I’m Laura, a school counselor with more than 15 years of experience. In 2017, I was honored with the title of Elementary Tennessee School Counselor of the Year.
My passion is to foster empathy among children through the use of picture books. My therapy dog, Boss, has inspired me to continue his legacy and share just how powerful and “pawsitive” animal-assisted therapy can be.
Follow along with Brooklyn—and her puppy, Boss—to learn about focus, perseverance, and the power of understanding your brain.
My Brain Is Like a Puppy, written for children ages 4 to 8, uses rhyme and humor to teach young readers about their brains, how to navigate challenges, and the power of perseverance, compassion, understanding, and empathy.
A ready-to-use small group counseling curriculum to help PK-3 students overcome separation anxiety and build confidence and independence at school.
Inside, you’ll find:
This workbook will equip you with everything you need to do just that! Teach crucial skills like planning, time management, and goal setting in thirty-minute lessons for small group instruction in grades 2-9. It’s flexible, adaptable, and requires minimal prep time!
Inside, you’ll find:
Results Report to share with interested parties
10 Complete Lessons with ASCA® standards
Comprehensive Action Plan
Permission and Completion Letters to send to caregivers
Attendance Logs
Pre- and Post-Assessments for program effectiveness
Great ideas, tips and tricks?
A great picture book?
A small group curriculum or book companion?
Want to see where I am speaking next or want me to come to you?
Your month-by-month roadmap for meaningful counseling lessons, creative programming ideas, book recommendations, and practical strategies for the entire school year.
Stop scrambling for ideas. The Ruff Guide helps you plan ahead with engaging lessons, seasonal activities, read-aloud suggestions, and school counseling ideas designed to make your year easier.
What’s Inside:
✔ Monthly lesson ideas from August to June
✔ Book recommendations connected to counseling topics
✔ Seasonal programming ideas for your counseling program
✔ Classroom lesson inspiration
✔ Creative activities you can use right away
✔ Tips to help you stay organized all year long
Why I Love a School Book Swap Hosting a book swap has become one of my favorite school-wide events to promote literacy, foster a sense of community, and just to see kids smile: There are few things I love more than sending students home with a book they chose themselves. A school book swap is…
Recently, someone asked me for ideas for running small groups, and it got me thinking about all the different ways I’ve used groups over the years. When many of us picture a small group, we think of a counselor-led intervention that meets once a week for 30 minutes and follows a structured curriculum. There’s certainly…
In my latest blog post, I’m sharing five strategies that help students generalize skills across settings, including partnering with teachers, using visual supports, involving caregivers, reinforcing skill use, and gradually transitioning support.
Read the full post to discover practical ways to help students move from practicing skills to actually using them when it matters most.
Books for Navigating Childhood Challenges
Students thrive when they know what to expect. We often think about routines in the classroom, during schoolwide activities, or in small groups, but structure can be just as important during individual counseling sessions. A predictable session routine helps students feel safe and comfortable. It also keeps sessions focused and efficient, making it easier for…
Whether you’re teaching social skills, academic habits, or career exploration, one thing remains true: students learn best when they’re actively engaged. The most effective classroom lessons aren’t just informative—they capture attention, build understanding, provide opportunities to practice, and encourage reflection. If you’ve ever felt like students were physically present but mentally somewhere else, this simple…
Pawsitive School Counselor 