Professional Partner of the Month: February 2008
Linda Thompson
"When I consider Linda's philosophy on working with the children and families from our school, the word ‘No’ comes to mind. Linda never takes ‘No’ for an answer from anyone when it concerns helping a child. She is a true advocate for the children in our school. She will do whatever it takes to help a child."
- EdithAnn Fella, First Grade Teacher, Northern Lehigh School District
"Over the past couple of years, Linda Thompson has made a big impact in helping children from the Lehigh Valley area. We have been attempting to get more kids from that area involved in our programs, and Linda has consistently sent us referrals for our Challenge and Friend Programs. She does a great job of following up with her children and making sure they are getting the services they need."
- Karen Zawitkowski, Program Director, The Second Mile
"Linda has her finger on the pulse of all the kids in the building. I don’t know how she keeps track of them – she comes in and works with each child who needs it, then individualizes a plan that works for that child."
- Marshelle George, Kindergarten Teacher, Northern Lehigh School District
"Linda believes all children can develop an understanding of choices and responsibility, and she helps children develop this sense. She’s always looking for creative ways for children to develop self-esteem, whether through art, various types of play, or by spending time with caring adults – she knows there’s not just one way."
- Karen Nicholas, Principal, Peters Elementary School, Northern Lehigh School District
Linda Thompson works assiduously to serve children, families, and colleagues at Peters Elementary School in the Northern Lehigh School District, where she has served as a school counselor since 1990. Prior to her work at Peters, Mrs. Thompson taught elementary school and also worked as a family counselor. For all her efforts, and for the diverse skills she brings to her job in improving the lives of others, we recognize Linda Thompson as The Second Mile’s February Professional Partner of the Month.
Linda’s road to working as a school counselor at Peters Elementary included a couple earlier stops. After graduating from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, Mrs. Thompson taught in the Prince George’s County School District in Maryland, followed by stints in the Upper Darby and then Lower Merion School Districts in Pennsylvania. She spent her last year as a classroom teacher in the Brandywine Heights School District, then began graduate school at Kutztown University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Counseling. Temporarily retiring from the public schools while pursuing a three-year clinical study certificate in family counseling from the Family Institute of Philadelphia, Linda began working part-time with families as a therapist-consultant for the Lutheran Home of Topton, Pa, while also being home with her young children. When her kids moved on to secondary school, Linda returned to elementary school as a full-time counselor, armed with many different perspectives and experiences that she brought to her work.
Talking with any of Linda’s colleagues yields many stories about her dedication, kindness, and caring for her community. EdithAnn Fella, a first grade teacher at Peters Elementary who has worked with Linda for over 15 years, describes Linda as having a knack for identifying underlying causes for children's moods, behaviors and academic difficulties, and an even greater knack for finding ways to help with these issues:
| | "She is a wealth of information, which I often find myself tapping into to help students in my class. She can very easily access the resources of outside agencies in our area to enable our school to provide more help and learning experiences for our students. Over the years Linda has been instrumental in organizing donation drives of clothing for children in our school who were in need, and food for the local food bank. A few years ago a grandmother, who was raising her grandchildren (students at our school), had all of the children's Christmas presents stolen. When Linda learned of their situation, she quickly organized a donation drive. It didn't take long until her office was filled with clothing, toys and books for the children donated by our faculty and staff. Linda donated many items herself." |
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Marshelle George, a Kindergarten teacher at Peters, summarizes what Linda means to her school by using a quotation by Fred ("Mr.") Rogers: "'In every neighborhood, all across our country, there are good people insisting on a good start for the young, and doing something about it.' Peters Elementary is that 'neighborhood,' and Linda Thompson is that good person."
The Principal at Peters Elementary School, Karen Nicholas, further illustrates Mrs. George’s sentiments with the story of how one year Linda actually wrote the script for a play, and then led the production of it, having the children perform and inviting their parents to watch. The whole undertaking was very successful, and meaningful to everyone involved.
