haleemo

[haleemo]

Macro Post #4

After watching all of the practicum presentations in class on Thursday, I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed. While I enjoyed my time at SWA, I felt like other students may have gotten more out of their practicum experience than Team SWA. I knew that with a global pandemic limiting the school to only virtual, that there may be some challenges to being a member of Team SWA. However, I felt like it was meant to be more of an internship for graduate students in a school of education. We spent multiple days simply taking down and putting up bulletin boards for teachers’ classrooms and in the hallways. When we did do activities that were related to public health and our deliverables, I was a bit concerned that we were not qualified to be doing that type of work. For example, while I really enjoyed meeting one on one with students who were struggling because it gave me a real opportunity to interact with students, there were a couple students who needed serious counseling. With the students that were really struggling, I felt like I was a therapist for them. I was unsure of what I could and could not say and how to “coach” them through what they were dealing with. I think implementing some type of training at the beginning of the semester/practicum would be very beneficial for future practicum groups. I think that this would help students know exactly how to handle the difficult responses that will be received from some students.

One of the most interesting, and I believe useful points, in the practicum was the WhyTry training. We have over 20 years of experience teaching social and emotional skills in education, corrections, and community mental health. The concept of WhyTry has had a straightforward idea from the beginning. The idea of Why Try is to teach critical life skills to youth in a way they can understand and remember. WhyTry is based on sound empirical principles, including solution-focused brief therapy, social and emotional intelligence, and multisensory learning. WhyTry delivers programs, tools, and training to help change students from unmotivated to engaged, failing to graduates, and from hopeless to resilient. The WhyTry curriculum uses ten visual metaphors to teach important life skills. One of the WhyTry examples that we actually used in our final presentation is the crab in the pot metaphor. A natural characteristic of blue crabs when they are in a pot is for them to cling and grab onto each other. If a blue grab is able to reach the rim of the basket and it is able to begin to pull itself out the other grabs will reach out and grab the one that is trying to get out. This metaphor is meant to suggest that sometimes people around us will try to keep us from “getting out” or changing. “Like crabs in a pot they will keep pulling us down if we try to get out.” This metaphor, like the other WhyTry metaphors, uses real life examples to make a connection to students.

The WhyTry training was an optional training for the teachers at SWA and I think that it should have been mandatory for all of the teachers. This training is especially important given the current situation that students are having to learn in. Many students seemed that they just did not have the motivation to complete school work or even to log into classes. If the teachers at SWA, and all schools for that matter, were required to complete the WhyTry training, I truly believe that schools would see a significant increase in the number of students who were participating in classes. This increase would likely lead to an overall improvement in student’s grades as well.

While my time at SWA was not exactly what I thought it would be, there were many positive experiences that I believe were beneficial for my public health experience. The WhyTry training was a great experience and I think its content can be really beneficial for teachers, parents, and students in working to keep students motivated and on track. I think to ensure that future practicum groups get the most out of their time at SWA that some type of “counseling” training should be implemented to ensure that students know how to handle students with difficult challenges. Additionally, participating in more programs such as the WhyTry training would allow future practicum groups to learn about public health trainings that help students stay motivated while in difficult situations.

[haleemo]

Macro Post #3

Team SWA planned two large events this semester for the 83 seniors at SWA. It was difficult trying to figure out ways to celebrate the seniors, while also making sure to follow social distancing rules. The main focus of these two events was to ensure that the seniors at SWA felt motivated and also felt as if they had a support system to get them through their last few months of their senior year. The first event that we planned was on senior picture day. The students had appointments to come in in waves to get their senior portraits taken. To help the seniors feel special and to keep them motivated, we set up tables outside where students could pick up goodies. The first table had yard signs that I designed and ordered saying “Proud Home of SWA Senior, Class of 2021.” These were a hit! Parents and students both really liked and appreciated that the school bought the signs for the seniors. The next table had personalized “SWA Class of 2021” cups that had Class of 2021 bracelets in them, stress balls, and personalized SWA Class of 2021 stickers. At this table students also had the option to write their names on graduation caps that we would hang in the school celebrating the seniors for the students’ return on November 30 (we sanitized the pens the students used). At the third table, we had a prize wheel. Students had a chance to spin the wheel (we sanitized after each spin!) and win prizes such as, a t-shirt, a SWA face mask, candy, or other goodies. We also set up an area with props that students could use and take pictures. We had enough props that each senior could pick one and keep it so that there was no contamination. Senior picture day was really a success and I believe it gave students an opportunity to interact with SWA staff and to see that while things may be virtually currently, the SWA team is still there for them and wants to make sure that they stay motivated until their graduation. Some of the seniors who came on picture day actually had to be told that they had to leave campus, because they wanted to stay and catch up with their friends. It was exciting to see that students seemed excited to be back on campus and interacting with not only their friends, but the SWA staff as well.

