This Is My Why!

Being a life-long learner and loving education, helping children, and being a conduit for positive change are why I chose a career in education. Recently, I was interviewed by a group that spotlights educators and authors. They were interested in understanding what drives me as a mental health professional and professional school counselor working in education. There are several things that bring me joy as I work with students and their families. I was provided the opportunity to expound upon a small segment of things that bring me joy. Additionally, as we gear up for the return to school, I was able to offer my perspective about the imperatives that need to be prioritized as students and educators return to school in whichever form, and I was pleased to share how my students have educated the educator!

1. What is the most joyful thing about working in education for you?

There are several things about education that bring me joy! As a Licensed Professional Counselor and professional school counselor working in education, creating a comprehensive counseling program that seeks to close achievement gaps, level the playing field for all students, and teach students about becoming empathetic, productive global citizens; supporting students as they become more self-aware, more self-accepting, grow more emotionally intelligent and academically adept with a desire to extend their learning beyond the confines of the school; advocating for culturally competent mental health and wellness education, and providing the school-wide community resources and support are the tip of the proverbial iceberg of things that bring me a sense of fulfillment when engaging in the work that I do. As a lifelong learner and mental health advocate, leading the charge to educate students, teachers, and all stakeholders about the importance of mental health and wellness as it relates to educational attainment and progression is imperative. 

2. What is the most needed curriculum or subject in schools that we lack today?

I believe the most important curriculum that is needed to complement academic rigor is SEL or social emotional learning. As we return to school, building relationships, making students feel safe and secure, and tending to the emotional needs of our students will have to be the top priorities. There is growing importance right now for schools to prioritize social emotional learning which, per the research, enhances student academic performance. There are myriad benefits to incorporating social emotional learning into all aspects of the curriculum- from improving emotional awareness and emotional intelligence, to learning how to manage their emotions and being more mindful of how their behaviors impact others, to building their resilience. An SEL-focused learning environment builds empathy in students and aids them in perspective taking; therefore, skills such as  collaborating with other students, self-advocacy, and conflict resolution increases. Building empathy among the school community is integral to moving forward, for everyone will be dealing with something known or unknown as we return to school in the age of COVID-19. Counselors tend to lead the charge with these efforts, but it will take a forward-thinking, school-wide approach to addressing the delicate emotional needs of our students if we want them to excel academically. The earlier we make social emotional learning a priority, the better the short-term and long-term outcomes will be not only for our students but also for our teachers, schools, and all stakeholders tasked with educating children.

3. What is the most important learning you’ve had from your own students?

I’ve worked in varying capacities over my 13 years in education, and I would have to say that the most valuable lessons I have learned on behalf of my students are that authenticity is vital to holistic health and happiness, and it’s important to foster genuine connections with others. I’ve primarily worked with middle school students, and I have witnessed them work tirelessly to uncover the truth of who they are, work to accept their gifts and uniqueness, and present themselves, unapologetically, to the world. For that age group, being authentic during a time when others really desire to blend in can be an uphill battle; they want to fit in and be accepted, as we all do, but lately, my students have reinforced for me the importance of loving the skin I am in, reveling in my uniqueness, and continuing to show up in the world as my best, authentic self. Furthermore, my students continue to teach me the importance of fostering connections. In schools, students routinely befriend others, and those friendships, relationships, and partnerships aren’t always successful; it can feel disheartening at times; however, what I bear witness to from them is the importance of being resilient in the face of disappointment. I’ve learned from my students that in order to foster genuine connections and to find your tribe of people, you have to, again, bring your authentic self to the situation, reciprocate what you desire to receive, and assert your needs. Ultimately, building and sustaining healthy relationships can benefit your holistic health and wellness. 

I’ll leave you with this quote that succinctly sums up my WHY!

“A person’s most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help others.” ~Unknown

I hope that all of the educators returning to schools, either in-person or virtually, take this time to meditate on, transcribe, and continually review their WHY! Being firmly rooted in your why will keep you as the times get tough, as you grow tired, and as you feel tapped out! Allow your WHY to sustain you to keep pressing, and please, never forget that you are someone else’s WHY- why they love school, why they feel safe, why they feel empowered, and why they push themselves outside their comfort zone. You provide an example, support, love, and consistency. Don’t ever lose sight of your WHY!!

Kindall Tyson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Therapist | Professional School Counselor | Educator Wellness Coach

Strategies to Cope with Unexpected Occurrences

According to Heraclitus, “The only constant in life is change,” and nothing has exemplified this statement more than the events that we have recently experienced. We as students, faculty, and families are dispersed throughout the world; our routines have been disrupted, we are unable to spend time with friends as we once had, we are less able to make definitive plans about our future, and yet, in the midst of the uncertainty and fear, we are still able to muster support for one another, show up for others around the world, and fulfill our responsibilities during this challenging time.

