Counselor Johnson

Let's talk about your (elementary age) kids and the internet!  Just like the "real world" is a scary place, the internet is too.  The same people that your child could encounter if you let them roam freely in the world, they could meet online as well.  The thing about the internet, though, is that the bad people out there can gain access to millions of kids instead of just a few and they are doing it right under your nose.  While I do still believe that most people are inherently good at heart, we all know that evil exists in the world and as parents you want to protect your children from that evil as much as possible.  Let's talk about some ways you can keep them safe during those times that you need them to be entertained and have handed them a tablet or phone. When it comes to unsafe things online, you can't keep up with the latest scary thing out there because it is constantly changing.  There's always something new.  So, it is important to talk ...

I just returned from the Annual Kentucky School Counselor Association Conference and I'm all pumped up and excited to implement all these new ideas I have floating around in my head.  Do you all get like that, too?  I mean, I just love having the opportunity to network with other counselors and share things I am doing and steal all of their good ideas, too!  I am so thankful that all of our counselors in our district were able to attend this week.  I was blessed to attend while I was living in Florida, too, but it was something I had to ask permission to do and persuade my administrator to let me attend.  I was one of only a small handful that attended each year from our district.  I remember when I first came back home to Kentucky and was setting up my office.  I met the bookeeper and she told me I had a counseling budget (a what?) and that I needed to make sure I set aside money for the conference.  Yes, you guys!  That really happened. ...

Welcome to my School Counseling blog! I love to write and I have lots of stories and opinions to share. People have been telling me for years that I needed to put my thoughts in a blog, because I'm always posting these very long facebook posts, so here we are! I thought I would tell you a little about me in this first post. You can visit my website: www.counselorjohnson.com to find lots of resources that I love to share. My name is Melissa Johnson and I grew up in Kentucky, where I lived until 2014 and I am happy to be returning to my home state this school year! I am originally from Corbin, KY (Home of the First KFC and Cumberland Falls State Park) and lived in that area until I graduated from Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands) in 2000 with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Business & Marketing and Secondary Education with a minor in Psychology. I began my teaching career in Henry County, KY teaching high school business, computer, and finance classes...