Tim Garland

Background

About Tim Garland

April, 2023) This year I have chosen to elevate my work in the profession of school counseling by moving to the middle school level. I've observed that going upstream will help me help younger students and their families as we navigate learning and life together. Personally, I have also elevated my self-care to prepare to be a helper, showing empathy, and being a great neighbor. Over the past two years, I have grown to understand that it is so important to bring your authentic self to the arena. Meaning, I want to be who I am at heart and belong to my family, my employer, my colleagues, my students, my fill in the blank. Belonging requires knowing that my heart and mind are aligned as I care for, engage with, and serve people. This doesn't happen in isolation, but rather requires a team approach. It is, therefore, my desire to bring my empathy and servant's heart to whatever team I'm on and help to empower and positively impact the team. The trust that is formed will also hopefully pour back into me as we go about our work together. This helps me be a better husband, father, son, and friend on the personal front. It also affords me opportunities to touch lives in more meaningful ways, allow for young, passionate school counselors to rise to leadership, and have time to support and coach my peers in the school counseling profession. The goal, now, is to practice self-care and be able to influence and elevate school counselors who are in the arena. The big, other area, is to support mental wellness through the instruction of Youth Mental Health First Aid. The goals of this work are creating awareness of mental health challenges and providing resources. The idea of hospitality services in the way school counselors and other school staff operate is a major driving force for me. I strive to help student and parents experience school in a way a cast member might assist a guest at a Disney Park or a care giver at an assisted living facility. My role as a school counselor is to help students with academic, career, and social/emotional success. The goal is to help students learn to learn and prepare for a sustainable life after graduation and do this with kindness and dignity. Mr. Rogers had it right imploring people who are going through trauma or other life challenges, to look for the helpers. When one looks for the helpers, they find help and they find hope. I choose to be a helper who sees the individual heart of a person. Will you be my neighbor!