On a daily basis, we are interacting with other people on a variety of
levels. Communicating and cooperating with co-workers to accomplish a
project, talking to the person behind the counter at the store, spending
time with friends and loved ones, and interacting over the phone or computer
are all examples of ways that social skills are used. While these skills
come naturally to some people, others struggle to be successful in these and
other situations. In the book Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman makes
a strong argument that these skills are more important to a person's success
than having a high IQ. Further, studies of schools that have incorporated
Social and Emotional Learning programs into their curriculums have shown
that these programs actually improve the academic performance of these
students.
Because of this, we strive to help every student to learn about themselves
and improve their ability to interact effectively with others. When there
is a concern, expressed by a parent, teacher, or other students, we work to
address these concerns in cooperation with the student's parents and
teachers. We address these concerns in a variety of ways, from meeting
individually or in groups with the students, to consulting with the parent
or teacher to provide strategies that they can implement in helping the
student to be more successful.
If you have any questions or have concerns about a student, please do not
hesitate to contact any of the counselors.
