President's Letter: Our United Principles Support Self-Care

Happy fall, fellow school counselors! How are you all doing? The countless hours leading up to the opening of the school year were at the very least doubled this year as we navigated the unchartered waters of preparing for the new school year and serving our students and families by email or virtual meetings instead of meeting with them in person. Many of us are still working in this format, which is mentally exhausting. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I miss interacting in person with my students!

This school year is definitely a new experience for all of us, and in speaking with many colleagues, I’m finding the level of fatigue is significantly higher. It is important to acknowledge this and other emotions we are experiencing and to remember that even though we are super counselors who give so much of ourselves, we must remember that we are also humans who need to take care of ourselves. 

WSCA’s conference and overall theme this year is United; Connect. Lead. Advocate. Innovate. These words were initially selected to help drive the work and keep us focused in this challenging year. While this still remains true, they also can serve as tools for self-care, which is particularly vital right now. To be the best version of ourselves for our students, their families and our loved ones, we need to remember to fill our fuel tanks. Therefore, we need to strive to unite and connect with people who elevate and make us feel good, lead by example, and manage and advocate for our self-care. This includes asking others for help and expressing our needs and wants by setting boundaries. We must also look beyond our comfort zones and innovate new hobbies or rituals into our lives that bring us relaxation and happiness.

As we progress through this year of uncertainty, remember that you are great and you are never alone. As a member of WSCA, know that your association continues to work for you and always has your back. Please reach out to Chris Kelly, our executive director, at chriskellywsca@gmail.com, or contact me or any of our board members if you have questions, ideas or concerns.

Contact Maria Castello, WSCA president, at Marisacastellowsca@gmail.com.