WEBVTT 1 00:00:12.810 --> 00:00:17.500 Yes the by hour. 2 00:00:35.190 --> 00:00:38.390 Hello my name is job or not I'm the superintendent of the North Reading Public 3 00:00:38.400 --> 00:00:42.680 Schools and I'd like to welcome you to this episode of Inside and R.P.S. 4 00:00:43.030 --> 00:00:47.650 My guest today is Mr Mike Rosa who is the coordinator of school counseling services 5 00:00:47.660 --> 00:00:51.330 for the North Reading Public Schools Mike Welcome thank you for having me it's 6 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:53.790 a pleasure So Mike I think you've had 7 00:00:53.800 --> 00:00:57.600 a long career in North writing and you've certainly done a nice job oath as 8 00:00:57.610 --> 00:01:00.640 a guidance counselor in and now a new role as 9 00:01:00.650 --> 00:01:04.140 a coordinator of school counseling services working across the district in 10 00:01:04.180 --> 00:01:08.630 elementary school middle school and high school. What I typically do with 11 00:01:08.640 --> 00:01:10.270 a guest of the show is I ask you to tell us 12 00:01:10.280 --> 00:01:14.910 a little bit about yourself or the community and also a little bit kind of 13 00:01:14.920 --> 00:01:18.000 a general overview of your work and then we'll get into some questions that we 14 00:01:18.010 --> 00:01:19.830 think might be helpful for the public to have 15 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:24.000 a better understanding of what you're doing for our students. Than the show you 16 00:01:24.010 --> 00:01:29.520 think you're all right well thank you very much so I'm in my 15th year at North 17 00:01:29.530 --> 00:01:33.990 Reading and it's been very rewarding I've really enjoyed my time like you mentioned 18 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:35.430 they started as 19 00:01:36.430 --> 00:01:43.420 a guidance counselor and have transitioned into this new role. I started 20 00:01:43.430 --> 00:01:49.610 my school counseling career about 3 years before I came to North reading I did some 21 00:01:49.650 --> 00:01:52.700 of my internship hours at Burlington high school and then worked for 22 00:01:52.710 --> 00:01:54.330 a few years at 23 00:01:54.880 --> 00:02:01.830 a Regional High School in Bolton so I've always really enjoyed the work and I 24 00:02:02.440 --> 00:02:08.220 definitely feel like I found the right sort of niche for me and in my career. It's 25 00:02:08.230 --> 00:02:12.370 been really interesting to see how sort of school counseling has evolved just in my 26 00:02:12.410 --> 00:02:19.320 time in the field certainly And you mentioned my my role evolved while I'm How's 27 00:02:19.330 --> 00:02:20.520 that the high school in 28 00:02:20.710 --> 00:02:24.050 a fair amount of my attention is there it's been really exciting over the last 29 00:02:24.060 --> 00:02:29.050 couple of years to go into the different elementary schools in the district and. 30 00:02:30.370 --> 00:02:34.860 You know middle school and see the different really neat things of the school 31 00:02:34.870 --> 00:02:41.170 council. Sure sure and you mentioned you've been here 15 years and I work in North 32 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:46.080 Redding 16 we started almost at the same time I remember hiring you at that time 33 00:02:46.090 --> 00:02:47.290 and you've spoken 34 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:52.440 a little bit about the evolution of the of the work and your in your role in that 35 00:02:52.450 --> 00:02:57.990 work and I think for the for the benefit of those watching I think it's interesting 36 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:03.350 to know that. Back in 2003 when I started as the principal the high school there 37 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:08.630 were 2 guidance counselor at our high school and there was. On full time school 38 00:03:08.640 --> 00:03:14.770 psychologists and that made up the staff of that department at that time. While 39 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:18.090 it's true that the population of the high school has grown quite 40 00:03:18.100 --> 00:03:23.700 a bit since that time. I'm guessing that at the time I think we were somewhere 41 00:03:23.710 --> 00:03:29.660 right around 600 students and we're now at about 745 at just our high school. But 42 00:03:29.670 --> 00:03:32.340 the department has grown and I think it's grown out of 43 00:03:32.350 --> 00:03:37.920 a need to talk about your work and seeing what's going on in other schools in our 44 00:03:37.930 --> 00:03:42.002 district but at the high school. Where we've grown to 45 00:03:42.012 --> 00:03:47.591 a department now for guidance counselors. A full time school psychologist and 2 46 00:03:47.601 --> 00:03:52.951 adjustment counselors right so we are she is me to school psychologist you want to 47 00:03:52.961 --> 00:03:54.741 just McAllister we've seen 48 00:03:55.211 --> 00:03:59.591 a need arise and I think in my opinion I'm going to ask you to talk 49 00:03:59.601 --> 00:04:06.331 a little bit more about it or. Not only have I seen issues arise in my career that 50 00:04:06.371 --> 00:04:10.921 needed needed more attention for students and families but I think also you've 51 00:04:10.931 --> 00:04:11.681 introduced 52 00:04:11.721 --> 00:04:18.571 a lot of new things that are very