President's Letter: A Haven for Every Student

Well, we are entering the home stretch . . . ACT is done (or almost done) and NDSA is upon us. It seems that once all that is complete, the remainder of the year just whizzes by!

This month’s issue is all about trauma-informed schools. When there is a history of trauma in a young person’s life and that history, or daily experience of trauma, is causing behavioral concerns that lead to disciplinary action, school counselors must exercise their advocacy skills. Students who are acting out because of trauma need to have a safe place (and safe adult) to help them process the emotions that are causing their behavior. This is why it is so important that all students have access to a school counselor!

When I was a shared counselor between two districts (three school buildings), this was my biggest frustration. I was working with a little guy who often acted out, who also had a history of trauma. When I was there, I was able to intervene and typically could get him back on track. Unfortunately, I knew there were days when I was not in the building that this student ended up sitting in the principal’s office because there was nowhere else for the student to be. Sadly, I believe this teaches kids that their strong emotions, which they certainly have a right to feel, are not okay and they learn to bottle them up, which only cause more issues later on.

I know that it is so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day – our scheduled appointments, classroom lessons, groups, etc. But it is equally if not more important to really keep our eyes and ears open for these students who need us to advocate for them and help them find a safe haven in the midst of all that has – or is – happening in their little lives. Be that safe haven by showing them that there are adults in their lives they can trust!

Contact April Foth, NDSCA president, at aprilsfoth@gmail.com.