Greetings to all students and families. My name is Mr. Burk and I am our schools Professional School Counselor. I obtained my Bachelors Degree through Washington State University and my Masters Degree through American Public University in professional school counseling. I am fully licensed and credentialed through the State of Idaho and have almost 20 years in the mental health industry. My core principles are centered upon student relationships, trust, culture, confidentiality, social/emotional learning, and skill building. I am here to assist in any way possible and encourage any student or educational stakeholder to contact me for help or guidance.
Counseling Links, Lessons and Activities Below
Throughout the school year I deliver grade specific social/emotional lessons to our students utilizing the Character Tree curriculum. These lessons include video components, guided discussion and focused activities. Lessons are designed to engage students, foster resiliency, build self-confidence while respecting the culture and individualism of each student.
Character Tree Lessons:
log into https://charactertree.com
Enter sburk@tribalschool.org into email box
Enter eagles into the password box
In addition to the Character Tree curriculum I will be
adding links to resources that parents/guardians can
utilize to prompt healthy discussions, foster hope and reassurance for students below.
Google Classroom Code:wgoi32i
Flocabulary Lessons: Enter code Q7P3WN
Resources for students:
1. Helping kids cope with their worries: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-to-help-kids-cope-with-their-worries
2. A video about Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) https://www.counselorkeri.com/2020/03/14/talk-to-kids-about-coronavirus/
Conflict Resolution
These three videos are from The Olive Branch. Each one shows how two characters compromise when they have a conflict. These clips do not have any dialogue and are perfect for starting a discussion.
Cyber Safety
Digital Footprint by Common Sense Media
Self-Esteem
Kid President is so fun! This one is a pep talk for teachers and students.
This video is great for an upper elementary girls self-esteem. It focuses on body image. Dove has a lot of great resources for this topic.
Growth Mindset
These 5 videos are designed to be played in order. They tell the story of Mojo, a monster who wants to give up because he doesn't think he is smart. It is created by Class Dojo and is super cute. Class Dojo also has other video series inlcuding mindfulness and empathy.
Sesame Street also has a ton of great videos for explaining character traits. This one is a fun Bruno Mars' song about not giving up.
Bullying Prevention
This video clip teaches students to be upstanders instead of bystanders. It is from The NED Show which has lots of character education resources as well.
These two videos are for upper elementary or middle school. They are more extreme but have a powerful message.
This video is for older kids and features internet celebrities sharing the impact, both good and bad, that our words have on others.
Determination
This video is about a bird who tries to climb up a mountain. Even though he has setbacks he stays determined.
One Thousand Steps Starts with One
Cooperation
Here is another awesome one from Sesame Street! This one is great for Kindergarten and other little ones. Warning: It will get stuck in your head for days!
Sesame Street: That's Cooperation
Kindness
This Pixar short film doesn't have any dialogue and is perfect for starting a discussion about kindness. It can also be used to discuss friendship, bullying, and social skills.
Here is another great one from Kid President! These 20 things are funny yet meaningful that both adults and kids can relate to.
Kid President's 20 Things We Should Say More Often
Empathy
This video features real kids sharing their thoughts on empathy. It is perfect for upper elementary students.
Anxiety / Stress
This one is from Sesame Street too. It is a music video teaching kids to belly breathe featuring Common and Colbie Cailliat.
Feelings
This video has a cute song for younger elementary students (Pre K and Kindergarten.) It is great for feelings recognition.
Movie clips from Disney's Inside Out are great for discussing feelings. I especially like this one for observing how Riley's emotions change throughout the day. I have also used it to discuss The Zones of Regulation with students.
This clip is great to discuss grief. Riley feels sad when she thinks of an old memory. Students can then discuss memories of a lost loved one or pet.
Self-Control
This one is from Sesame Street too! Cookie Monster has to practice self-control for a game show.
Following Directions
This one is so fun! Students love dancing around to it. They have to think fast and listen carefully to directions.
Students love the Minions! This funny video shows different clips of Minions breaking class rules. I play it during the first session of a counseling group when we are establishing group rules. There are also seasonal variations of the song!
Resources for Parents:
1. Managing anxiety and stress for adults https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fcoping.html
2. Mental Health resources https://mhanational.org/covid19
3. Making a new home routine while schools are closed https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/schools-closed-how-to-make-a-new-home-routin
If in an immediate crisis, call 911. If you, or a friend, need to talk with a counselor for help or need resources available in your area, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (anytime 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255)