Miranda Shilling, Counselor at Pacific Rim / Lighthouse Award Winner!
Wearing colorful gardening gloves, a group of fourth and fifth graders at Pacific Rim Elementary School are tending the garden and sampling rainbow chard. (“It’s tasty!”) While their hands stay busy working the soil and planting vegetables, the students are chatting together, intentionally checking to be sure that everyone is included in the conversation. This is the Friendship Garden Club, which relies on the power of peer influence to promote positive relationships and collaboration.
Each week the Kindness Crew meets to brainstorm ideas for activities that would help build a sense of belonging on campus. There is a Friendship Club for first and second graders, and a Pokemon Club. These clubs are examples of several that Miranda Shilling, the counselor at Pacific Rim, hosts on campus to help students experience acceptance, belonging, and engagement at school.
Ms. Shilling was recently selected as this year's Lighthouse Award winner and No Place for Hate Leader, one of eight honorees recognized at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) 2024 Equity Conference. Her award was presented by Rachel Sato of the ADL. The conference featured local experts, nationally recognized speakers, and educators sharing how they implement change at their schools to support all students.
Each month Ms. Shilling conducts engaging half-hour No Place for Hate lessons in each of Pacific Rim’s 27 classrooms, with a different curriculum for each grade. These interactive lessons, designed to help students understand and feel each others’ perspectives, teach about respect, trust, and the harmfulness of unkind words. Second graders may be practicing active listening, while fifth graders may be learning ways to express a difference of opinion in a positive manner.
Holding a green figure cut from construction paper, Ms. Shilling asks, “Students, we have someone new joining our class today. Imagine we are no longer at Pac Rim where the students are kind but we are at Wacky Rim where students aren’t the kindest. What judgements might someone make about this Green Guy?” Students say things like “He's short. He won’t be a good basketball player.” There is a discussion that follows regarding judgment and the hurtful consequence of unkind words. She then asks, “Now how can we at Pac Rim make him feel welcome?”
Monthly school assemblies and a student broadcasting video feature highlights of the students working together within these lessons. And, during assemblies, when an adult says, “It’s not just my school, it’s not just your school,” the students all shout back “It’s OUR school.”
Mrs. Shilling also works to provide professional development for staff members to further promote the No Place for Hate program character traits, and she shares her lessons with her fellow elementary school counselors.
“I am thrilled to be recognized with this award,” said Mrs. Shilling. “But I accept this honor on behalf of the entire Pacific Rim community. Teachers, staff, students, parents – all of us are working together to do this important work. We are learning to get outside of our bubbles and find new ways to teach kindness and respect.”
Mrs. Shilling was nominated by her principal, Richard Tubbs, who stated, “Mrs. Shilling is an outstanding counselor. She is committed to promoting inclusivity, respect, and equity for all on our campus, and, by reaching beyond the confines of her counseling office, she has a tangible impact on all of our students and our school community.”
This year is Mrs. Shilling’s third at Carlsbad Unified. She brings experience in Special Education, reading intervention, and counseling with a variety of student populations. She has three children.
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) presents Lighthouse Awards to honor champions for educational equity in our schools, districts, and communities. “The Equity Conference and Lighthouse Awards reflect our commitment to provide educational opportunities and support to schools and districts so that all students, including our historically underserved students, are successful,” said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “We want to recognize and support those who are doing great work to ensure equity for all students.”
Congratulations to Aviara Oaks Middle School for being designated by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP).
The RAMP designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering an exemplary school counseling program. Honorees are awarded for aligning their program with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, a framework for a data-informed school counseling program. Research findings indicate fully implemented school counseling programs are associated with a range of positive student educational and behavioral outcomes.
“This year’s RAMP honorees have shown their commitment to students and the school counseling profession,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “These schools used data to drive their program development and implementation so all students can achieve success. The RAMP designation distinguishes these schools and encourages school counselors nationwide to strive for excellence.”
Special thanks to AOMS school counselors Joy Vitrano and Emily Foster for their diligent work to implement best practices supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of students.
Stay Connected with ParentSquare
Please download the ParentSquare app to stay updated on all of the news and announcements from your school throughout the year. Click here to learn more on our website.
Download the iOS App - Apple Store
Download the Android App - Google Play Store
Carlsbad Unified School District
Email: cusd@carlsbadusd.net
Website: https://www.carlsbadusd.net
Location: 6225 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Phone: 760-331-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/CarlsbadUnifiedSchools
Twitter: @CarlsbadUSD