The principal asking for help, a little boy is acting out. …… where was that magic wand?
This post is a flashback from my guidance officer years, a critical incident that cropped up in my base school. The thing was that my role did not encompass dealing first hand with critical incidents, I was supposed to work with students through a referral process. Working hands on with student problems as they arose was the job of the principal and teachers. My role was to follow through with counselling, consulting and meetings etc.
On this one particular morning the flustered principal put her head into my office early one morning, “Angela, we have a problem, I can't budge this little boy, he won't talk. I am sure you'll know what to do. He is highly oppositional and acting out, he is normally a very good boy. Miss Jones brought him to the office it is most out of character for Jack."
I wondered why a magic wand wasn't in my toolkit as I headed to the principal’s office. How in the heck am I going to do this? I was at a loss. My job was a mixture of everything, trouble-shooter, problem solver, diplomat and expert in the eyes of a school staff. They had faith in me, I am not sure that I did!
As I walked into the office all I saw was a very upset little boy cornered like a frightened mouse. It was evident that Jack was unwell and totally distressed. My heart went out to him. I knelt down in front of this little lad, “Oh Jack you are having a bad day . You are not feeling well are you?.” Jack nodded and immediately dissolved into tears, his defiance disappearing. “Do you want your mummy?” There was a nod of his head, eyes welling up with tears and a quiet, “yes.”
Dear little pet.
The principal asked the office to ring Jack’s mum and to collect Jack’s bag from the classroom.
Thank goodness, a happy ending. Another problem successfully solved until the next challenge came along.
Cheers
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howdy this fine Tuesday night angiemitchell! oh the poor little guy just needed an understanding touch didn't he?
Hi janton, yes, the school staff missed acknowledging his feelings. Something so little has such a powerful effect. Obviously this is why they have guidance officers to call upon in crisis time, lol.
howdy again angiemitchell! but I thought you weren't a guidance counselor, I thought they grabbed you to do something that was their job?
Hi janton, I worked as a guidance officer who did counselling, testing, report writing, training, parent training and so on. Then I worked as the Senior Guidance Officer supervising, training and managing all the guidance officers working in primary and secondary schools as well as doing regional jobs etc. Sorry, it is a complex area.
howdy this fine Wednesday angiemitchell! so in other words you were the one to call on when that little boy was having his fit! that must have been a highly rewarding job.
It seems so, this principal was in my base office school, I worked in a few schools doing case work through referrals the schools gave me.
howdy again angiemitchell! oh I see. Well I'm glad you didn't have to go out into the field into people's homes and such, that could get stressful.
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