A diversified approach to helping children and families seems to be one of Linda Thompson’s themes. What is effective for one child may not necessarily be effective for another; hence the need to individualize plans at times. Linda tends to also have a holistic approach to working with children, paying attention to all domains of the person, from mind to body to spirit. Whenever possible, she wants students to be a part of the plan, and she really listens to what they say – as well as what they’re not saying - and puts these things together. Linda enjoys working one-on-one with students with typical counseling needs, like those having a rough time transitioning from one grade to another.
But she also involves herself in organizing and overseeing five programs serviced by local agencies, as well as doing group work and taking on a variety of other roles. In her own words:
| | "Often I am asked by teachers to run class meetings. Last year I created the ‘Get Along Club’ in a second-grade classroom. We met weekly throughout the school year. Each year I run counseling groups for a small group of children. Group work is extremely satisfying because you can see the cognitive growth and emotional health gained by the students over the course of the school year as they learn to express feelings, identify their problems, and feel supported by new friends. Being able to work with parents is also worthwhile. Although I don't provide therapy or counseling to the parents, having a clinical background in family systems has lent itself to helping parents as they navigate through a myriad of parenting issues. Foremost I see myself as the child's advocate in school and make certain that all of the students know who I am and how to self-refer. It is not unusual for even kindergarten children to tell their teachers that they need to talk with me." |
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Add to this her annual meetings with second grade teachers to nominate about eight to ten students to The Second Mile's Challenge Program, students who otherwise would never have an opportunity to attend overnight camp. These nominees are the youngest to attend the Challenge Program and Linda writes, "It's gratifying to know that this outstanding program is available for them through middle school." If all these endeavors weren’t enough, Mrs. Thompson also created the "Bigs and Littles" Program, pairing high school students with Peters elementary students that Linda identified as benefiting from interaction with an older student. This program became very successful, both in terms of its popularity, and in how many younger children had various emotional needs met through their interaction with their "Bigs." The program was recognized as one of the recipients of WLTV's Education Now success stories in the Lehigh Valley.
Linda’s work doesn’t stop with the children and families with whom she interacts; in fact she makes impressions that are just as strong and positive on her co-workers, due to her kindness and caring. Marshelle George started back to teaching after 17 years at home, and cites Linda as one of the most welcoming people at Peters upon her return. Edie Fella offers another example, recounting a recent story:
| | "I was diagnosed with breast cancer last June. Over the summer months I was treated with chemotherapy, with one of the side effects being hair loss. Linda kept in touch with me throughout the summer, calling to check how treatments were going and just helping to lift my spirits. I had discussed with her how difficult the hair loss was even when I thought I was so prepared and willing to accept it. Linda did the most wonderful thing for me. She thought up the idea of having a surprise "HAT" party for me. Several teachers from our elementary schools were invited to her house and they all chipped in to buy me a huge assortment of wonderful hats to wear. We had such a great time. It lifted my spirits and helped me to cope with that phase of my treatment. Her concern and caring reached far beyond just the children in our school. I know this story isn't about how she helps the children in our school, but I love telling it to people because it was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me." |
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Where does Linda draw all her energy from? Clearly, she loves her job, and she says her colleagues are a big part of this. "My principal and the teachers with whom I work are friendly, caring, and dedicated. Working with children aged 5 to 8 presents its challenges, yet as a team we have been successful." These same co-workers know that Mrs. Thompson is motivated by seeing her students succeed, adjusting well to their circumstances – no matter how difficult they may be - and just by smiling. With two grown daughters pursuing careers out of state, Linda Thompson lives with her husband, Jeff Thompson, MD, and their Old English Sheepdog, Riley.
Whether working with youngsters on an art project, or finding services for them to help promote their emotional or academic needs, Linda Thompson always keeps an eye out for the children and families in the Northern Lehigh School District. For all her hard work, and for all she does to improve livesWhether working with youngsters on an art project, or finding services for them to help promote their emotional or academic needs, Linda Thompson always keeps an eye out for the children and families in the Northern Lehigh School District. For all her hard work, and for all she does to improve lives in the Lehigh Valley, The Second Mile is proud to salute Linda Thompson as its February Professional Partner of the Month!
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