California School Counselor - Summer 2008 - (Page 17)

She had been looking for a job to help pay her way but had not been able to ﬁnd one because she was told she had no experience. Throughout our conversation she continued to translate our conversation to her mother. Her brother told her not to worry and his genuine concern for her rang true. I gathered all the information I needed and we scheduled an appointment to meet again in two days. She agreed to see her counselor in the morning and I expressed how important it was that she and her mother see the counselor immediately. I emailed her counselor and explained the situation and asked that he see them in the morning to determine if she was on track to graduate. As they have done every step along the way since the ﬁrst meeting, she and her mother followed my directions to a tee. They met with the counselor. Together we crafted a plan. She would go on independent study for one semester and attempt to make up credits. She would sign up for the work-study program and since she had been having so little success ﬁnding a job, I agreed that she could work for me to earn an additional 10 credits. This articulate young lady has proven invaluable to the counseling department at Badger Springs Middle School. She uses her excellent bilingual skills to translate conferences, schedule appointments, answer questions about intervention programs and co-present guidance lessons on test-taking strategies and conﬂict resolution. She participated in Family Counseling Night, helping to co-facilitate teen anger management groups for seven weeks. She talks to students returning from suspension about choices she has made that have helped and hurt her. Professional, punctual, caring, ﬂexible, eager to learn, and willing to help she was sought by counselors, teachers, oﬃce staﬀ, and students. Often working long hours, she translated AB 1802 evening conferences with ease. Most visitors assumed she was a graduate ﬁeldwork student from one of the area universities. I will admit that I beam when I talk about her. In one semester, she made up all of her credits earning A’s and B’s and returned to comprehensive high school in January. The cheering section at her graduation will include Badger Springs staﬀ and many graduate ﬁeldwork students. At the culminating event for Family Counseling Night, the ﬁeldwork students presented her with two sets of scrubs, her own stethoscope and a certiﬁcate of recognition for her immense contributions to the counseling department. One is helping her to complete her ﬁnancial aid forms. Another worked with her on her resume. Another took her and her family out to dinner over the holiday break and still another is taking her shopping for her prom and graduation dresses and accessories. I have written her a strong letter of recommendation to seek employment. There is no doubt that this determined young lady will use what she learned in her family’s AB 1802 conference to become a contributing member of society and I, for one, would be delighted to look up from my hospital bed and see this wonderful young lady in her nursing uniform taking care of me. ■ AM g earnin With L DING lities ’S LEA E R I CA Disabi R G E FO COLLE /H and AD NTS STUDE D For more than 20 years, Landmark College in Putney, VT has been the leader in the creation of successful learning strategies exclusively for students with learning disabilities and AD/HD. More than eight of every 10 of our graduates go on to pursue bachelor’s degree studies at the college of their choice. Learn More at Our Open Houses 2008: Feb. 16 • Mar. 29 • Apr. 19 For information and to register, contact us at 802-387-6718 E-MAIL admissions@landmark.edu PHONE www.landmark.edu The California School Counselor | summer 2008 17 http://www.landmark.edu

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of California School Counselor - Summer 2008

California School Counselor - Summer 2008 Contents Presidential Perspectives Jackie’s Jottings Executive Director’s Report Cyberbullying and Equal Access Northern California Conference Highlights Book Review Making a Difference One Family at a Time An AB 1802 Success Story Legislative Update CASC Members Honor Assemblywoman Linda Sanchez Pics, Clicks and Technics Calendar Index to Advertisers

California School Counselor - Summer 2008

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