The second large event that the SWA interns coordinated was the senior car parade. It took some time to coordinate a time that worked best for all students and staff, but we finally landed on Saturday November 14. Initially, we were a bit worried that we would not have a large number of participants, but when the day came students and parents really showed up! Parents arrived first with signs and balloons and cow bells and set up in the carpool loop. Then students arrived and decorated their cars in the parking lot. Once the students were set up they drove through the carpool loop while parents and friends cheered them on. I think that the seniors who participated enjoyed the opportunity to decorate their cars and have their family and friends cheering them on. I think that this was a great way to keep seniors motivated and for them to realize how close they are to graduating!

In my opinion, it seemed that both of these events were beneficial for the seniors because it gave them a mid-semester motivation boost. It also gave the seniors an opportunity to feel special in this weird pandemic time. The seniors were able to see that while still virtual right now, the staff at SWA, family, and friends, still want to ensure that they feel that they are getting the most out of their senior year. During both of these events multiple parents and students came up to us and SWA staff members and thanked us for putting these events on. Students and parents seemed so grateful just for a chance for the seniors to get out and be recognized and celebrated for all of their hard work so far.

Of the entire semester, these two events were by far my favorite project that we worked on. It allowed us an opportunity to actually interact with the students and show them that we were on their side and working for them. I was really pleased with both of these events and think that if school continues to be virtual, that more events such as these should be put on.

[haleemo]

I can’t believe it’s the LAST WEEK at SWA! I am going to be ending #Week12, by completing another WhyTry training focused on Supporting Students with Special Needs During a Pandemic. I think this is a perfect way to end my time on #TeamSWA because this directly deals with social and emotional learning!

[haleemo]

Macro Post #2

Throughout the semester I have been having individual meetings with students to provide support to them during this stressful time. I have had meetings with several different students and I have had multiple meetings with some of those students. It has been very challenging to get some students to set up meetings and I think that a large part of that is due to students not wanting to discuss their personal challenges with a “stranger.” In fact, I had one student respond to my email asking who I was and how I got their contact information, despite me introducing myself in my introductory email. A barrier I have noticed to student’s utilization of counseling resources at SWA is that students are reluctant to meet virtually. Of the students that I met with, most told me that they were reluctant to meet with me because they would have preferred to meet in person.

Once I was able to get students to meet with me another barrier presented itself: students did not necessarily want to talk about the challenges they were facing, but rather just wanted someone to chat with. Many of the students that I met with admitted that they did not want to talk about school or their mental health, but just wanted someone that they could chat with. I had a few students that did want to discuss challenges and some of those conversations were very upsetting. When thinking of students who wanted to discuss challenges they were facing on particular student came to mind. She was desperate for an outlet and I felt like I was her therapist. Her home life was very difficult, which made completing school at home extremely difficult for her. When I asked how I could assist her, all she wanted was for the school to reopen. This one student’s experience is a prime example of just how important school is for children. The school setting can provide students with a safe and comfortable environment. In my opinion, students with emotional needs have been most impacted by COVID-19 in the school setting. When school is a social and emotional getaway for students, being unable to come into the school can really impact their emotional well-being and learning capabilities.

