When I began my school counseling career, I was Ms. Stromberg. No one ever mispronounced it and it was easy enough for my 5th graders to remember. For three years I was called by my maiden name and it wasn't until I was applying for a marriage license, that I realized how much of a change it is for women in the education field to change their name.
So I married a guy with the last name Flier. Looks like it should describe one who flies, but it does not. Fl-ee-r. "Like the baseball cards", was the way I described it at my interviews. "Rhymes with the beloved beverage of Wisconsin", I emailed my new elementary school when I began. To students, I told them it rhymes with "cheer".
Then, I had a Kindergarten teacher who dubbed me "Mrs. Flier who brings good cheer" whenever I enter the classroom and since then, the name has stuck - with the Kinders anyway. :) How fitting is that for a school counselor? Isn't that the definition of what we hope to do - bring good cheer?
I hope to blog ideas I've come across, share what's worked for me and what has not, and organize the school counseling program I have here at Willow. I am so fortunate to work with five other elementary counselors who are ROCK STARS, a team of teachers who are supportive of the role of a counselor, and an administrator who "gets" what a school counselor does. I am blessed.
