Advisor Review for Sandy Palmer December 2013 Sandy and I met to discuss her advising responsibilities as one

aspect of her substantial evaluation. Currently getting to know a new group of seventh grade advisees, some who are new to the school, Sandy is engaging in her advisor responsibilities with an organized, dedicated approach. The necessity for attention to detail, while certainly not the most rewarding aspect of advising, is still an important one. In order for students to be organized and the program to run smoothly, there are many advising tasks in middle school that require consistent and capable execution and follow-through such as attendance, form distribution and collection, and reminders for special schedules or programs. Sandy is dependable, reliable and efficient with all of those tasks. In fact, some of her advisees specifically mentioned that organizing the paperwork tasks was a noted strength of Sandys. However, the most salient skills that a person needs to have to be a competent advisor are to enjoy the company of adolescents and want to help them take advantage of the opportunities for success that Newark Academy offers. Since establishing herself as primarily a 7th grade teacher and becoming more integrally involved in the development of the 7th grade program through team meetings and co-period activities, Sandy has become a more effective advisor. She is more aware of the full range of 7th grade abilities and personalities and has a greater repertoire of ways to help them move toward individual success. As a result, she is able to advise students from a more individual perspective rather than from a more generalized collective view of 7th graders. The move from upstairs to the middle school office has also been a key factor in Sandys progress as an advisor. Being physically present in their space allows for connections, the teachable advising moments, and casual conversation with 7th graders. Those informal relationships are critical as a foundation for trust and respect to develop between advisor and advisee. It is clear that for several of her advisees that foundation has been formed as they say they are comfortable speaking with Sandy about a variety of topics. Her advisees comment that she is open and friendly, calm and caring and easily approachable. The advent of the second advisor group day in middle school has also fostered more meaningful contact time with advisees. Sandy has found this helpful in not only coalescing

her group into a more cohesive one, but also in the opportunity to have individual conversations with an advisee about his/her progress and to get to know them better beyond the classroom teaching relationship. The total effect is greater connection between advisor and advisee and between advisees who may not socialize with each other in any other context. Seventh grade advising is not an easy task. I appreciate Sandys willingness to engage at this grade level, to continue to gain perspective on the vagaries of young adolescents and to help them chart their own course for success. Sincerely, Carol Carol Spooner School Counselor