interesting than probably for example and I'm 53 00:04:18.581 --> 00:04:19.351 hoping you can talk 54 00:04:19.361 --> 00:04:23.151 a little bit more about what that is but but the needs were there I think for 55 00:04:23.161 --> 00:04:26.981 expanding programs and benefiting students in friendlies and I'd like you if you 56 00:04:26.991 --> 00:04:27.801 could just talk 57 00:04:27.811 --> 00:04:31.931 a little bit about maybe 2 or 3 things that you would consider to be kind of 58 00:04:31.941 --> 00:04:35.921 hallmarks of your work that that folks might be interested in hearing more about 59 00:04:35.961 --> 00:04:42.771 Sure absolutely I think. We've seen I think I guess I'll say 2 trends that jump 60 00:04:42.781 --> 00:04:47.411 out to me in particular when it comes to school counseling one is moving to 61 00:04:47.451 --> 00:04:49.381 a more what you might call 62 00:04:49.391 --> 00:04:55.251 a more developmental model which means you know not just being in your office 63 00:04:55.261 --> 00:04:58.341 waiting for when they don't need to have 64 00:04:58.351 --> 00:05:04.541 a steering lock down but to. Try and be in the classroom as much as possible that 65 00:05:04.551 --> 00:05:09.901 those of those services that take place in your office are really going to so you 66 00:05:09.911 --> 00:05:14.951 know one thing that we've done. During my time at the high school is to try and get 67 00:05:14.961 --> 00:05:17.361 into the classroom a little bit more and be 68 00:05:17.371 --> 00:05:20.881 a little bit more proactive So for example will do 69 00:05:21.311 --> 00:05:27.001 a series of seminars about here each year with the juniors and we talk about core 70 00:05:27.011 --> 00:05:32.301 selection but we also start talking about sort of post-secondary planning we do the 71 00:05:32.311 --> 00:05:35.941 same thing with seniors right at the beginning of the year and really for the most 72 00:05:35.951 --> 00:05:41.041 part talking about the college application process for them. We get in with 73 00:05:41.181 --> 00:05:48.021 freshmen within the 1st couple of months of school. To do an introduction. You know 74 00:05:48.311 --> 00:05:53.561 kind of just you know we used to succeed in high school type lesson and sophomores 75 00:05:53.571 --> 00:05:58.381 we try and do one based on sort of career plan get them start thinking they wanted 76 00:05:58.921 --> 00:06:03.911 after high school so we're we're doing more and more of that is as you know we we 77 00:06:03.921 --> 00:06:10.491 have a program we have a lot of programming too for parents we do 78 00:06:10.501 --> 00:06:15.961 a college fair each year and start about 3 or 4 years ago we started our common 79 00:06:15.971 --> 00:06:21.181 application camp in the summer so you know really trying to talk 80 00:06:21.191 --> 00:06:22.971 a little bit more about that exactly yeah that was 81 00:06:22.981 --> 00:06:28.721 a fantastic idea yeah you know it was something you had worked on previously to try 82 00:06:28.731 --> 00:06:33.391 to develop for its full implementation you said it's been 3 summers you know I 83 00:06:33.401 --> 00:06:35.221 think it's been 3 years could you talk 84 00:06:35.231 --> 00:06:40.321 a little bit about that absolutely and it really. Did start some I know some other 85 00:06:40.331 --> 00:06:45.991 schools were doing it in you know some kids that approached you kind of interested 86 00:06:46.001 --> 00:06:50.021 in something and it was really need to sort of sit with the kids and say What do 87 00:06:50.031 --> 00:06:52.781 you think would be helpful what you need and we did that in 88 00:06:52.821 --> 00:06:54.431 a sense and I think we've run 89 00:06:54.821 --> 00:07:00.341 a nice program so we do it over 2 days in August and we end by any what we call 90 00:07:00.351 --> 00:07:07.291 rising senior. To come that they would like and. They register and they come in 91 00:07:07.621 --> 00:07:12.151 the very 1st thing we do with them is we sit in our distance learning lab and we 92 00:07:12.161 --> 00:07:18.551 really go through from start to you know and common application with them and they 93 00:07:18.561 --> 00:07:23.161 leave there probably with it about 9095 percent done there's always 94 00:07:23.171 --> 00:07:28.111 a couple things you have to wait on what the Haitian calling agencies use for yeah 95 00:07:28.121 --> 00:07:32.561 because their applications vary Yeah yeah I believe they're up to over 700 colleges 96 00:07:32.571 --> 00:07:35.581 and universities something that another trend that has changed from 97 00:07:35.591 --> 00:07:41.431 a couple maybe 100 schools to over 700 at this point yeah so how many shoes do you 98 00:07:41.901 --> 00:07:47.081 guess yeah yeah we usually I would. We've had anywhere from about $60.00 to $100.00 99 00:07:47.091 --> 00:07:53.201 students depending on the year maybe 50 percent yeah I would say so. And it has to 100 00:07:53.211 --> 00:07:54.491 be run in August this is there's 101 00:07:54.501 --> 00:07:59.281 a reason why it has to run yeah August 1st is the day that an application becomes 102 00:07:59.291 --> 00:08:03.611 available so when typically that 2nd week of August we send out to the students 103 00:08:03.621 --> 00:08:07.801 some information they want to gather to be prepared and get as much of it done as 104 00:08:07.811 --> 00:08:13.831 they can once we've completed