As a mental health professional, I can only imagine the levels of distress and uncertainty that some may feel, and I want to encourage you to pay special attention to your mental health during this time. It is easy to slip into negative thinking, feelings of boredom and hopelessness, and maladaptive behaviors when you’re cooped inside, lack connection with nature, and are dealing with fear of the unknown.

I endeavor to offer you a few tips and strategies to practice self-care, tend to your relationships, and mind your mental health during this time:

1.     Try and establish a schedule. As best you can, create set times for family time, scholastic responsibilities, physical exercise, and some social contact. Recent events have disrupted everyone’s routine and sense of normalcy; therefore, in an effort to regain some control over your day, try and establish a daily schedule. Doing so could provide a great opportunity for families to engage positively with one another and problem solve together.

2.     Limit your exposure to negative news about the event. I understand that news of the Coronavirus can be found in most places; however, you have control over how much you choose to access. Try to set a time during the day that you will limit your exposure to news that may depress your mood, make you feel anxious, or frustrate you further. Stay focused on those things that are within your immediate control. Stay as optimistic as possible and remind yourself that even though what you are enduring is not desirable, it is temporary!

3.     Focus on self-care. During this time, it is important to focus on your self-care. “Caring for your mind, body, and spirit can increase your ability to cope…” Eat well (as best as possible), get enough sleep (at least 8 hours), and exercise. If you are unable to get to a gym, there are online outlets that have exercise channels for you to watch and engage with.

4.     Practice healthy coping strategies. During this time of uncertainty and sometimes following unexpected natural events, you may experience intense emotions. It’s important to identify healthy ways of coping. As parents, open the lines of communication with your children about how they feel without reacting negatively, and for children, open up to your parents about the emotions that you may experience; don’t hold how you feel inside. Practice mindfulness strategies. They help you to deal with distressing emotions, remain present-focused, and cope more effectively. It could be mindful breathing and/or meditation. Click this link for a comprehensive list of healthy coping strategies. https://www.verywellmind.com/forty-healthy-coping-skills-4586742. Click this link to learn more about how to practice mindfulness, https://www.mindful.org/how-to-practice-mindfulness/.

Take it one day at a time and know that some days will be better than others. Remember, that this too shall pass, and you are not alone. If you are in greater need of assistance, reach out to a mental health professional; it is not a sign of weakness to seek support. I wish everyone well during this time.

Kindall Tyson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Therapist | Professional School Counselor | Educator Wellness Coach

Active Listening Skills for Parents

“It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.” Parents, in this day and age, time moves swiftly. Not only you but also your children can be pulled in several different directions and sometimes with the hustle and bustle of the day, it can be challenging to create time to engage in authentic, meaningful conversation with your child. While that may be the case, spending uninterrupted time with them is integral to their healthy growth and development and academic success.

Communication is a two-way exchange, and oftentimes, we as adults tend to dominate the speaker role. The thing is, kids have a lot to say; however, they often need a safe, nurturing space to share what they think and how they feel and the right person to listen. Incorporating active listening skills into your conversation demonstrates to your child that you are serious about improving the quality of your communication and connection.

Here are 8 actionable skills to help you practice and improve your active listening skills:

1.     Validation-Acknowledge the individual’s problems, issues, and feelings. Listen with empathy and respond in an interested manner.

2.     “I” messages- By utilizing the “I” in statements, you focus on the issue and not the person. I-messages let others know what you feel. Here’s the formula for I-messages: I feel (emotion word) when/because (explanation).

3.     Emotion labeling- Helping someone label their feelings helps a person see things more objectively.

4.     Restating- To demonstrate that you are listening, repeat back to the other person what you heard him or her say and paraphrase your statement in your own words-for example,” If I hear you correctly…”  

5.     Minimal encouragers-To demonstrate that you are listening and to keep a consistent flow to the conversation, use short phrases such as, “I understand,” “Oh?” and “Then?”

6.     Silence- Use comfortable silence to temper the conversation. This also provides both parties time to respond and think. While silence can seem uncomfortable, it can be a powerful tool when communicating.

7.     Redirecting- If someone is showing signs of being aggressive, angry, or frustrated, shift the discussion to a different topic.

8.     Body language- When communicating, it’s imperative that your nonverbal cues are congruent with your words. Monitor your facial expressions, nod and smile, have an open posture (no closed arms), and lean in when the other person speaks to demonstrate interest.

As Winston Churchill stated, “Courage is what is takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Parents, think back to how it felt to be heard, genuinely heard, or not. Now, ask yourself, which experience would you rather pass on to your children-the feeling of being taken seriously, understood, and supported, or…NOT!

Have the courage to listen, attentively and actively to them, for there’s no time like the present to improve and enhance the relationship between you and your child.  

Kindall C. Tyson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

Therapist | Professional School Counselor | Educator Wellness Coach