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The Sum of the Parts is Greater than the Whole

By Amanda Sterk posted 08-14-2016 14:47

  

Sum of the Parts is Greater than the Whole

www.unmaze.me 

After fifteen years in education, I have worked on all sides of the fence: teacher, counselor, and administrator. I have also had the privilege of teaching students from elementary through college level, allowing me to see the many different facets of growing up and how the educational system helps, and sometimes deters, that process.

Being a high school / college counselor now, I see daily the lack of resources available to parents and students today that are reliable and easily organized for the needs of students. I am often looking for a one-stop shop to guide parents on the many questions they have about the educational process; unfortunately, there is none. I also see that I am often recreating the wheel that other great counselors have already created. Continually finding new ways to reach my students and meet their needs is  a difficult task.

image credit https://pixabay.com/en/puzzle-cooperation-partnership-1020011/

I whole-heartedly believe that school guidance counselors are an invaluable resource to parents and students. However, I also realize the struggle of counselors today that often have a student load of over 1:450. While the recommended average is 1:250, I know of one school that has a ratio of 1:800! Also, our time is often divided between other duties such as testing, administrative duties like supervision, and countless meetings and committees that pull us from providing counseling to our students. When I do meet with parents and students (which I love) I find that they often have similar questions and concerns. This is the hole I wish to fill: a place you can find quality information that allows you to share your expertise with other counselors and educators, while learning about areas you need help with. Individually we cannot do it all; together we can. This community is designed to allow you to provide better service to the families you serve in multiple ways. 

I hope this website becomes an essential piece of your lives as counselors/ educators, a place you go when you have a question or a concern. My wish is to bring in experts in the relevant fields of adolescence to focus on the three domains of student lives: the academic, the social and emotional, and finally the college and career. Thus, through excellent resources, community conversation, and packaged product, Unmaze Me can live up to its name, helping you feel free of the maze, making high school simplified.

 If you are interested in working smarter together, please email me at asterk@unmaze.me or go to my website and join the newsletter. I welcome all collaboration to provide better services for all our families we serve every day.

Amanda Sterk

 

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