that we rotate the students through about half of the 105 00:08:13.841 --> 00:08:20.521 students will go and meet with our 2 of our English teachers in do an hour on the 106 00:08:20.531 --> 00:08:25.051 college essay you know brainstorm meeting getting the back process started which is 107 00:08:25.061 --> 00:08:27.571 really mean and we've had some teachers that 108 00:08:27.581 --> 00:08:32.321 a kid to them they've been van Tass like. The other students will rotate where we 109 00:08:32.381 --> 00:08:37.581 are through what we call mini seminars and for example last year we had 2 college 110 00:08:37.591 --> 00:08:41.151 reps one from Sarah Hughes one from zany and some to come in and talk about the 111 00:08:41.161 --> 00:08:45.501 admissions process from their perspective they might be other section of students 112 00:08:45.511 --> 00:08:50.461 might be with me I think you know one usually on. A stain organized during the 113 00:08:50.471 --> 00:08:55.181 college application process and we typically offer one unlike the college you give 114 00:08:55.191 --> 00:08:58.601 your so there's some different other sort of mini summer hours they rotate through 115 00:08:59.601 --> 00:09:01.651 on day 2 they come back in they spend 116 00:09:01.661 --> 00:09:08.541 a 2nd hour with in English teacher again talking about that essay some students who 117 00:09:08.551 --> 00:09:14.101 even started in between the 2 sessions of these consecutive Yeah we were typically 118 00:09:14.111 --> 00:09:16.951 actually other years we have we've even left 119 00:09:16.961 --> 00:09:21.351 a day in between but based on some feedback we've got we're going to go consecutive 120 00:09:21.361 --> 00:09:25.301 days this year I think students feel like they don't have to have that day but I 121 00:09:25.311 --> 00:09:27.701 mean. We are for 122 00:09:27.711 --> 00:09:30.981 a couple again they rotate through some different seminars we usually have they 123 00:09:30.991 --> 00:09:35.451 have one of the active that they pick that they can go to that we offer to so it's 124 00:09:35.461 --> 00:09:39.581 just been a really good day so it's about I would say they get about 125 00:09:39.591 --> 00:09:42.971 a total of somewhere about 6 126 00:09:42.981 --> 00:09:48.841 a little over 6 hours. Lot of what I call direct instruction in this case. The main 127 00:09:48.851 --> 00:09:52.901 thing in the when the kids brought it to us they really said we're looking to have 128 00:09:52.911 --> 00:09:56.561 it help relieve stress of the fall in the fall we get back to school our classes 129 00:09:56.571 --> 00:10:02.461 start again Scrabulous we get to that you know after Leg start that musical. So 130 00:10:02.761 --> 00:10:06.021 that's been our main intent we tell the small 3 Yeah there is 131 00:10:06.031 --> 00:10:11.991 a small really for it but I think that's kind of. Yeah I think 40 to 50 Yeah 132 00:10:12.031 --> 00:10:17.941 usually so we try and keep That is reasonable as possible yeah so it's been busy 133 00:10:18.221 --> 00:10:18.901 you know that's been 134 00:10:18.911 --> 00:10:23.761 a really exciting his great idea and I know it's been very successful and yes to 135 00:10:23.771 --> 00:10:27.751 hear that you know it's I can only imagine it's going to just continue Yeah yeah 136 00:10:27.761 --> 00:10:31.731 you know common applications use bright experience Yeah you know why wouldn't it 137 00:10:31.741 --> 00:10:35.941 when we were students but it's absolutely in one of the I think the other sort of 138 00:10:35.951 --> 00:10:37.051 cause for 139 00:10:37.061 --> 00:10:41.831 a program like that is that. You know the college one of the trends again another 140 00:10:41.841 --> 00:10:45.451 trend that we've seen is just the college application. This becomes so much earlier 141 00:10:45.591 --> 00:10:46.451 than that you say I mean it's 142 00:10:46.461 --> 00:10:51.341 a huge day when I 1st. Got into guidance I distinctly remember my 1st year having 2 143 00:10:51.351 --> 00:10:55.791 students submit applications by November 1st now we're probably well over 50 144 00:10:55.801 --> 00:11:00.141 percent of our class will submit an application but I want to know better 1st like 145 00:11:00.151 --> 00:11:05.631 sort of early action so with the whole process it shifted months if not more to be 146 00:11:05.641 --> 00:11:08.101 able to give a yes or maybe you have 147 00:11:08.111 --> 00:11:13.061 a more concrete number what do you think the average student submitting for 148 00:11:13.071 --> 00:11:14.111 applications it's 149 00:11:14.121 --> 00:11:18.951 a really good question another number that's gone up and in particular it seems to 150 00:11:18.961 --> 00:11:22.921 me that it has gone oh yeah From there you know where I sit now it's just kind of 151 00:11:23.031 --> 00:11:26.831 different than when I was principal sure it seems like it's it's more like when I 152 00:11:26.841 --> 00:11:31.021 talk to students out here where they're applying I think to myself something that's 153 00:11:31.031 --> 00:11:36.661 on let's just call it and it's no use cheap that now but I would say in part of it 154 00:11:36.671 --> 00:11:41.111 is the common application they made it easier for students to apply so wanting to 155 00:11:41.121 --> 00:11:45.411 get that mean part it's easy to submit it to several places of course again the 156 