A Good Start to the School Year
This year marks the third year of my school psychology training. (I am working toward my degree as an Educational Specialist at the University of Washington - Seattle.) A grueling first two years to be sure, but this year is going to be the best one yet. I know it. This is the chance for me to shine. To make my mark in the lives of the children and students I will be serving. I already love my students and I haven’t even started it yet. <3
Yesterday was the first day I walked into two of the schools I will be serving: Emerson Elementary (3-6), and Centennial Middle (7-8) in the town of Snohomish, WA. Walking into Emerson (3-6), I was confronted with a huge sign at the front of the school saying “I am the Best Student in the Universe”. What a powerful statement. It does not say that they can’t do it or that they don’t have the tools to be a student. It says that they are the BEST student.
After walking around Emerson (3-6), I drove over to Centennial (7-8) to look at my own OFFICE! I GET MY OWN OFFICE!!!!!!!! One of the more selfish reasons I got into school psychology is that I wanted my own office that I could decorate. So that is exactly what I am going to do. Already in my collection of goodies for the office are: a baby female betta fish named “Willow”, tons of necessities for the budding school psychologist, origami and Japanese snacks (duh, I’m Japanese), chocolate and tea, coloring pencils and books for counseling, a detailed appointment book, and my beautiful Microsoft Surface Pro laptop. Snohomish school county students, bring it on. I’m ready for anything.
After receiving what felt like my first warm welcome to Snohomish, I thought a lot about what I am going to do and the impact I will be having the lives of the students I serve: what I plan to do with my work, how I plan to make a difference in Snohomish, and what event I plan to help prevent. My next step is to understand the crisis prevention plans that the district has in place for its students. In this age of school shootings and suicidal ideation, this is a must. I have so many thoughts and feelings about this topic, having started my own stint as a crisis counselor for the National Crisis Textline and also having gone through my own personal crisis recently. I am going to channel all that energy and learning I’ve gained toward this end and make a difference in whatever way I can to prevent further deaths.
To this end, I will work hard to prevent future Jaylen Frybergs, Adam Lanzas, and Nikolas Cruzs. We’ve got this. We can do it. #NeverAgain
