As the proverb goes: "It takes a village to raise a child."
Well guess what?
It also takes a village to raise a school counselor.
Not only did I survive the first few days of school with students - I THRIVED. It was an incredible first week, and it was incredible in part because of my village.
For instance:
My mom made countless trips to our neck of the woods - schlepping kids to and from their many activities and appointments.
My sister called me every day, multiple times a day, offering her sincere help, making me laugh and helping me feel less crazy despite my new, crazy reality.
My friend Jami gathered my kids under the "Welcome Back" canopy, posed them in front of the elementary school and took their first-day-of-school pics.
My tribe of dearest mom friends threw me a "Congrats on the New Job" dinner party and sent me home with a trunk full of gifts.
The insanely amazing staff at Fairbanks offered me a single, collective message: "Ask us anything. We are here for you, and we are here to help."
The custodians kindly removed and disposed of every Amazon box from the pile on my floor, and our superintendent even jumped in to help me hang art on my office wall.
The former FMS school counselor continues to be one my biggest cheerleaders, mentors and guides.
My kids excitedly jumped in the van every time I had to run back to school - helping me assemble locker tags, decorate bulletin boards and make final adjustments.
The man of my dreams delivered flowers to me at school on my first day.
A friend excitedly texted me when she found the PERFECT "grace upon grace" sign to hang in my office, and she delivered it to me via her daughter - one of my students.
Not to mention, your messages, notes, Marco Polos and prayers are still filling my phone, mailbox and heart.
And can we talk about my office for a minute? I was worried that I would have to settle for a space that didn't feel like me because of its size and constraints. BUT I WAS SO WRONG. Because of YOUR generosity, kindness and love, my office is a beautiful, inviting, warm, fun and safe haven for 270 precious middle school students. You guys, they LOVE the office. Your gifts are all the rage. Over and over I heard, "I want this to be my room at home," and, "Can I just live in here?"
I can't believe I GET to do this job and that I GET to do it in this space.
Pinch me.
Your impact on my life and on the lives of these students is immeasurable. The role of a school counselor is to help students be successful at school and in life, and already that work is underway because of this village - because of YOU.
Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this new chapter in my life a reality, and thank you forever for extending your heart to these students that I adore so dearly.
It takes a village, and I'm so glad to call you mine.