00:11:45.421 --> 00:11:52.141 cost can come into play at times but our students I want to say and I do have that 157 00:11:52.151 --> 00:11:55.891 i do we do figure the number each year it's somewhere between 6 in 158 00:11:55.901 --> 00:11:58.331 a college and on average and as you know average can be 159 00:11:58.341 --> 00:12:02.591 a funny number because we do have students that focus on one or 2 schools maybe 160 00:12:02.601 --> 00:12:06.401 they're being recruited as an athlete so they don't have as many but we certainly 161 00:12:06.411 --> 00:12:11.271 have seen it set up by the many more that they have to sell. By the yeah impressive 162 00:12:11.281 --> 00:12:15.431 list this year I mean we always are our students do well they do actually have help 163 00:12:15.441 --> 00:12:20.971 but again as I talk to you know you are other lives or the students themselves some 164 00:12:20.981 --> 00:12:26.421 of the schools that this year seem to be to be. You know not schools that we 165 00:12:26.431 --> 00:12:31.341 typically have had students even applied to along to Middlebury College Yeah yeah 166 00:12:31.591 --> 00:12:32.281 so that was 167 00:12:32.291 --> 00:12:36.901 a great school and yeah we've had some you know what I call somewhat unique 168 00:12:36.941 --> 00:12:41.391 acceptance is this year May 1st is right around the corner so we're really excited 169 00:12:41.401 --> 00:12:46.971 to see where that's the day since has. Some of their deposits by so I think we have 170 00:12:46.981 --> 00:12:51.401 some decisions coming down to the wire here but actually in about 2 weeks we're 171 00:12:51.411 --> 00:12:55.211 going to go in with this thing to survey to learn more about right where they are 172 00:12:55.521 --> 00:12:59.831 where they're going to go so see how everything shakes out in the end it's great to 173 00:12:59.841 --> 00:13:04.791 boot camp has been yeah it's been really exciting when you mention which is 174 00:13:04.801 --> 00:13:09.721 a program that you know I'm always excited and proud of something that I had 175 00:13:09.731 --> 00:13:14.521 actually used in my previous this trip and it was very new at the time and we 176 00:13:14.531 --> 00:13:19.911 brought it to North Reading with your support and that program is grown 177 00:13:19.921 --> 00:13:25.981 a ton but it's really you know maybe 73 actually believe it or not in the 178 00:13:26.621 --> 00:13:30.741 we we brought it in in 2005 so I think yeah and it was 179 00:13:30.751 --> 00:13:34.811 a very at that time one of the reasons I think you know it was a really 180 00:13:34.821 --> 00:13:38.921 a behind the scenes type program that counselors could use to look at innovations 181 00:13:38.931 --> 00:13:43.281 and we really were building it into that and then after that it there became what I 182 00:13:43.291 --> 00:13:49.921 call an outward looking. Module where students and parents can log in and look at 183 00:13:49.931 --> 00:13:54.721 admissions data. And that's just one thing that can really argue with that is 184 00:13:54.731 --> 00:14:01.641 a lot of career in college and academic planning tools and it then it really acts 185 00:14:01.651 --> 00:14:07.701 as you know it acts as the. Way that we as the guidance counselors and teachers can 186 00:14:07.711 --> 00:14:12.851 submit Doc documents electronically you know colleges so students are on it 187 00:14:12.861 --> 00:14:17.171 a lot in their senior year facilitate that process it's 188 00:14:17.181 --> 00:14:19.721 a robust program remembering that they were there was 189 00:14:19.731 --> 00:14:21.791 a series of years where you were rolling out 190 00:14:22.101 --> 00:14:27.311 a new feature each year yeah and then the minute then it started to morph down from 191 00:14:27.321 --> 00:14:30.621 Cedars only those 2 words or junior to soft more and there were things that 192 00:14:30.811 --> 00:14:35.701 students could be doing some parents I guess could be doing earlier yeah yeah we we 193 00:14:35.711 --> 00:14:39.481 encourage when we meet with the freshmen usually by December their freshman year we 194 00:14:39.491 --> 00:14:43.141 have one of those seminars I talked about they usually create their account right 195 00:14:43.151 --> 00:14:49.171 then and there. And then we use it for career planning with sophomores and again 196 00:14:49.181 --> 00:14:54.761 really get back into the college. Sections of it with with the juniors and seniors 197 00:14:54.771 --> 00:15:00.231 so it's you know about the seminars and I think just by by way of you know just to 198 00:15:00.381 --> 00:15:04.231 get to inform people I think it's interesting it would be interesting for people to 199 00:15:04.241 --> 00:15:08.791 know how you how you schedule those and where where and when you're doing them and 200 00:15:09.131 --> 00:15:12.341 I mean they're I think the smallness of them is yeah this has 201 00:15:12.351 --> 00:15:13.391 a benefit could you just talk 202 00:15:13.401 --> 00:15:17.211 a little bit about how sure how it is that you are able this for this for guidance 203 00:15:17.221 --> 00:15:19.791 cause and how you are able to do to meet with 204 00:15:19.831 --> 00:15:26.111 a class of students who say roughly 182200 right right now do you. Not 205 00:15:26.121 --> 00:15:29.081 a lot of moving parts of it but we have 206 00:15:29.091 --> 00:15:36.011 a good