My name is Archie Baggett and I will be your eighth grade counselor for the 2009-2010 school year. I am looking forward to another great year at River Trail Middle School and hope that you are as well.

I believe that:

Your parents are your strongest ally and support and if you can work with them, then you will be a happier, more successful individual
You can learn to solve problems and situations that come up in your life at home, school, with friends, family, teachers…but it is a learning process
You are unique so there is no pre-determined plan for success that works the same for everyone
You have the ability to be successful; you don’t necessarily always make choices which contribute to your being successful (same as adults)

My role as your guidance counselor:

Help you learn skills that work for you in the areas of
- Communication
- Problem solving
- Academics
- Working with others (peers, teachers, parents, others)
- Whatever else comes up
Listening
- I try not to give advice, but sometimes it just happens
Understand “your side” and help you understand the “adult” or “other” side so that you might resolve situations in a positive, constructive manner
Other
- Get people involved in order to keep you or your friends safe
- It’s been a LONG time since I have been surprised by an issue that a student might have

The great majority of my time working with students is spent on academic issues (improving grades, studying more efficiently, time management...). Most of the suggestions offered come from what I have seen work for other students. A smaller portion of my time is spent working with students on dealing with issues that are causing stress in their lives. This includes students who are having trouble at home, with a teacher, friends, or others at school. As you get to know me you will learn that I am a great believer in YOU and your ability to determine what will make your life better. I also believe that by practicing good communication you can solve the majority of your problems, sometimes with adult help and other times on your own or with your friends. I also believe that in almost all cases, your parents are your greatest resource and support. I will encourage communication with your parents and, if needed, help you to learn how to effectively communicate with your parents.

For parents, most of you want your children to be responsible little adults, just like you when you were 13 and 14 years old. As we get older, our memories become skewed and selective. Having worked with eighth graders for the past 15 years, I may be able to help you better understand how the young adolescent mind works and ways that you can work with your child. There may be ways that you can learn that your child really did more than "nothing" (typical response to question, "What did you do at school today?") while at school. I also work with your child to see things from an adult perspective and often times act as an "interpreter" for students ("kid speaks" vs. "adult hears" or "adult speaks" vs. "kid hears").

As I stated in the beginning, I am really looking forward to this school year and getting to know you. Hopefully, I can help you make this one of the most successful school years that you have had, academically and with your parents, friends, and teachers.