Self-Advocacy and Self-Regulation
By Leslie Kelly, NMSCA Legislative Chair | December 2017
This school year marks my second year as an elementary school counselor at a tribally run school on an Indian Pueblo in New Mexico. All students or their families are members of the tribe and all students have to possess a certificate of Indian blood (CIB) to attend the school. Every day I learn something new about the culture, language, religion and life in this community. One of the many things my students have in common with every other population I have worked with is the need to learn how to self-regulate.
Our school has adopted Second Step as the social/emotional curriculum I use in every classroom, K-5. Much of that curriculum teaches students about emotions, empathy and how to deal with strong feelings. I supplement the schoolwide classroom curriculum by providing small groups for students needing additional support. This year, I am teaching all my groups how to self-regulate by breathing and having a mindful body. I do not use the word “meditation” because sometimes that has multiple meanings; instead, I use the words mindful and self-regulation. My goal is simple: teach students skills to self-regulate, have them practice the skills to gain proficiency, and have them use those skills in everyday life to calm down, center, prepare to learn and deal with strong feelings.
One of the best resources I have found is Mindful Schools. An effective way to introduce mindfulness to students K-5 is using a video from their website, “Just Breathe.” This short video features students, mostly elementary aged, talking about how breathing helps them calm down and become ready to learn. Another great resource has come through the New Mexico School Counselor Association (NMSCA). I have found other members who are implementing mindfulness practices into their school counseling programs and we have been able to share and support one another. The president of our association and I have submitted a proposal on using mindfulness in schools to present at a statewide conference for nurses and counselors. I would not have thought to reach out to my colleagues had I not been involved in my professional organization. NMSCA encourages advocacy for myself and my school counseling program and emphasizes the importance of sharing my knowledge and experience with other professionals across the state.
Our school has adopted Second Step as the social/emotional curriculum I use in every classroom, K-5. Much of that curriculum teaches students about emotions, empathy and how to deal with strong feelings. I supplement the schoolwide classroom curriculum by providing small groups for students needing additional support. This year, I am teaching all my groups how to self-regulate by breathing and having a mindful body. I do not use the word “meditation” because sometimes that has multiple meanings; instead, I use the words mindful and self-regulation. My goal is simple: teach students skills to self-regulate, have them practice the skills to gain proficiency, and have them use those skills in everyday life to calm down, center, prepare to learn and deal with strong feelings.
One of the best resources I have found is Mindful Schools. An effective way to introduce mindfulness to students K-5 is using a video from their website, “Just Breathe.” This short video features students, mostly elementary aged, talking about how breathing helps them calm down and become ready to learn. Another great resource has come through the New Mexico School Counselor Association (NMSCA). I have found other members who are implementing mindfulness practices into their school counseling programs and we have been able to share and support one another. The president of our association and I have submitted a proposal on using mindfulness in schools to present at a statewide conference for nurses and counselors. I would not have thought to reach out to my colleagues had I not been involved in my professional organization. NMSCA encourages advocacy for myself and my school counseling program and emphasizes the importance of sharing my knowledge and experience with other professionals across the state.