working relationship with the teachers in and to not take time away from you 207 00:15:36.021 --> 00:15:41.571 know only one subject area we usually work across different subjects so when we're 208 00:15:41.581 --> 00:15:44.791 meeting with freshmen we're usually doing that through their freshman seminar class 209 00:15:44.801 --> 00:15:48.731 which makes sense when you think you know it's part of that classes to convert your 210 00:15:48.741 --> 00:15:50.891 scheduling across that who are using what 211 00:15:50.901 --> 00:15:57.851 a great meeting with maybe 20 Yeah 24 students are going to typical class so you 212 00:15:57.861 --> 00:16:01.921 know we'll come in for the freshman want to all the guidance call 4 of us will come 213 00:16:01.931 --> 00:16:05.671 in and speak with the sewage because we really want them to see our faces or know 214 00:16:05.681 --> 00:16:12.441 who they are yeah you know sophomores we traditionally used. In health and again 215 00:16:12.591 --> 00:16:16.691 like you said schedule with each of the classes so maybe in that case we'll have 216 00:16:16.701 --> 00:16:23.361 a different 7 hours with 20 students already 5 runs. With students in 217 00:16:23.371 --> 00:16:27.121 June years we work with our world history 2 teachers because we know every junior 218 00:16:27.131 --> 00:16:31.831 has world to do so sometimes we have to look at those specially the upper grades 219 00:16:31.841 --> 00:16:32.621 make sure that it's 220 00:16:32.631 --> 00:16:38.351 a homogeneous group in yes as years or so and then the senior year we use our 221 00:16:38.361 --> 00:16:42.821 government classes because all of ours and every take some form of government so 222 00:16:42.831 --> 00:16:47.151 that works out. Really well and depending on the you know there may be 2 guidance 223 00:16:47.161 --> 00:16:52.141 counselors are like I said with the freshman we all 4 of us may be in there because 224 00:16:52.151 --> 00:16:57.041 we're really getting sure of them I want to say to the one of the other things I 225 00:16:57.171 --> 00:17:01.581 really enjoyed is getting with when I get to go to like the elementary schools 226 00:17:01.591 --> 00:17:05.841 a lot of times I've seen the school psychologist and each of our elementary schools 227 00:17:06.171 --> 00:17:10.181 carry out one of these sort of seminars or what we would call like 228 00:17:10.191 --> 00:17:15.351 a developmental lesson that's been really exciting for me because I hadn't been in 229 00:17:15.361 --> 00:17:20.201 that levels of school for a while and watching them you know. Teach 230 00:17:20.211 --> 00:17:23.201 a lesson on empathy where they get to know 231 00:17:23.351 --> 00:17:27.301 a book that's sort of grade level in her career to teach 232 00:17:27.311 --> 00:17:31.591 a lesson and just to see the museum has some of those students you know gamma rays 233 00:17:31.601 --> 00:17:35.491 in their hand and sometimes showed you know dancers but it's really neat to see 234 00:17:35.501 --> 00:17:41.211 that energy and and see watch them learning things that maybe we as adults take for 235 00:17:41.221 --> 00:17:45.811 granted like back and of emotions up when you really see it clicking with them so 236 00:17:45.871 --> 00:17:51.501 that's an excellent segue to your I want to go OK here you can WE do you know but 237 00:17:51.551 --> 00:17:55.301 but a lot of what we've been talking about up to this point has been about 238 00:17:55.381 --> 00:18:00.851 a college program in high school and it's true that. You know we're 239 00:18:00.861 --> 00:18:04.891 a school district where the vast majority of our students want to some sort of 240 00:18:04.901 --> 00:18:09.641 post-secondary education but that's that is not the case reference to the right nor 241 00:18:09.651 --> 00:18:13.161 is it the only thing that your you and your colleagues are doing in your department 242 00:18:13.171 --> 00:18:18.011 in the Guides office. A couple of years ago I think this is year 3 am I right that 243 00:18:18.021 --> 00:18:21.001 you're in your role as a coordinator Yes counseling services so that's 244 00:18:21.011 --> 00:18:26.351 a key for the community it's the coordinator school counseling services that might 245 00:18:26.361 --> 00:18:31.501 now holds. As it is as his position. Is 246 00:18:31.511 --> 00:18:36.641 a district wide position it's an administrative level position that brings with it 247 00:18:36.811 --> 00:18:37.081 you know 248 00:18:37.121 --> 00:18:44.161 a longer work you know they but also an ability ready to to to support 249 00:18:44.471 --> 00:18:48.001 people at those at the 5 schools in 250 00:18:48.131 --> 00:18:52.051 a variety of areas and one of which I think that I'd like to get into 251 00:18:52.061 --> 00:18:58.801 a little bit with you now is the counseling role and I know many times over our 252 00:18:58.811 --> 00:19:02.131 years working together you have said to me about that stature 253 00:19:02.141 --> 00:19:05.451 a passion Yeah the counseling you know the career playing the college career Plenty 254 00:19:05.461 --> 00:19:11.191 of course but. Often the counseling goes hand in hand with that absolutely and it's 255 00:19:11.201 --> 00:19:14.071 a I think I would get I would suggest it's a it's 256 00:19:14.081 --> 00:19:17.581 a variety of forms of counseling to test it's counseling in that your you may be 