Tosha Todd School Counselor, LPC, Ed.S.

Sunny Pointe Elementary

Blue Springs, MO

ttodd@bssd.net

www.kcschoolcounselorchic.blogspot.com

To Careers Week and BEYOND!

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program Content Standards and GLE’s addressed and taught

Strand CD – Career Development; Big Ideas 7, 8, and 9

Get’s kids EXCITED about their futures!

Concepts: Integration of Self-knowledge into Life and Career Plans Adaptations to world of work changes Respect for all work Career decision making Education and career requirements Personal Skills for Job Success Job Seeking Skills

In my building…fulfills a CSIP goal for career education and growth plan goal

Why Have an Elementary Careers Week?

When is the best time of year to have Careers Week?

Look at building schedule

Determine a “less busy” time of year

I schedule mine in December – do careers lesson in November

When?

Who participates in Careers Week?

At SPE, everyone! Kindergarten – 5th grade

Approximately 580 students participate

Who?

How is Careers Week Organized?

Form a team! You can’t do it alone!

Ask for a volunteer from each grade level so they have input.

Pick a ThemeWhy? It helps FOCUS the events

for the weekIdeas!

To Careers Week and BeyondSTEMYou can be ANYTHINGCollege and Career ReadyOh the Places You’ll Go

Next Step…

Last year at SPE – we did a careers dress up day for the kids and teachers

College t-shirt day

This year we will continue with those two days but we are theming it to follow our kids through their school careers so Monday – SPE day (wear spirit wear)Tuesday – PKMS day (wear purple and white)Wednesday – BSHS day (wear purple and gold)Thursday – College day – wear your future college

clothingFriday – Career Day – dress like your future career

THEME DAYS!

College Spirit Day!

You can do ALL school participation or only certain grade levels

Everything on one day or throughout the week

Lean on your team to help you make these decisions

START SMALL!!!!

How much time do you want to commit to Career Day? (2 hours, 3 hours, etc.) It may look different for each grade level.

Do you need to reschedule lunch shifts, recess, special classes?

If you are going to do an extended time frame, schedule in restroom breaks for students and guest speakers

Organization and Scheduling

This can look however you want – At SPE this is what we do

Each grade level has the expectation of doing a minimum of 2 careers focused activities during the week**

Each grade level has the expectation of having a minimum of 3 guest speakers visit them to share about their career

A grade level representative will send email report to me outlining ALL activities and speakers a week before so we (office staff, administrators, etc.) know what activities will be going on

Expectations for Careers Week

Send potential guest speakers the first informational letter after you have made an initial contact with them through phone or e-mail.

When you have received confirmation, send follow up questionnaire to get more information about them. Also provide them with possible questions, etc. (see attached information)

Make sure you have any necessarily technology available to the guest speaker

Guest Speakers

Things to Consider:

Guests should be able to speak to children at their level

Guests should be able to stay on topicGuests should be able to commit to taking the

time off to participateTry to get guest speakers from all six career

pathsGet speakers from a variety of post-secondary

options

Guest Speakers

Name Tags

Class meeting with students regarding behavior expectations on career day, being good listeners, asking “smart” questions, etc.

Having chairs and desks moved and classroom arranged and ready for guest speaker

Have activities for the week ready

Teacher Preparation

At SPE I…Teach my careers lessons in

November to support what teachers will do during Careers week in December

Provide resources to teachersHELP wherever I need to!Do several bulletin boardsCoordinate events throughout

building

What Does the Counselor Do?

Mystery Teacher

Interactive Bulletin Boards

Career Fair – like science fair – have students or classrooms create a science fair type project on a specific career

Door decorating contest - local university themed or themed differently

Videos

Photo booth

Fun Activities!

If you have the space – do a career fair in the gym or cafeteria

Have each teacher in a grade level secure a speaker and rotate classes for several hours

Make sure you have a variety of careers

Ideas!!!!

Where to find GREAT Ideas!

PinterestYouTubeTeachers Pay TeachersCounselor BlogsA Good Ole Google SearchThe Amazing Resource Guide I have for you!!

Resources!

Now for the FUN STUFF!

Have students and teachers fill out evaluation forms

Send a formal thank you letter from the school to all guest speakers

Have students write thank you notes to the guest speakers as well

After the Dust Settles

RESOURCES

A list of elementary careers resources is

included in your packet

Questions???