President's Letter: With Firm Resolution

If all goes according to plan, this letter is landing in your inbox in early January. We were able to see so many of you for our first in-person conference in November! With 300 of us gathered in Mankato, the energy between colleagues was simply amazing. Thank you for helping to make our first live event off Zoom such a wonderful success! We are still taking feedback about the conference to ensure we are giving members what they need. Please take a few moments to fill out the Post-Conference Survey so we hear your thoughts.

Now, we’ve officially made it to 2023. I’m sure many of you have had conversations with friends and family about the different resolutions and goals you’ve set. Whether or not you ascribe to New Year’s Resolutions, I’d like you to consider a new idea: School Counselor Resolutions. Let’s start with the foundation. The actual definition of “resolution” is:

1. A firm decision to do or not to do something.
2. The quality of being determined or resolute.
3. The action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.

I’m drawn most to the first part of the definition – “a firm decision.” That makes me think of all the amazing things school counselors do, but maybe we need a firm reminder from time to time. Here’s my list of School Counselor Resolutions:

• I will prioritize my mental health as an example to the families I support, allowing me to be the best counselor I can for my students.
• I will use my skills to advocate for my community in the way that makes sense for me.
• I will check my implicit biases and use that knowledge to interrupt systems of oppression.
• I will see my students holistically, and honor all the pieces of their identity.
• I will use the privilege of my position with students to encourage and empower them.
• I will advocate for all students in my building, even those whose experiences are vastly different from my own.
• I will be kind to myself, and extend grace and self-compassion when I can’t do all of these things, or when I make a mistake.

I invite you to create your own set of School Counselor Resolutions, and encourage you to write them down! Put them somewhere in your office space that you can go back to regularly. Then check in with yourself: Am I doing these things? What do I need to change to ensure I’m striving towards these resolutions?

If your School Counselor Resolution includes work around advocacy, one way to begin is by attending our annual Day on the Hill! This year, Day on the Hill will be in-person at the State Capitol, right in the middle of National School Counseling Week. Check your email for registration information and we’ll make sure you get all the information you need.

Thank you for all that you do! We are grateful for each of you.

Contact Becky Mendoza, MSCA president, at president@mnschoolcounselors.org.