257 00:19:17.591 --> 00:19:20.611 guiding students on choices but at the same time you could be 258 00:19:20.621 --> 00:19:24.711 a stressful time children of all ages elementary middle and high school experience 259 00:19:24.721 --> 00:19:30.531 stress or other or other areas where they might they might need the support of 260 00:19:30.541 --> 00:19:35.681 a counselor is there ready is there something in particular you might want to talk 261 00:19:35.691 --> 00:19:41.351 about in both that that kind of crosses your new role but also you know probably 262 00:19:41.361 --> 00:19:46.091 it's probably been expanded with really just with all that new to you Can you talk 263 00:19:46.101 --> 00:19:51.051 a little bit about that what types of counseling services and such an infusion or 264 00:19:51.061 --> 00:19:54.981 working with students in probably their families to yeah it's on occasions you know 265 00:19:54.991 --> 00:20:00.891 absolutely and you know even in our district as you mentioned you know how the 266 00:20:00.901 --> 00:20:06.721 staffing has as grown in the area of counseling I think we've seen the shift from 267 00:20:07.631 --> 00:20:12.851 you know guidance counselors who service students in terms of doing you know 268 00:20:12.861 --> 00:20:18.651 academic good byes into secondary clean but also sort of what I'll call social 269 00:20:18.661 --> 00:20:24.801 emotional type of counseling and you know as as we all the hope of there's just 270 00:20:25.301 --> 00:20:29.331 never been years for that I think partly because we as 271 00:20:29.341 --> 00:20:35.581 a society are just much better at recognizing issues and you know trying to help 272 00:20:35.591 --> 00:20:42.591 students with them. So you know I think in maybe we were sort 273 00:20:42.601 --> 00:20:47.041 of a mirror of this is that you know we expanded our staff because we have seen 274 00:20:47.331 --> 00:20:50.881 a little bit of like I don't want to call it specialization but let's maybe that's 275 00:20:50.891 --> 00:20:55.531 the right word in terms of like you know that is conscious can do our that anymore 276 00:20:55.531 --> 00:21:00.411 . I'll buy them to you know they we still do do all of that but we can't you know 277 00:21:00.491 --> 00:21:05.871 Service all of the students all of the time type of thing so. You know school We've 278 00:21:05.881 --> 00:21:09.571 had school psychologists in the. District and certainly at our elementary school in 279 00:21:09.581 --> 00:21:14.221 our little school. You know they've always done sort of an you know really 280 00:21:14.231 --> 00:21:20.001 excellent job but they have different parts of their responsibilities to. Focus on 281 00:21:20.011 --> 00:21:23.221 so. You know we've we added 282 00:21:23.231 --> 00:21:27.001 a school adjustment counselors say about 5 years ago which is definitely 283 00:21:27.011 --> 00:21:33.671 a role in schools that I've seen expand over my time is if you asked me my 1st 284 00:21:33.681 --> 00:21:34.321 couple years what 285 00:21:34.331 --> 00:21:38.901 a school just me guys that I met one day you know I've heard that but now we've 286 00:21:38.911 --> 00:21:45.051 seen schools adding their image and their busy ability is to really focus on that 287 00:21:45.061 --> 00:21:50.471 social motional component for the most part so you know we were pulled away for 288 00:21:50.481 --> 00:21:54.211 post-secondary planning academic advisor will still help with social motion but we 289 00:21:54.221 --> 00:21:58.521 have people that you know can really focus on that for for students who need that 290 00:21:58.531 --> 00:22:04.121 assistance in our school psychologist while they have they evaluate students in 291 00:22:04.161 --> 00:22:04.441 that's 292 00:22:04.451 --> 00:22:10.441 a big part of their job they're really well trained especially now that there's you 293 00:22:10.451 --> 00:22:15.071 know increased focus on working one on one with students or in small groups on 294 00:22:15.211 --> 00:22:21.011 social motion issues so I will always look at it as that sort of our 1st you know 295 00:22:21.251 --> 00:22:27.751 if they if the students you know can't they're having some sort of. Social or 296 00:22:27.761 --> 00:22:32.041 emotional issue it's awful hard for them to focus on their learning and so we've 297 00:22:32.051 --> 00:22:36.041 always got to you know try to work with them on that so they're getting the most 298 00:22:36.051 --> 00:22:42.071 out of their IT SURE. Have you what has has anything in your new role. 299 00:22:43.521 --> 00:22:46.351 Surprised you I know you were mostly 300 00:22:46.361 --> 00:22:50.261 a high school person yeah career. I think ready in 301 00:22:50.411 --> 00:22:55.661 a not necessarily surprised but like I mentioned it's just been really fun to go 302 00:22:55.701 --> 00:23:02.211 into this at the lower level in see how dedicated passionate are constantly are at 303 00:23:02.221 --> 00:23:04.611 that level and they are they're juggling 304 00:23:04.621 --> 00:23:10.841 a lot of balls but they are. You know I like I said I've gone to see them go into 305 00:23:10.851 --> 00:23:13.471 the class or do lessons on 306 00:23:13.481 --> 00:23:19.761 a wide variety of topics and. The really creative stuff too like I said using 307 00:23:20.731 --> 00:23:26.201 books the teacher some lessons using videos and it's just