Counselors share stories of kindness, resilience as students keep physical distance

As K-12 counselors, we want to share some valuable perspective on life “behind the computer” when a school is required to pivot into teaching and learning in an entirely different way. A 20-year veteran teacher noted that what we’re not doing is homeschooling, rather it’s crisis schooling, a distinction which is well worth making.
By Laurie Drummond, LS Counselor
     Helen Tarleton, MS Counselor
     Beth Eberl, HS Counselor
 
One of our primary roles has always been to educate students about the importance of resilience and kindness in the face of adversity. During these last few weeks, we have seen this countless times in the USN faculty, and we want to share a few examples with you:

In Lower School …
we spent a lot of time in February talking about kindness and have heard many stories this week of students being kind to those around them. One that really touched me was a young boy who completed a feelings heart activity that I had shared with LS students, and then also made one for his younger sister so she could share her feelings using a feelings heart too. Being kind to our family is always important but maybe never more than during these times when we are together so much. The seeds of kindness and resilience that have been nurtured at school and in homes are really evident now, (hopefully at least most of the time) and the strong connections between teachers and students will continue even if we are not physically in the same space. This time is hard, but it is also a chance to do some things that may not be part of our normal daily schedule. I got to do a Zoom morning meeting with a kindergarten class this week, and it was an experience I will treasure for a long time! I hope each of you is also finding some unexpected blessings in the midst of this pandemic.
-Laurie Drummond, LS Counselor

In Middle School …
I’ve been fortunate enough to be in some of the morning advisory meetings. Many say the nonverbal aspect of in-person experiences is lost in remote learning, but what I saw in every advisory I participated in was teachers invested in bringing their whole selves to their students. The relationships they developed before Spring Break were palpable in Zoom. It’s in the conversations I am privileged to be a part of where I see resilience and kindness most exemplified: in the giving and receiving of feedback and the grace my colleagues are showing each other around what works and what doesn’t work in our current educational experience. I can honestly say that in every case, those giving feedback have been graciously kind and those receiving it have been remarkably and gracefully resilient.
-Helen Tarleton, MS Counselor

In High School …
Many efforts have been taken to stay connected as a community. Whether by advisory group, sports team, grade level, the entire High School, or friends — each of these check-ins is happening remotely.  

Students kick off their school day by meeting in advisory groups. I am fortunate to have 10 advisees. I truly value the time we have together. In addition to checking in and sharing a highlight from the day before, we take turns posing a task for the day for one another. Earlier this week, we shared baby pictures of ourselves. Last Friday we discussed our favorite books. Sports teams are having regular meetings and workouts. Grade levels are hosting events; this past weekend, the senior class watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for a Saturday movie night.  

People are getting increasingly creative as a way of staying connected and learning more about one another. We had our first virtual High School Assembly organized by Dean of Students Nicole Jules and Dean of Student Life Justin Karpinos. It featured a trivia game about faculty members. Math Teacher Justin Fitzpatrick is conducting extensive student and faculty interviews where we learn more about members of our community. Our Student Council officers are keeping us updated through emails each week, providing welcome information about what’s happening among the student body.  

Standing alone, each of these individual events is wonderful in itself, but collectively it really shows the depth to our desire to connect in meaningful ways. No gesture is too small. I would love to hear how you are building connections on an individual basis as well as a broader community while we are away from campus.
-Beth Eberl, HS Counselor

We are confident there are many stories of resilience and kindness in your homes these days.  We would love to hear from you, and we would love to be a support and resource to you during these days. These kinds of stories bind us together and reflect for us what it means to be a part of USN. They are signals to each other that we matter and we can trust each other to show up with the best we have to offer each other, even when showing up in person is not an option.

We encourage you to contact one of us if you are looking for therapy for someone in your family.  We would love to talk with you and make recommendations we believe will be a good fit for your needs.

Recommended List of Resources for Families
The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. 

A few articles on the value of boredom:

Common Sense Media is a great site for tips on how to talk to children about the novel coronavirus, how to keep kids safe online, fun boredom buster ideas, and more.


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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.