Counselor’s Corner - October 24, 2022 Edition

Dear Teachers,

This past week I traveled to Orlando to train a team of Special Education representatives for Florida Conference Schools.  Because I travel to Conferences regularly, I am accustomed to the routine of it all: Airport security, baggage claim, rental cars, and hotel stays.  After doing it for so long, very little surprises me.  

However, at the rental counter for my compact vehicle, I saw something that broke my heart.  A family of five stood at the counter, stranded without a working credit card and a Priceline reservation that locked them into an exasperated agent who was at her wits end.  Maybe it had been a long day of dealing with people, or maybe she was naturally impatient, but her admonishments got louder and the family became more desperate.  The sight of the mother crying and without options made me to clearly see the importance of customer service.  No matter how frustrating the situation, the family needed to not be embarrassed and hurt in the process.

And although we often frame educator roles as that of an evangelist, a minister, and a change-maker, your job description frequently comes down to customer service.  Yes, you likely have those days when you are frustrated to the point of being at your wit's end.  You probably get exhausted with long days of dealing with a tough student, and then have to deal with their equally tough parent, as well.  It may get to the point that you soothe the tears of a student and tears his/her parent all in one day.  And yet, you recognize the importance of customer service and approach the situation with empathy, warmth, and open-mindedness.  

So with World Kindness Day approaching on November 13th, consider sourcing resources for dealing with difficult parents, and remember that you daily bless others as a customer service representative of Jesus.

Gratefully,
Mindy Salyers
SDA School Counselor