SWA is planning to reopen school on November 30. Most of the students I have met with are excited for this reopening. They are excited to see their teachers and friends and to be back in the school setting. Some students on the other hand, are more reluctant to return to school. When I met with the students who were reluctant to return to school, most said they were worried that they would return to school and then the school would close again.

In addition to meeting virtually with students who seemed to be struggling with online learning or emotionally, a few students would come into SWA to catch up on their assignments. We made sure to socially distance the students from one and other and to ensure that face masks were worn at all times. I really enjoyed when students came in because it was an opportunity to interact with students even though the students were not in school. When students came in I really feel that it made a difference for the students because they had people other than their parents or guardians trying to help and motivate them to complete their coursework. And on days when multiple students came in, you could easily see the excitement on the student’s faces when they got to see their friends, even though they were still socially distanced. Meeting with students virtually and discussing challenges they were facing, or even just chatting, and working to motivate students who came into SWA to complete coursework helped me to identify and understand challenges that students with social and emotional needs are dealing with. The meetings and having students come into SWA has been very beneficial in helping to address the students social and emotional needs. Overall, I really believe that students who are currently struggling with online learning and who are struggling emotionally, will see a great improvement upon returning to school. SWA has a plan in place for reopening that I feel will ensure that the students can return on November 30th and remain in school until this pandemic is over. SWA is prepared and excited for children to return to school and again, I believe this will greatly help students who are currently struggling emotionally and socially. #TeamSWA

[haleemo]

After a successful senior picture day #TeamSWA started off #Week11 by setting up bulletin boards for the students return! Students are expected to come back in a couple of weeks and when they return we want them to feel excited to be back!

[haleemo]

Macro Post #1

Barriers and Solutions to Barriers at SWA

A risk that Southern Wake Academy (SWA) faces is a large percentage, ~30%, of their students have mental health and emotional needs. This risk is exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires students to complete their courses virtually rather than in person. On top of the large percentage of students with mental health and emotional needs, SWA does not meet the American School Counselor Association’s recommended ratio for counselors to students. The American School Counselor Association’s recommendation for counselors to students is 250:1, while SWA is 400-500:1. Additionally, SWA is lacking in health resources. SWA does not have a school nurse, nor a behavioral interventionist. The SWA school psychologist only comes into the school once a week. Building upon SWA’s risks, there are building restrictions. There is no physical room for students who have outbreaks or are sick. 

SWA is located in Wake County, however, some students travel from rural counties to attend SWA. Rurality affects this risk because mental health providers in rural areas are scarce. When students travel to SWA from rural areas, SWA’s school psychologist, who only comes to the school once a week, may be the only psychologist that the rural student has access to. Concerning rural populations with mental health disorders, there has traditionally been a three-part problem for the disparate impact of mental health disorders in rural areas: accessibility, availability, and acceptability of mental health services. Concerning accessibility of mental health services in rural areas some of the core issues include transportation to and from services and the ability to pay for services. If rural students at SWA have accessibility to free services provided by the school, and they are already traveling to school, then they have access to mental health services that they otherwise may not have access to. In regards to availability of mental health services in rural communities, the core issue is health professional shortages. As with accessibility, if SWA makes mental and emotional health services available to students, that can greatly reduce the challenge to rural students. Concerning acceptability of mental health services in rural areas the two core issues are increased stigma and decreased anonymity in seeking psychological services. If SWA offers mental and emotional health services to their students, rural students do not have to fear stigma because anonymity can be increased. Additionally, if SWA is able to advertise the mental health services that they offer there may be a sense of normalization regarding seeking service for mental and emotional health needs. 

To combat some of the barriers at SWA, an increase in the number of counselors could provide a solution. However, with low numbers of counselors being a statewide problem, this is more of a long-term solution. An immediate solution to this risk is increasing the number of interns. As one of four interns at SWA we are each working on two to three projects. I am working on the Lunch Bunches project, grant writing/increasing mental support, Support Our Seniors. Lunch Bunches is a social interaction and connection project for SWA’s high schoolers and middle schoolers. The goal of Lunch Bunches is to allow students an opportunity to meet students with similar interests and promote socialization in the virtual environment. This project allows students the ability to build connections with other students, whether they were friends before this or that they otherwise may not have met. This could prevent students from feeling a sense of isolation and as if they have no connection or relationship with other students. This project can help to give students a sense of community even while being virtual and not being able to physically see other students. In the socio-ecological model this project focuses on the relationship and community levels. At the relationship level students can build relationships with other students that may influence their behavior and contribute to their experiences. The relationship level on this project works to promote healthy relationships. At the community level, this project can help to reduce social isolation and create a better social environment. 

