Working with staff & students: a guide for College Advisors Carolyn Hoy Warwick School District Gifted Support

Curriculum vitae BS in Ed Communications Indiana University of PA M Ed in Gifted Education, Millersville University Adjunct professor, Gifted Education, Millersville High school teacher since 1978 Taught English at rural high school Taught SAT preparation (reading/writing) since ‘91 Worked with ESL (English as a Second Language) students Worked with identified gifted since 1999 Supervised Service Learning Program since 2002

Agenda Working with school professionals Guidance counselors, teachers, others Resources for more assistance Working with students College essay writing resources Writing letters of recommendation Resources for you and students

Part I: Working with school professionals

How popular culture portrays guidance counselors... Part I: Working with school professionals

A typical guidance counselor?

The reality Too many students for work load Social-emotional counseling College advice/career guidance Letters of recommendation PSSA, SAT, PSAT, other standardized tests Score reporting/data analysis on testing Multi-tasking, impromptu work Lack of respect from faculty

Teachers are targets PA Department of Ed budget cuts have left many school districts in a bind Programs are mandated and no longer funded State law does not allow tax increases Budgets are ridiculously tight Teachers will be doing more for less

To work effectively with school professionals... Do your homework! Respect the professionals’ experience, age, talents Defer to the proper channels before making decisions Be honest, always

To work effectively with school professionals... Do not fall into the trap of gossip! Try to avoid negative staff members The secretary and custodial staff can be your best friends Accept constructive criticism Find ways to de-stress

To work effectively with school professionals... Come up with solutions to problems and present them as possibilities Your knowledge of technology may be more advanced; tread lightly Use assertive, as opposed to aggressive or passive aggressive, techniques

Aggressive vs. Assertive Assertiveness: helps you to communicate, clearly and with confidence, your feelings, needs, wants and thoughts, in addition to acknowledging the needs of others. Ability to state your opinions without feeling self- conscious; express your emotions openly. Make clear to others how you wish to proceed in all aspects of your life. Shows you value others, respecting their right to an opinion as well Earthcommunications.com

Advice from the pros

Part II: Working with Students

What are today’s high school students really like?

The contradiction of the teenager Love danger, adventure Need to be independent High energy Want to be pampered, protected Withdraw and seek privacy Demand privileges Avoid responsibilities Aware of social problems and welfare of others Long periods of idleness Feelings easily hurt by friends

In working with students... Understanding today’s teen Over stressed and over scheduled Hyper-sexualized Technologically connected Friends are the new family More dedicated and harder working

In working with students... Avoid stereotyping from clothing, music Treat each as an individual Respect their choices Issues of confidentiality Listen to them, reflect back to them

In working with students... “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Remember it’s not about you Dealing with student personality conflicts: rise above it

It might be something like this....

The College Application

Help with college essays Common Application questions Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence. A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. Topic of your choice. musi

Help with college essays Do’s and don’ts for essay writing Step One: brainstorming Step TwoStep Two: selecting the topic Step ThreeStep Three: writing the essay Suggestion: have a seminar for students and use the Essay Edge curriculum to assist in writing essaysEssay Edge curriculum

Let’s look at student essays Chris (wikispace Essay 1) Ashlee (wikispace Essay 2)

Writing Letters of Recommendation Know your client! (letter of rec form) Use impeccable grammar/mechanics Be honest Highlight a student’s positives Explain any red flags on a transcript EXERCISE: profile of students, let’s write a letter

Use the wikispace!