Summer of Erika

Anyone a fan of Seinfeld in the audience? I grew up watching the show every night on re-runs with my dad and brother. I can recite most episodes and have probably seen them all at least three times. Well, as summer approaches and the employment hunt underway, I have been struggling to figure out what I’ll do with my summer. I have been torn about getting a summer job as I have had for the past seven years or to take it off in hopes that I’ll have so many interviews I wouldn't be able to hold a job down (or the third option, and most preferred, which is get hired by my current district by the end of the school year and spend my summer doing what I want ‘cause I’m employed with an actual salary).

While I am uncomfortable not working in fear that I won’t find a job (which is false) and will have student loan payments out my eyeballs (truth), I have really been procrastinating finding something to occupy my summer, even part-time. In the end, it looks like I’ll be having a Summer of Erika (insert Seinfeld reference here).

Yes. Yes, I do.

So, what will I be doing with a Summer of Erika? I've been dreaming of this all year as I don’t think I ever really intended on working (but feel super guilty about not). I've managed to compile a list of things I hope to accomplish, both leisure and professional activities. These are things I’ll be doing on my own, for me. I also make a wish list of summer adventures for me and the boy. Can you tell that I’m Type A?

• Read. Read professional books and read some leisure books. Learn to juggle the two at once. Preferably on the beach.
  
  
• Get Crafty I. Make some of those beautiful projects I find on Pinterest. Put some of my favorite quotes on canvas for my office.
  
  
• Get Crafty II. Make coasters for the apartment.
  
  
• Plan. Plan for my first year as a school psychologist. Review Dr. Branstetter’s book. Develop some lesson plans for groups I think I might be able to run given the population of students (i.e., elementary = social skills).
  
  
• Sort. Sort through some of my pins from Pinterest and pick the ones I want to try and use.
  
  
• Educate. Review some of the webinars I have found. Setting a goal of one per week, or eight total.

Now, I am VERY well aware I am going to be bored out of my mind. I mean, who am I kidding; I had cabin fever by hour 36 on all my hurricane/snow day stretches this year. I’m trying to think of this as a time to really psych myself up for the next year. I’ll already be happy to go back to work, but add boredom to the mix and I’ll be super-psyched to be there (play clip here…can you name the movie?)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOga3VZ5CGY

In a final attempt to justify my Summer of Erika, I have done some calculations. My district gets out June 28 and a typical school year begins August 26 (for PD). That gives me exactly eight weeks to do as a wish. I figure that I’ll have one week of bliss, a few day/weekend trips to plan and go to, and I have two weddings in August. So really I’m looking at 4.5 weeks of “nothing” to do and time to accomplish my summer wish list.

I think I’m going to be just fineeee. 

What are your summer plans? Working? Relaxing? Recent grads treating yourself to a fun vacation (if so, I’m super jealous)? Any additions to my own list? Any ideas of places to go with AC (so I don't rack up my own electric bill?)

Until next thyme,

Erika

P.S. Here are some funny comics I found to get us ready for summer vacation! The last one is my favorite.

For my Tweeps!

Right now, I just get July and Aug...the "-ust" is under contract

Social Detective

Thanks to Pinterest I have found so many great resources to use during internship (and beyond), decorate my home (that I don't have), recipes to cook (when I have free time), and cute animals (to "ooh" and "ahh" over).

It has also been essential in preparing for summer camp! A coworker suggested we start a group board since we were all re-pinning the same resources again and again. Thanks to this great feature we have been able to pool our efforts and create a pretty decent array of games, projects, and varying resources to help our population (children who have Autism/Aspergers).

At camp this summer I serve as the Assistant Site Director (ASD). In this role I supervise three groups aged 5 to 9, which includes 13 campers (as of now) and 6 staff members. Also run a social thinking group for two of the groups. There is an additional ASD who works with the 10 to 14 year old at camp. All of these kids are based out of Boston while a second site is based out of a suburb 40 minutes outside Boston at a Reservation. For more info on the camp check out the website.

In the first week of camp my Site Director/Supervisor suggested using Michelle Garcia Winner's book You're a Social Detective as a way to introduce expected and unexpected behaviors. For my first group of campers (7-8 years) we read the first section of the book on expected behavior. We then did a coloring activity to identify their different types of smarts (including Social Smarts!). The kids (and adults) found it tricky but everyone came up with some great smarts.

For my second social thinking group of the week (aged 8-9 years) worked on the same topic with a different spin. The group also listened to the book but worked on both expected AND unexpected behaviors. Following the read aloud the group took part in a scavenger hunt I found along my Pinterest browsing. Campers searched for clues that forced them to identify whether the behavior was expected or unexpected. Based on their response they were led to the next clue. The campers LOVED this activity and demonstrated some great turn-taking and teamwork skills. The activity can be found here.

I'll be brainstorming some ideas for next week's groups and tailoring it to the needs of the group (e.g., whole body listening, safety, etc). Thanks to Pinterest this may be easier than I think :)

Be sure to follow me for resources that will (hopefully) make your group planning that much easier.

Until next thyme,

Erika

My Future Office

Lately I have been thinking about my future office. This is all thanks to Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/erikajohnson88/). I have been collecting various items on my boards, including things I would want to decorate my future office. I thought I would share a few of the things I like.

Paisley Chair
I have no idea where I can buy this, but I love it. Its a little busy, but I find it inviting at the same time. It also has some of my favorite colors (like purple and teal). 

Chalkboard Calendar
The likelihood of my being able to paint on my office wall is slim to none. However, I will find some way to hang a chalkboard calendar, potentially spanning more than one month. 

Fun Bookshelves

I would love some revamped, fun bookshelves to store all of my wonderful resources of school psych goodies.

Paint Chips

A cheap/free way to decorate any space! Lots of ideas on Pinterest to choose from. 

What are some of your favorite pieces in your current office? What do you hope to have in your future office? 

Until next thyme,
Erika