Stop and Think: Video Series Empowers Students To Make Better Choices

Published January 9, 2024

A Fairview Elementary school counselor is encouraging her students to stop and think, and the district is encouraging others to embrace the concept as well.

Whitney Chambers-Woods wants to give students one tool they can use no matter what age they are or the stage of life they are in, so she reached out to the WCS Communications Department to help her create a series of videos to benefit her students, their families and others.

"I had a mentor who constantly asked her students, 'did you stop and think?'" Chambers-Woods said. "How simple is that? Then, as an educator with a degree in music, I decided that if it had rhythm, motions, movement and was fun, perhaps it would stick for a long time. After changing jobs and districts, I still get emails and evidence that this concept is working. It withstands time."

Carol Birdsong, WCS Executive Director of Communications, says the district appreciates Whitney’s passion for this project and initiative to get it done.

“The Communications team is always excited to work with staff on ideas that will benefit our students and families,” said Birdsong. “Whitney is a natural on camera, and her messages are relatable and relevant to all ages.”

Her project, which targets kindergartners and their families, shares what school counselors do in their students' classrooms. Chambers-Woods’ goals for the project are time, efficacy and parent inclusion.

"As educators, we believe that intentional partnerships with our students' families create the greatest impact on learning," she said. "It is also my hope that when everyone speaks the same language, such as 'stop and think,' at home and at school, then we are force multipliers as a partnership."

Additional videos will be released throughout the school year and will be on the elementary school websites.

"My scripts are directly from lessons I have taught in classrooms," she said. "Some of the topics include Trusted Adults, Asking for Help, Practice vs. Perfection and more. The list goes on and on. I aspire to leave the same legacy as my parents, as they were both dynamic educators and humans."