Picture 1: A teacher sits across a desk from a student in a classroom. Mister Wesley, the teacher, is a white man with short blonde hair, glasses, and a small beard. He wears a blue polo shirt. Jules, the student, is a 15-year-old Black girl in tenth grade, she has shoulder-length black hair and wears a purple shirt.
Mister Wesley: So, Jules, good to see you.
Jules: Yeah, uh, thanks for taking the time.
Mister Wesley: Of course, always happy to chat. Anyway, in your email you said?
Picture 2: Jules looks down and back to Mister Wesley, nervous.
Jules: Yeah, it's not a big deal, I just, I wanted to see what was going on with, um, making groups in the class. For group assignments.
Mister Wesley nods.
Jules: (clearly flustered) Like, do you have to choose them? Or, or can we choose them? Because, I get maybe you want to "mix things up," but, yeah.
Mister Wesley decides to Check In and says, "Would you be willing to share a little more info with me, so we can figure out the best solution together?"
Jules: (fidgets) Um, well, there's just this person who I don't like being around. It makes me really, really uncomfortable. So if there were some way to like, stop that from happening, I'd really appreciate it.
Coach: Mister Wesley asked Jules if she would be willing to share information and showed he wanted to work with her. She feels he's on her side and there to support her.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and says, "You don't need to say more, but I'm here to listen to whatever you want to share."
Picture 3: Jules takes a big breath and exhales, tense.
Jules: Okay. I, I don't want to get into all the details, but this person and I used to sort of be a "thing," I guess? But then things started getting bad, and bad like, stuff I didn't want to happen happened, so now being around this person is, yeah. Uh, yeah. It's not good. It took a long, long time to stop spending time with this person and, so, I really don't want to spend more time with them on like, something for class.
Coach: Mister Wesley showed Jules he's there for her, and that he won't push her to talk about anything she's not comfortable with. She feels supported.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and says, "Thank you for sharing. I want to make sure you feel safe and comfortable."
Jules: Thanks.
Coach: Mister Wesley validated Jules and her experience. She knows he's there for her.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and says, "You don't have to tell me more if you don't want to. Only what you want to share."
Picture 4: Jules looks relieved.
Jules: Thanks. I was worried about saying something, but, yeah. Thanks. For listening.
Mister Wesley: Of course. Thank you for being willing to share.
Jules nods.
Coach: Giving Jules space to share without pushing her to share helps her maintain control over the process. Mister Wesley was correct to realize he doesn't need more information in order to help her.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and says, "Could I share a little about support options?"
Jules: Sure, I guess.
Mister Wesley: Well, there are different options of people you can talk to.
Jules: Oh, who?
Mister Wesley: I mean, to start with, you can share with people in your life who you trust, and can give you support. I'm not sure if you've told anyone else?
Jules: Um, no, not really.
Mister Wesley: Uh huh. You can also talk with some of the people we have here at school, like in guidance, or someone else you trust here.
Jules: Like I'm telling you.
Mister Wesley: Right. And, thank you for trusting me, telling me.
Jules nods.
Mister Wesley: So, if there are other people you feel comfortable talking with. Then, there are some other people outside the school who can help, like a counselor, religious or spiritual leaders, or other support groups. People who can listen, and connect you with more support if you want it.
Jules: Okay.
Mister Wesley: Some students start with one option, like telling someone outside of the school they trust, and then consider the others afterward. But, in the end, all of this is your choice.
Jules: Um, I guess we could talk about that some more.
Mister Wesley decides to Discuss School Resources and chooses to say, "How do you feel about talking to someone in guidance?"
Jules: Um, I don't know. Miss Kwan is really nice but, I'm still nervous.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and chooses to say, "I get what you're saying. Sharing something personal can be an intense experience."
Jules: I can still do it. I mean, we're talking about it. But, can't ignore how I feel either. Anything else before we, you know, go back to talking about the group assignments?
Mister Wesley decides to Discuss Trusted Person and says, "Along with the support we can offer at the school, who do you usually talk with when you have something on your mind?"
Jules: Oh, um, my friend Ruby, I guess? I trust them to keep stuff to themself.
Mister Wesley decides to Show Support and says, "No matter who you tell, I'm always here to listen to anything you want to share."
Picture 5: Jules relaxes and seems more open.
Jules: Thanks, um, I will. I feel like we've talked through a lot, unless there's anything else?
Mister Wesley decides to Discuss Outside Support and says, "What do you think about talking with a therapist, or a religious or spiritual leader, or other support resources?"
Jules: I don't know any religious or spiritual people but, actually, a friend of mine talked with this therapist after their cousin died and I was like, maybe. But it seems so awkward, and, and I'm not sure I need to do it, you know?