Meet Ms. Malakoff
Where is my office located (where is it near)?
If you need to see me, what do you do?
Tell your teacher, fill out Counselor Referral form on Schoology, tell me if you see me, tell your grownup at home.
Am I allowed to tell your teacher and friends what you talk about in her office?
No. What you share with me is private unless I’m worried about your safety or someone else’s safety. Also, if I feel it would be helpful for your teacher(s) to know, I will talk with you about how you feel about them knowing what you may share with me.
Name one feeling besides happy or sad.
Name two things I do as a school counselor.
Teach clasroom guidance lessons
Talk with students individually
Small groups
Help students with big feelings
Help students solve problems
Help with friendships
Help students learn calm down strategies
Help students when they're worried, upset, or frustrated
Work with teachers and families
Help students feel supported and successful at school!
What grades am I with this year?
1st, 3rd, and 5th!
True or False. I am in trouble if I you come to see me.
False! You are never in trouble if you come to see me. Students can see me for lots of reasons, when they need help, want to talk, have a problem, have something good to share, or I may need your help with something!
What do you do if I come get a student from your class?
Keep working and mind your own business. You don’t need to ask why they are leaving. There are so many different reasons why I may be asking to talk to a student!
Name two things you can do when you're feeling nervous at school.
Take deep breaths (take five!), use positive self-talk (I've got this!), talk to a trusted adult, think of your happy place.
I see you for classroom guidance lessons on LAMPS, but what is one other way I may see you?
Individually, small group
Name two times when you may want to talk to me.
Examples: Friendship, worries, something at home that is on your mind.
What do you do if you know a student came to talk with me and returns to class?
Respect their privacy. Don’t ask them why they saw me or what they talked about. That is not your business, and you wouldn't want someone asking you.
Your feelings are getting REALLY big in class. What could you do?
Use a calming strategy or tell your teacher that you need help.
What is something you hope we talk about in counseling lessons this year?
Different answers!
What is my favorite baseball team?
New York Yankees
True or False. You should ask to talk to me right before you take a test.
Unless it’s an emergency, you should stay for your test and find another time to talk with me. Urgent vs something that can wait. I try to see you the day you want to talk with me!
What does confidentiality mean?
It means what you share with me is private and I don’t share it with others unless there is a safety concern.
Name one thing you can tell yourself when something feels hard.
Examples: “I can do this,” “I can try again,” “It’s okay to ask for help,” or “I can take it one step at a time.”
Name one thing that is in YOUR control when you’re upset.
Your words, actions, choices, attitude, or how you respond.
What is my favorite color?
Yellow
False! You can talk to me about big problems, small problems, questions, worries, or even something good happening in your life!
I will keep everything private that you share with me.
Most things are private, but if you tell me that you are being hurt, you might hurt yourself, or you might hurt someone else, I need to get help to keep everyone safe.
What can you do if a friend is having a really hard day?
Listen, be kind, give them space if they need it, or get an adult to help.
You’re angry with a classmate. What should you do BEFORE reacting?
Pause, take a breath, talk to an adult, be careful of your words and actions.