Using Technology in Documentation

Why didn't I do this BEFORE now!?!

I have seen so many GREAT ideas on Pinterest, especially in the area of School Counseling Programming. In an effort to become more organized, efficient, and data driven, I am entering into the use of Google Drive for all of my important documentation and information.  

 

I have been thinking of new and more efficient ways to document throughout my program. I followed lead of Emily Hansen at Hanselor the Counselor and her blog http://hanselorthecounselor.blogspot.com/2013/07/google-driveyes-please.html in creating my Google Forms.

 

I have created a Direct Counseling Services Form, Indirect Counseling Services Form, and Parent/Guardian Communication Log form on Google Drive; https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9D_2dTr0BicV1hua0FqN3J1Slk&usp=sharing. Google Drive will automatically keep a spreadsheet for all of my parent communications therefore eliminating the need for paper copies! I am also excited in the possibilities of documenting my use of time.

Of course there are always risks with using technology especially as a documentation tool. Considerations I need to be aware of; risks of electronic record keeping and confidentiality. I strongly encourage any professional school counselors considering the use of e-records to consult the 2014 American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, http://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf.
 

I am still thinking about other ways I can use Google Drive in my program and will post other ideas that I come up with...needs assessments for students, teachers, and other stakeholders?
 

Where is the School Counselor and How in the World do I Find Her???

Being a School Counselor can be rather busy to say the least. Everyday I travel between two buildings on the same campus and another school 18 miles away every other week (on very rare occasions I have meetings in a third building on our campus). Between three schools, over 400 students, and numerous school staff, and a dedicated office space in one building it can be difficult to find me!

I have found a very helpful tool to let students and school staff know where Mrs. Ziegelmann is. Posted on my door is the Where is Mrs. Ziegelmann sign. I adjust the arrow to accommodate my whereabouts. This communicates to others can see where I am if they need to find me AND the sign is a way to show that school counselors have a variety of places they go!

Making your own is very easy using Microsoft Word, a scissors, and a laminator, however I saw that Vanessa at http://savvyschoolcounselor.com/ 's was selling her version on Savvy School Counselor TPT Store and purchased one instead.

Another component to the Where is Mrs. Ziegelmann is the drop box outside my school counseling office in the middle school and outside of the elementary school office. This box serves a variety of purposes; option to report bullying anonymously, self-referrals, leaving messages. Not all students feel comfortable approaching teachers or leaving me a note with the school secretary. I am hopeful this will give students more opportunities to visit with me if they need or like.

School Counseling Program Components

My Plush Sidekicks!
The following are some of the ideas I use to stay organized and keep students engaged.

Macy & Marley

These two curious creatures are what brings me FAME among Kindergartners! Marley visits the K-2 Classrooms with me and sometimes brings his cousin Macy with. The puppets are wonderful tools for students to become familiar with who I am at the school. Mrs. Ziegelmann is a tough name for Kindergarteners at the beginning of the year, for some reason Marley is very easy for 5 and 6 years olds to remember!

These two of them have a variety of friendship and school-related problems the students help to solve. It never fails, at the beginning of the school year, Marley has forgotten almost everything the students helped teach him the previous year! Thankfully the 1st & 2nd graders are very willing to help reteach Marley.

These monkeys are also very useful for classroom management strategies. Marley is very shy and when a class gets too noisy Marley will hide in the bag I brought him to the class in. All it takes is for one student to point out (and they notice very quickly what these monkeys do) "Hey! Marley is gone!" and the students will redirect themselves and others to quiet down.