Additionally, the counselors sent out a survey asking students how they were feeling about online learning, if anxiety levels had increased, and overall how students were feeling about being virtual. The goal of this new project is to go through and schedule Google Meets with students who are struggling or need help based on their responses to the survey. This new project is incredibly important in preventing an increase in students’ negative mental and emotional well-being. While the interns are not counselors, this project allows students to talk with us about whatever they need and gives us a chance to help steer them in the right direction. It is so imperative to make sure that the students know that they have someone there fore them. Someone they can talk to. Someone they trust. Discussing that they are struggling with online learning or are feeling higher anxiety levels or just need help with their virtual technology, can help to prevent students’ mental and emotional health from deteriorating. This project focuses on the individual, relationship, and community levels of the socio-ecological model. At the individual level, having one-on-one meetings with students could promote attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors at a personal level that can help to improve the student’s emotional and mental needs. At the relationship level, using a prevention program such as the individual meetings can help students to strengthen their problem-solving skills and to promote healthy relationships with whoever is reaching out to them. Finally, at the community level this project can reduce a student’s feeling of isolation and improve their overall social relationships that occur within SWA. 

[haleemo]

#TeamSWA is starting off #Week10 by prepping for Senior Picture Day this Thursday! We created little gift cups for the seniors with bracelets, stickers, and stress balls! We also have yard signs for the seniors to take home and we will also be giving out gifts if seniors want to spin the wheel!

[haleemo]

#Week9 This week #TeamSWA helped decorate the school to get ready for the teachers return! We started filming for our class presentation video! 

[haleemo]

#Week8 is starting off great! I checked my email and received my WhyTry Training certificate for the training I participated in last week! WhyTry is an organization that teaches participants how to motivate unmotivated students and to help students answer the question: Why try?

[haleemo]

#Week7 at SWA was a busy one! I met with some students at the school and helped them get some assignments done! I also participated in the WhyTry Training where we learned some skills for how to motivate students. I had a few student check-in’s this week where we talked about college and just chatted! 

[haleemo]

FINALLY got the chance to go into SWA this week! I am going to start coming in on Wednesdays and Thursday afternoons! I have been meeting with students one on one to do check-ins and I am loving it! I love so much working with children and helping them during this difficult time. #TeamSWA #Week6

[haleemo]

#Week5 was a busy week! I worked remotely again, but I participated in all three lunch bunches and we actually had a decent number of students participate! On Thursday I met with a couple of students and we just spent some time chatting about how we can help them to improve their learning (virtual is proving to be hard for EVERYONE). I am setting up another appointment next week with one of the students to continue to provide support! #TeamSWA

[haleemo]

Let’s go #TeamSWA! Emily, Destini, and I have still been working hard to get more participation in Lunch Bunches! We’re having some of the same students continue to comeback, so that’s progress right?! Emily and I had an individual meeting this week to figure out a plan for the grant opportunities for SWA! #Week4 was a busy one, but we are getting things done!

[haleemo]

Emily and I are working on hard on #TeamSWA’s Lunch Bunches, where we are trying to get students to connect with each other during the lunch period! #Week3 was a little bit slow and we only had about two students each lunch session. BUT good news! The students are starting to tell their friends! Hopefully we’ll get more next week!

[haleemo]

Last week we began working on fundraising and grant opportunities for SWA! We have a Google Doc so that we can all work together to find the most opportunities for the students!

[haleemo]

Yesterday my group met with our preceptor Lauren! I am SO excited to get started on this project! I can tell it’s going to be an incredible experience! #TeamSWA