Post 6

I liked the case study that Dollarhide and Saginak (2012) present at the beginning of chapter 8. I feel that it is realistic considering the fact that I have dealt with similar boys and fighting during recess. Recess is an unstructured time where kids can be kids. At times, a kid being a kid can lead to aggravation and irritation. This later leads to aggressive behaviors and actions like the ones Phillipe displays. Aggression and anger derive from fear and pain. It seems to me that Phillipe could be having difficulties at home. However, he does not have a way to effectively manage this anger. It is pent up inside. Then, at recess, he displays this anger in a negative way through fighting on the playground. In a way, Phillipe may feel better after letting all of his pent up anger out. I recently got back from the Diversity Summit held at New Oxford High School. The conference was quite intriguing and purposeful. I wanted to briefly comment on the importance of challenging biases that we have in our conscious and unconscious. Although we may all believe that we are not discriminatory, racist, hold prejudices, or hold biases, I am quite certain that we do. As Dollarhide and Saginak (2012) note, we can only improve our understanding of other cultures and other perspectives by broadening our connections with persons of diversity. At the Diversity Summit, our keynote speakers (Conseulo Castillo Kickbusch – Mexican American and Manny Scott – African American – also from Freedom Writers) shared their experiences with discrimination and bias which they have faced throughout their lives (yes, even today). Although their stories were quite different, each shared a similar message. Each one of us sees the world from a different lens. Do not act colorblind - in fact - appreciate the differences in all of us, but more importantly, understand each individual’s lens/perspective. If we take time to listen first, as opposed to accepting biases or judgments, we will be successful counselors. Lastly, I liked how Dollarhide and Saginak pointed out the different dynamics of individual and group counseling. Of course, one method may be more beneficial than the other. It truly depends on the student’s needs. On one hand, individual counseling allows the counselor to work on isolated issues with an individual. The counselor caters only to one individual. The information gathered may be easier for the counselor to figure out the proper intervention needed for the specific individual. On the other hand, group counseling is a small group of students who are working toward the same goal. Often children can learn things from each other that they can't from teachers or counselors. The group environment fosters cooperative learning in a more individualized setting. Possible group counseling themes may include Study Skills, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Anger Resolution, Divorce / Mixed Families, and Friendship Skills. A counselor may be able to tackle more students at once using group counseling. Dollarhide, C.T., & Saginak, K.A. (2012). Comprehensive school counseling programs (2nd Ed.). New York: Pearson, Inc.