Counseling - Powell Elementary

Meet our Counselor!

I am so excited to begin another year at Powell Elementary! I am here to help all of our students with issues that may be affecting their academics, social interactions and mental health. If you need any help or have any concerns regarding your child, please feel free to contact me.

Shawn Nixon

PROF COUNSELOR/ELEMENTARY

Email Address: snixon@conroeisd.net
Tel: 936-709-1700

What Does a School Counselor Do?

Classroom Guidance

Classroom guidance includes whole-group instruction, discussion, working in groups, art activities, and role-playing. Topics covered in classroom guidance include: character education, bullying prevention, social skills, career development, conflict resolution and self-control. Units are developed with a focus on the academic and personal/social development of all students and are based on the needs of the students and teachers.

Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling is available for all students. Students can be referred by themselves, teachers, or parents. During individual counseling, students are empowered to create their own goals and to build on their strengths in order to make positive changes. Topics covered during individual counseling will vary based on the student’s needs, but can include: anger management, conflict resolution, improving academic skills, coping with death or dealing with crisis situations.

Small Group Counseling

Small group counseling allows me to work with four to six students on a specific topic. Groups are usually formed based on a need identified by students, teachers, or parents. Groups meet for six sessions during the school day and parent permission is obtained before groups begin. Topics covered can include: developing healthy friendships, divorce, and reducing test anxiety and grief.

Responsive Services

Parent and teacher consultations can cover behavioral or academic concerns, classroom interventions, behavior management, or personal/social needs of students. Parent consultations may also focus upon concerns at school or home, parenting strategies, or developmental concerns.

Resources for Coping with Loss

Grief is a natural reaction to loss.
Each student’s grief experience is unique.
There are no “right” and “wrong” ways to grieve.
Every death is unique and will be experienced by your students in different ways.
The grieving process is influenced by a multitude of factors.
1. The nature of the death
2. The interpretation of the death
3. The status of the relationship between the student and the person who died
4. The emotional and developmental stages of students
5. The communities view of the death
6. Support systems available to students (family, church, school, etc.)
Grieving never ends. It is a process and not something people “get over.”

Issues often arise concerning one’s own health.
Children may feel relieved that the person died because they are no longer in pain.
Anticipatory grief may be experienced before the death. Grief will also occur after the death.
Anticipation of the death allows friends and family to say goodbye.
Long-term illnesses can be tiring and emotionally draining. Family members may be tearful, lack energy and have difficulty concentrating. Children may feel lonely and neglected since there is a lot of energy directed on caring for the dying person.
Keep communication clear, open and frequent.

Preschoolers

Need brief and simple explanations for their short attention span.

School Age to 12 Years of age

Need basic factual information.
Begin to have biological, more rational understanding of death
Concern over death of people they know
Difficulty talking about feelings concerning death
Predominate feelings: Guilt and Anger
Develop facades of joking, unconcerned, etc.
Short attention and tolerance spans in dealing with death

How to Help a Preteen:

Spend time together
Talk about the loss openly
Address concerns of how this disrupts their life
Provide structure and predictability
Be prepared to deal with anger, encourage physical activities
Respect the individual’s timetable
Use creative methods to discuss the loss

Parent Resources

Below are some referral resources for counseling, support groups and mental health providers.

CISD Kid Chat for student safety and well being concerns after school hours.
1-888-543-2428

Positivity Project

Positivity Project is a school wide 24-character program to empower our students to build positive relationships and become their best selves. This program allows children to become aware that every one of them has all 24-character strengths and provides the foundation for genuine self-confidence grounded in self-awareness. At the same time, it helps children better understand why everyone is different and how to appreciate those differences.