Counselor’s Corner - October 10, 2022 Edition

Dear Teachers,

Next week my mom has an annual neurology appointment. That's right.  Every October my stomach gets in a knot and I book a flight to Atlanta to correspond with the Emory Brain Center 3-hour assessment and results review.  And every year the same anxious questions plague me, "Will she now be a full-on Alzheimer's patient?  Are the signs and symptoms I've seen this year significant indicators of her decline?  What are the practical ways I can help support her in living her best life despite declining capabilities?"  In short, these periodic meetings with my mom's physician can be stressful and worry-inducing.

And I think of you, there in your classroom, as you schedule quarterly parent-teacher conferences.  You're preparing for similar conversations with parents who are likely plagued with anxious questions like "Is my child performing at grade-level?  Are the signs and symptoms I've seen this year indicators of a possible learning disability?  What are practical ways I can help support my child in doing their best in school?"  And as you field their questions, review their assessment results, and discuss progress and setbacks in the classroom, I praise God that we get to have these conversations bathed in prayer.  Sure, there are strategies to reduce conflict and minimize parental surprise, and steps you can take to ensure that these meetings are positive and productive, but the biggest step is praying together with parents.  Sure, it will cut into the already-too-short-window of time, but what an impact that intentionality will have on the delivery, reception, and overall outcome of your time with families!

Uplifting YOU in prayer during parent-teacher conference season!

Warmly,
Mindy Salyers
SDA School Counselor