setting up a successful advisement program… aka dont make the same mistakes we did martinsburg...

Setting Up a Successful Advisement Program…AKA Don’t Make the Same Mistakes We Did

Martinsburg High School

Martinsburg, WV

Why Implement an Advisement Program

Links students to a caring adult

Creates safe and positive school

environment

Links parents to school

Connect students to school

Why Implement an Advisement Program

Focused curriculum includes career,

academic and personal/social lessons

Provide a smooth(er) transition from

middle school

Prepare students for life after high

school

Don’ts—Things we learned the hard way Introducing the concept to your faculty

One time presentation

No chance for questions

School counselor makes the

presentation

No follow-up in-services

Don’ts—Things we learned the hard way

Dealing with Resistance

Meet with resistance/power

“I’m right and you are wrong.”

Ignore requests for help

Don’ts—Things we learned the hard way

Getting Reluctant Faculty Onboard

Have a school counselor talk to them

Have teachers write/copy their own

lesson plans

Fail to pair with an onboard teacher

Don’ts—Things we learned the hard way

Leave a substitute to their own

devices

Let the program “Run itself”

Meet just once a week

Things to Do

Introducing the concept to your faculty

Summer workshop-department chairs,

other faculty (including resistant

members)

Informal department talks with

administrator

Principal is primary presenter

Things to Do

On agenda at every faculty meeting

Reports from administrators,

counselors, teachers (advisors)

Time for discussion

Things to Do

Monthly training

Before/after school

Staff development days

Department meetings

Evaluations completed by students

and teachers after each session

Things to Do

Dealing with Resistance

Expect it

Do not meet it with defensive

attitude

Give resistant members time to

vent

Things to Do

Revisit the issue with resistant

faculty

Provide ongoing support

Have department chairs, others

speak with them

One on one discussion with

principal (frequent supervision)

Things to Do

Getting resistant faculty “on board”

Group discussion with principal

before training whole faculty

Ask what can be done to get them

Things to Do

Implement “positive support”

programs like “Capturing Kids’ Hearts”

Pair teachers for instruction

Experienced with new

Positive with resistant

Well-written lesson

Easy to implement

Multiple lesson from which to

choose

Website with resources available

Things to Do

School coordinator reviews lessons well in advance to determine if lessons:

require any school-specific forms

should be divided into more than one part

require any pre-preparation on the part of the students or advisor

require any prompts or special supplies

Things to DoSchool coordinator reviews lessons well

in advance to determine if lessons:

suggests internet access to maximum lesson benefits, although all lessons can be delivered without internet access

provide resources for alternate ways of facilitating to better align with the advisor’s teaching style and your particular students’ learning styles.

Things to DoSupport for lesson delivery—

counselor/committee member

Lessons available at least a week in

advance

School/grade level coordinator

Support for substitutes

Advisor’s Role

Have students develop rules

Hold students to these rules

Talk individually with advisees

whenever possible

Keep expectations realistic

Advisor’s Role

Allow group time for discussions and

concerns

Be firm but understanding

Show interest

Be flexible

Be sensitive in choosing your words

Advisor’s Role

Use your own style in presenting

lessons

You will not have all the answers

Know where to go for support

Have fun with lessons; be creative

Evaluate regularly