) to help me rearrange the furniture in order to develop specific spaces for small groups, staff meetings, parent and individual conferences, admin duties, lesson planning, and calm down spots (for both students and staff? ;-). This wonderfully skilled educator also taught me how to request items like an end table and bulletin boards. I made a huge "WELCOME" sign for my door, and will need to make a new "Where is Ms G?" sign using my new color schemes. Next up, a trip to several stores to comparison shop. I want items like a colorful rug, a few floor lamps (to offset the fluorescent-ness), a few possibly-fake plants ...and a couple pillows for the couch would be fun! I also need to organize all the games, toys, books, and other supplies for practical use. Really, though, my office may have to wait for more pressing events… such as students arriving in a couple days! I will post photos of the "after" results soon.

As I shared in my last post, we offered eleven small groups with five different topics for students in grades 3-5 this fall. It required a great deal of organization to keep everything running smoothly! Luckily, I had many school counseling blogs to use as reference for efficient methods and systems. Below are a few tools and systems that were implemented.

The check in scale (modeled after that of Tabitha's at Scrapbook of a School Counselor) proved to be extremely popular with group members! The scale is a simple piece of laminated cardboard with the numbers one through five, and is attached to the edge of a large whiteboard. Every week, I wrote two emotions/ states that could be considered along a range (satisfied/longing, extroverted/introverted, shy/outgoing, etc). Every group member had a clothespin with their name, and clipped their pin to the number that best suited their feelings at that moment. Each member then had the opportunity to share about their choice or pass. At the end of our groups, students reported this was one of their favorite parts of the group experience.

For my own organization, I have a groups binder with tabs that contain the list of group members by topic, permission form letters, lesson plans, and notes from each group. Each curriculum also has its own binder filled with clear plastic sleeves. As we completed projects, I placed extra worksheets and samples of group members' work to show in future groups. When I find ideas for supplemental projects or worksheets, I place these in the back of the binder as well.

After quite a bit of rearranging and redoing, I am feeling quite satisfied with my office! Of course, there are more little things to add and tweak. But I am certain that the room is ready to accommodate students' needs. I also wanted it to reflect my personal mantra for the year, "Choose Joy!" It's important to me that the space is not only functional but inspirational, hopeful, joyful… especially as we approach the rainy season in Oregon!

My desk area incorporates the "BE" bulletin board that I'm finding all over the school counseling blog world (whomever came up with the original idea is a GENIUS! I believe it was Susan with Entirely Elementary blog). I acquired an ancient bookshelf that may need to be returned to its owner (thus, I can't paint it…yet!); it holds all of my reference books and binders, several "in progress" work trays, and some personal touches from home. Sitting to the left of my desk under a pretty plastic plant, I flipped an old box with removable watercolor trays on its side. It now holds my five organizational binders (individual, group. classroom, events, SWIS). Once I have my schedule confirmed, I will post a laminated weekly calendar (so I can write and erase with dry erase) next to the black poster on the wall.

By the windows, I have fantastic double sided bookshelves that split the room into two distinct sections. On the right, I have created a play space. I placed the old school wooden dollhouse on a well-loved, paint-covered IKEA coffee table that I inherited from neighbors with kids. We covered the table in green butcher paper and drew little toys and flowers! I threw down the nature themed IKEA rug I mentioned in a previous post, and created a bulletin board featuring cute animals frolicking on green with white polka dotted mountains and silver star stickers on a navy blue sky. All of my stuffed animals, puppets, play stations (cooking, travel, dress up, etc) and games are in the colorful green and blue baskets or stacked on the bookshelves (out of sight of the photo). I am hoping this area is inviting to students.

The section with the teal adirondack chairs is for students needing a quiet space. I brought these from home after my co-workers convinced me that a couch is not as hygienic! I added a rag rug and an old crocheted blanket which incorporate the color scheme. There is a little shelf with wicker baskets to hold sensory items such as squishy balls and tangles. To the right, out of the picture frame, is a bookshelf full of counseling books for students and a small CD/ radio. The calm down bulletin board is a modified version from a previous blog post; this time I added fun blue circles in different sizes.

Last week, my mentoring Little Sister visited my office to help me organize. She did a ton of work helping me rearrange furniture, setting up a treasure box (for a lesson), and consulting with me about color and decor decisions. Her biggest contribution, though, was the maze idea! I told her I needed a bulletin board that showed parents and staff the counseling services available, but was also appealing to students. She suggested a maze where students could take different paths based on what services they chose (and also suggested that one be blocked for making bad choices!). I still need to write in the services on the pathways and add a few stick figures on the left, but I love how the board turned out! Thanks, Little Sis!

Not pictured is the round table and wooden chairs (perfect for groups), an old dining room table and filing cabinet that will serve as a makeshift desk for my interns, and a corner of the room that is rather empty. I have a Nerf basketball hoop and velcro dart set which require some movement, but I am open to other ideas, as well! 

I don't know if you feel the same way, but just getting the room set up makes me feel more prepared for the year. I love that the overall effect is bright and inviting, too. I look forward to seeing the joyful expressions on students' faces when they discover the new and improved counseling office!

This year, I am staying in the same classroom that I had my first year... but I decided to change things up! I wanted to maximize the space. My desk has been moved close to the door in order to be more welcoming and accessible to visitors. I also wanted to create a space for play and individual counseling, as well as a quiet space, which seemed better suited for the ample sunlight near the windows. I'm also adding an area to do lesson planning (Last year, I taught 24 classroom and 8 group lessons weekly!), complete with a table, art supplies, and a collection of counseling themed books. Finally, there will be plenty of space for groups with a round table, chairs, art supplies, and a white board. I plan to bring a few furniture pieces from home, and I purchased a new rug from Ikea (see below)! When it is all said and done, I will post the "after" photos!