been really sort of you 308 00:23:26.211 --> 00:23:28.901 know I see that and I guess a you know 309 00:23:28.911 --> 00:23:34.701 a surprise is just how like enthusiastic receptive the students are to it I wasn't 310 00:23:34.711 --> 00:23:38.451 sure what the young kids reaction but they're they seem to be really enthusiastic 311 00:23:38.461 --> 00:23:42.281 and when they get it you just see them sort of the other dollars that didn't exist 312 00:23:42.291 --> 00:23:45.231 so yeah it's funny that that would be 313 00:23:45.531 --> 00:23:49.971 a couple of years ago I think or maybe it was even Law School. In one of my 314 00:23:49.981 --> 00:23:55.641 newsletters my cover letter to which. I acknowledge that one of the things that I 315 00:23:55.651 --> 00:24:00.221 had been. Most pleased about it my role as a superintendent prior to being 316 00:24:00.231 --> 00:24:04.411 a superintendent my whole career in the high school was getting into the lower 317 00:24:04.761 --> 00:24:09.041 grade schools middle school but particularly in the elementary school that was just 318 00:24:09.051 --> 00:24:09.271 never 319 00:24:09.281 --> 00:24:14.471 a part of my work you know you sort of you do you do You saw the transitions from 320 00:24:14.481 --> 00:24:15.911 middle to high school when I was 321 00:24:15.921 --> 00:24:19.311 a teacher I taught mostly 9th grade at the high school level so you I had some 322 00:24:19.321 --> 00:24:22.451 exposure there but the elementary school was really something very different for me 323 00:24:22.751 --> 00:24:28.751 and I have to say really I would agree with you it's like the energy excitement the 324 00:24:28.761 --> 00:24:34.951 enthusiasm and just the the nature of students being spongers and just you just 325 00:24:34.961 --> 00:24:38.391 want to take it all in and they want to suck everything up you're telling them and 326 00:24:38.401 --> 00:24:41.771 you can't feed them enough it's really you know there is there is something special 327 00:24:41.781 --> 00:24:46.341 about the people doing the work there too you know it's. Really they're setting 328 00:24:46.351 --> 00:24:46.891 those kids on 329 00:24:46.901 --> 00:24:50.831 a course or you know really the rest of their life but I don't know your school 330 00:24:50.841 --> 00:24:54.871 life I often tease them and say you can you get them ready for raw even though they 331 00:24:54.881 --> 00:24:58.451 might be inspired but it's true even though it might be 10 years already there goes 332 00:24:58.461 --> 00:24:58.751 the doing 333 00:24:58.761 --> 00:25:03.541 a good job it will make our judgments when they get there it's good to hear as as I 334 00:25:03.551 --> 00:25:05.571 have a daughter in elementary school 335 00:25:05.581 --> 00:25:09.441 a son middle school you know it's fun. Because I'll often share with them when I go 336 00:25:09.451 --> 00:25:12.591 home what experience I had if I was at 337 00:25:12.711 --> 00:25:16.361 a middle school thing that day or something and sometimes they're doing some very 338 00:25:16.371 --> 00:25:19.561 similar to what I see and it's just by the way I do and I do you know what we're 339 00:25:20.331 --> 00:25:25.021 you know a little bit there. So there I asked you 340 00:25:25.031 --> 00:25:29.051 a little bit about something I may have surprise you and I'm going to ask you. To 341 00:25:29.061 --> 00:25:32.251 think about if you did you have 342 00:25:32.261 --> 00:25:35.841 a lot going on for nothing and I'm not going to hold you to anything but I'm going 343 00:25:35.851 --> 00:25:39.771 to I'm just going to ask you is there something out there like what's next for 344 00:25:40.661 --> 00:25:44.401 school counseling services in my district if you had a yeah you know kind of 345 00:25:44.411 --> 00:25:46.051 a blank check and 346 00:25:46.061 --> 00:25:51.891 a. Magic wand what is there something we really like that of course the new issue 347 00:25:51.901 --> 00:25:58.341 really would love to see happen yeah I think it would be. You know 348 00:25:59.021 --> 00:26:05.001 general expansion of what we're able to offer students and like I said I mean I 349 00:26:05.011 --> 00:26:07.041 like to do you know 350 00:26:07.051 --> 00:26:11.741 a little bit of everything so in some ways it's you know guidance can be the 351 00:26:11.751 --> 00:26:14.421 perfect job because one minute I may be helping 352 00:26:14.431 --> 00:26:19.841 a student with college applications and the next minute I may be. You know with 353 00:26:19.851 --> 00:26:26.131 a student that was upset 1st and some reason but I think just in able to expand. 