1000 specialists...

[WineRN]

Do all schools have so many extra people?

We have 2 counselors, 2 full time reading specialist, 2 speech teachers, PT/OT that comes in 3 times a week, a volunteer group of people who will help those struggling with reading read (they read at a table outside of my office), 4 "safe zone staff" where teachers can send kids who need a "break".

I guess I never realized just how many non teachers were around in the school!

[KKEGS, MSN, RN]

We have 3 counselors/social workers and 2 school psychs at my middle school (super duper high needs) and 1.5 school psychs but no counselors at my elementary school. The district also employs PTs and OTs that travel from school to school. Also speech therapists at each school. I know we have at least 2 reading specialists at my elementary school as well.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Sometimes it seems like kids have absolutely no ability to cope with life. Again, what are they going to do as adults when the world doesn't see fit to throw services at their "needs"?

[momto5RN]

Is it weird that I wish the school I'm at did have all of these specialsts?! At my school, we have one teacher for every grade level. The specials teachers (art, gym, Spanish, music) work part time. Two secretaries. The prinicipal is a Nun. The vice principal is the English teacher and "guidance counselor." Heavy emphasis on the quotations there because she really is a teacher not a social worker. And then there is me. That's it! I like to say that I'm also the psych nurse because this year has been filled with a lot of mental health issues that I'm sure that the "guidance counselor" doesn't even know about. That's okay though, I like psych.

[kidzcare]

I see the Safe Zone as a way to TEACH kids to deal with unexpected life events and stressors. How many adults do you know that have a difficult time dealing with stress? How many use drugs or alcohol to self medicate instead of healthy ways of coping with problems? Do you have any co-workers who don't handle criticism well or lash out (physically or verbally) at others when they are overwhelmed?

Perhaps if these adults had had a place to feel safe and learn how to self regulate during difficult times they would have better coping mechanisms as adults?

That being said, the chance to abuse these services is quite high. But a blessing for those who need it. When we read a "feel good" story about a kid who had a rough home life and then found a mentor in a coach or specific teacher, we are quick to say "Wow! How lucky that you had that person! What a blessing they are- we need more people like that coach/teacher!" but when we set up a place to provide that service, we call the young people who use it "soft" and wonder what kind of adults they will be.