Consultation Week

This week I had the opportunity to have several consultation opportunities with teachers about two different students. I was able to apply much of the techniques that I have been learning in our consultation class. I have found that the teachers I am working with really desire tools to manage a particular student. In their eyes, they have tried everything with a student. At least, everything they can think of. My goal is to present ideas that may not have been thought of, but also think of solutions collaboratively.

In one of my consultations, another teacher joined in. When that teacher joined in, she offered her own frustrations. Typically, that sort of thing is fine. However, when trying to problem solve it puts more of the pressure on me. It became a "well, what's your idea? what should be done?" rather than a team effort. This taught me that I should try to consult in a more private area when accessible.

I am looking forward to my internship next year. I am hoping that I will have some kind of office space that is private enough for situations like I described or for testing. I think that I will be much more effective if I have these things. I have learned that I will have a laptop which is great. I am much more useful when I am given technology to learn.

Aside from consultation, I did some report writing and intervention planning. That is hopefully another area that I will be able to spend time doing at work next year. While I do not mind bringing work home generally, I work much better when I am in a work environment doing work. It is unfortunate when school psychologists have to do their report writing at home because they do not always have the resources they need at home. I found out that I will likely have about 25 cases next year. This should give me enough time to finish work at work -- hopefully.