354 00:26:27.181 --> 00:26:31.111 The services we're able to offer sort of in every year and they are going to make 355 00:26:31.121 --> 00:26:37.691 the post-secondary planning career planning and the sort of social emotional 356 00:26:37.701 --> 00:26:44.531 areas so I would you know love to be able to see our staff and so whether it's 357 00:26:44.621 --> 00:26:49.741 our guidance counselors our school psychologist our. School adjustment Council 358 00:26:49.751 --> 00:26:56.721 continue to be able to get into classrooms. And or work with small groups in what I 359 00:26:56.731 --> 00:27:03.681 call what prevented every developmental type programs. In really just 360 00:27:03.691 --> 00:27:10.421 be able to you know keep expanding that students you know feel good in terms of 361 00:27:11.111 --> 00:27:16.051 you know the social motional parts of their lives so that they feel like they're 362 00:27:16.131 --> 00:27:21.691 their peers if they're you know choices to go off to college I was always I always 363 00:27:21.701 --> 00:27:26.681 say I'd love to do more and more with career. Things to help the students assess 364 00:27:26.691 --> 00:27:30.531 you know their their strengths of their skills and be able to decide on what they 365 00:27:30.541 --> 00:27:36.281 want to do before they leave so some sort of an assessment identifies for them your 366 00:27:36.291 --> 00:27:37.261 use of strength where 367 00:27:37.271 --> 00:27:43.691 a particular might be good so for them to pursue Yeah several I was and we are we 368 00:27:43.701 --> 00:27:47.401 do try and get in with the sophomores and have them do one but I would love to 369 00:27:47.411 --> 00:27:52.661 continue to do that here so. I just think you know I always tell the students but 370 00:27:52.671 --> 00:27:55.591 when you're between the ages of 14 and 18 you don't necessarily need to know what 371 00:27:55.601 --> 00:27:59.441 you want to do for the rest of your life but let's think about it and yes let's 372 00:27:59.481 --> 00:28:04.881 let's research some different opportunities because ultimately. You know I think 373 00:28:04.891 --> 00:28:06.361 sometimes it's I always say on 374 00:28:06.371 --> 00:28:10.001 a Tuesday night in February sophomore year when you have to do your geometry 375 00:28:10.541 --> 00:28:12.721 sometimes you know you do you know it's 376 00:28:12.731 --> 00:28:16.431 a little hard to do but it's that you know why am I doing this endeavor to 377 00:28:16.441 --> 00:28:22.681 continually connect that you know the future or. What are you most proud of your 378 00:28:22.691 --> 00:28:29.343 work Geez. I'm just I'm very proud of 379 00:28:29.943 --> 00:28:36.343 the you know what we've been able to sort of put together in you know what we're 380 00:28:36.353 --> 00:28:40.890 able to offer students. But I don't know if this is 381 00:28:40.900 --> 00:28:45.660 a related but I'm thinking about what like what gets me going to you know the 382 00:28:45.670 --> 00:28:49.820 upping go to work every day and it is it is honestly it's those interactions with 383 00:28:49.830 --> 00:28:55.790 kids and being able to creatively poor with with the students and you know there's 384 00:28:55.800 --> 00:28:59.990 kind of no better moment you know having the student be really appreciative of 385 00:29:00.000 --> 00:29:04.170 something you were able to kind of help them with you know to figure out or it's 386 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:10.880 just the real you. Know and I don't know how many students when they have graduated 387 00:29:10.890 --> 00:29:16.110 and gone on and come back and either visit you somehow to sort of you get those 388 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:22.030 things or those are special. You need it some days. You know the work isn't always 389 00:29:22.040 --> 00:29:27.900 easy yeah into to get that into realize that maybe whether even if it's something 390 00:29:27.910 --> 00:29:31.850 time you've been able to help in some way is just in some areas sometimes you don't 391 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:36.740 even realize that what you did the impact that absolutely yeah I've been sort of 392 00:29:36.750 --> 00:29:38.840 right sometimes some of the if you have 393 00:29:39.430 --> 00:29:43.590 a great you know that's the bell part I said to people Mike and I'm going to say to 394 00:29:43.600 --> 00:29:46.650 you now. You know I've worked in education 395 00:29:46.660 --> 00:29:49.530 a long time you're one of the most talented people I've ever worked with thank you 396 00:29:49.540 --> 00:29:55.150 I usually have the gift you do you think now consider abilities have have. 397 00:29:56.640 --> 00:30:01.610 Transcended elementary school and our middle school in North Reading I think 398 00:30:01.620 --> 00:30:05.460 something that I'm particularly proud of because you do you truly do have the gift 399 00:30:05.470 --> 00:30:09.990 of an educator and I think your talents will will will be felt for 400 00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:13.110 a long time and worth reading and that's that's something you should be very proud 401 00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:14.610 of and I'm very proud that means 402 00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:18.280 a lot to me I appreciate and I'll thank you and I appreciate you taking time out of 403 00:30:18.290 --> 00:30:22.610 your day today to to be on the show and I'm hoping that what you share with the 404 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:24.180 community I have no doubt has has given 405 00:30:24.190 --> 00:30:27.150 a little bit more insight into the work that you're doing with your colleagues to 406 00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:32.000 to really support our students and to help them be the best people they can to 407 00:30:32.010 --> 00:30:36.730 realize their dreams and you really do do that when it's exciting and so good for 408 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:39.730 you and thank you valley you all for watching. You know.