Counselor's Corner

What is Metro Tech's Counselor's Corner?

Vision Statement: All students at Metro Technology Centers are uniquely talented learners who will complete our programs with the knowledge and skills to engage in personal inquiry and growth, practice social responsibility, and maintain academic and career excellence in a diverse and changing world.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Metro Technology Centers Counseling Department is to advocate for all learners through a student-centered, comprehensive, developmentally appropriate program that helps all students to achieve their highest academic and career goals in addition to supporting their personal and social needs. This is accomplished through collaboration with parents/guardians, staff, industry partners, sending schools, and community resources to enable all students to become successful, productive, contributing students and lifelong learners in a global society.

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Counselor Contacts

Counselor Contacts

If you need to make changes to your contact information, phone, or address at any time please contact your counselor. Counselors are available for one-on-one sessions or any other needs.

Kelly Powers

Director, Counseling & Special Populations
Email | (405) 595-2204

Holly Dozhier

Counselor, Business Technology Center, Cosmetology, & Culinary
Email | (405) 595-4706

Leslie Cooksey

Counselor, South Bryant Campus
Email | (405) 595-2206

Michael James

Counselor, Health Careers Center & Adult Aviation
Email | (405) 595-4642

Ryan Patten

Counselor, STEM Center, Early Education, Barbering & Extension Programs
Email | 405-595-4705

National School Counseling Week

National School Counseling Week 2024 is February 5-9. This week is to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors with the U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. Make sure you tell your counselors how much they are appreciated.

National Suicide Prevention Month

National Suicide Prevention Month is September and National Suicide Prevention Week 2023 is September 10-16.

Suicide Prevention Week Dates to Remember:

Monday, September 11th:
Counselors will go into classrooms and also email teachers with self-care tips for improving/maintaining mental health. Students will have the chance to write their favorite self-care tips on sticky notes.

Tuesday, September 12th:
Sticky notes will be made into hearts at each site so that all students can benefit from others’ ideas for self-care.

Wednesday, September 13th:
Making classroom visits to share 988 stickers and Suicide Prevention Lifeline resource.

Thursday, September 14th:
Chalk the sidewalk: Students will be encouraged to chalk campus sidewalks with messages of hope and encouragement.

Friday, September 15th:
Brighten Someone’s Day: Students will be encouraged to take the opportunity to say something positive and uplifting to someone else in person, on social media, text, etc.

How can I spot signs that someone I know might be considering suicide?

While everyone’s reaction to mental health struggles is different, there are many warning signs and symptoms that might suggest a person you know is at risk for suicide — especially if behaviors are new, are happening more often, or seem linked to a painful event, loss, or life change.

Some behaviors to watch for include:

Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
Researching ways to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious or agitated, or behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or isolating themselves
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Extreme mood swings

If you are concerned that someone you know or love is considering ending their life, 988 can help. Call or text any time to get connected with a local operator, who can connect your resources and guide you on how to safely help the situation.

For more information, visit the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Oklahoma Mental Health Facts Mental Health Break Ideas 99 Coping Skills

National Bullying Prevention Month

According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, “Every day, thousands of young people experience bullying from their peers at school, after school in their neighborhoods, and even when they are at home, through social media and texts. There are many ways to support bullying prevention as an individual or with friends, family, your school, or your entire community”. One of the primary strategies for mitigating bullying is to prioritize the cultivation of kindness through strategies such as teach kindness, show kindness, reach out and speak up.

Important Dates to Remember:

November 13th: World Kindness Day

November 24th: Random Act of Kindness Friday

Kindness Ideas

Resources found on stopbullying.gov, being kind can have many different benefits. Benefits may include improved:

Relationships
Social connection
Happiness
Energy
Mental health
Heart health
Life satisfaction
Overall wellbeing

Both performing acts of kindness and experiencing acts of kindness have been shown to decrease:

Stress
Anxiety
Aggression
Depression
Social disconnection

National Brain Tumor Awareness Month

Brain Tumor Awareness Month is dedicated to supporting, empowering, and amplifying the voice of the brain tumor community.

Every May, Metro Tech Counselor's recognize Brain Tumor Awareness Month by encouraging students, faculty, and staff to wear grey on May 22nd in support of STEM Academy Counselor Ryan Patten, who battled a brain tumor at a young age.

For more information and to get involved visit: https://braintumor.org/events/brain-tumor-awareness-month.

Seasonal Information

The winter season and holidays can be a very warming and happy time. However, for many of us, this can be one of the most difficult times of the year. A 2021 survey showed that 3 in 5 Americans feel their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. This can be in part due to Seasonal Affective Disorder. This is a type of depression that is related to the season’s changing and right around this time is when people may start referring to the “winter blues”.

Signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder that are often seen in the fall-winter onset can be: oversleeping, irritability, appetite changes, weight gain, and low energy. If you wonder if you are starting to feel any of these symptoms you should reach out to a doctor or counselor. The specific cause of SAD is unknown, but can be linked to your melatonin levels, serotonin levels, or even your circadian rhythm. Here are some ways that you can take care of yourself this fall: Get more sunlight, exercise, stick with a routine, try to eat more healthy foods, and participate in activities.

Be aware of how you are feeling this season and look out for the signs in those around you too!

15 Ideas to Help with the Winter Blues

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