My name is Mrs. Kathy Naranjo and this is my fourth year as Guidance Teacher at Lincoln/Montessori School. I teach guidance lessons and activities to K-4 students to help them develop their personal, social, academic and career skills. I teach all the grades during their "Specials" time on Fridays.
The Kindergartners have learned "Skills for Social and Academic Success" through the Second Step program published by the Committee for the Children, featuring the puppets 'Smart Snail', 'Impatient Puppy' and 'Be Calm Bunny'. DUSO is a dolphin puppet who visits regularly also to help in Developing Understanding of Self and Others. The first and second grade students piloted a new curriculum entitled Character First Education learning how different animals exemplify desired character traits. All of the lessons are excellent, but one of my favorite is Compassion. We learned how zebras huddle together so that their stripes blend and the predator can't tell where one zebra stops and the other start. Zebras also take care of the weak and wounded. They do not desert them. We pledge to 1) Notice when others are hurting. 2) Stop to help. 3) Take time to listen. 4) Do what I can do. 5) Be kind, regardless of differences. Third graders read the book The Energy Bus for Kids by Jon Gordon and created a journal. They also did lessons and activities from Making the Link Between School Habits and the World of Work. Fourth graders learned how to stand strong and be resilient through lessons from the Why Try? curriculum. They also began Career Camp to become aware of different career possibilities and to continue developing a responsible work ethic.
We are nearing the end of the school year and I want to thank you for the privilege of working with your child(ren). Next school year, I am cutting back to 4 days a week (I'm nearing that golden age!), so I will not be assigned to LN/MO. I will miss the students and staff, but a very competent and energetic counselor will be teaching your children guidance lessons! In the meantime, you can contact me at kathynaranjo@npsne.org, send a note, or come by in person. I am at Washington School (402-644-2557), Monday - Thursday, and at Lincoln/Montessori (402-644-2550) on Fridays.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer!
Mrs. Kathy Naranjo
Guidance Teacher/Counselor
