Inspiring parents in our community: Megan Rentz

Today we are meeting Megan Rentz. Megan is a school counselor at Sopris Elementary in Glenwood Springs as well as the Lead K-8 School Counselor for the Roaring Fork School District. School counselors are such a vital part of our children’s community, so it is a pleasure to get a glimpse of who they are!

Megan, can you introduce yourself?

I am a warm, adventurous southern transplant from South Carolina. I am funny, outgoing, loving, and an advocate for the people and things I believe in. On any given weekend you can find me hiking with my husband and dogs Dexter and Jackson, snowboarding, out on the river in the warmer months, traveling, camping, or backpacking.

How about in the schools, how do you describe your job there? It seems like you have to wear a lot of hats!

School counselors get to do everything – some days are leading small groups. Some days I am spending the whole day with one child who really needs me. As a K-8 Counseling team for RFSD, we are working on prevention through classroom lessons, early intervention, and through working as a team with the parents/families.

The best part of my job is building relationships with students for up to six years, all the memories, hugs, and stories over those years are absolutely precious to me. My first kindergarten class is now in 6th grade, and they still come to visit and stay in touch–it’s such a gift to see past students!

The hardest part of my job is when I can’t get to all the students who need me or when tragedies happen to my students and their families. Aspen Hope Center has been a huge help, especially Paul Hassel who joined me at SES in 2021!

How can parents reach out to counseling services?

The school counselor in any building is the perfect place to start! I love when families reach out to me. I can help with small issues such as feeling nervous to come to school, struggling to make friends, solving an issue with a friend, helping a student work through something that is distracting them in class, or helping a student solve a classroom issue (such as feeling shy, outbursts/tantrums, anger, conflict resolution, self-regulation, etc.)

I can also help with bigger issues such as helping refer students and their families to Paul Hassel or working with outside counselors. We can also work with families and teachers to help solve bigger issues that may happen in the classroom.

Parenting question for an expert – what is your best parenting tip for your student’s parents?

Routines, especially having a bedtime! I am re-learning this as an adult and can attest first-hand to the importance of sleep. Routines can also help manage stress, create consistency, help with predictability (which is helpful for kids!), and set kids up for a wonderful day at school. Also, talking to children about their days can help! They are more likely to share with you when they are having a problem or could use some help. I tell all students how important it is to talk to their parents 🙂

On a deeper level, just like students need to read at home, students who work on self-regulation (emotion management) at home with their parents show stronger skills in managing emotions, conflict, and adapting to everyday stress!

I think of emotional and behavioral growth as skill building. If your child is struggling with an emotion or behavior, early prevention can make a huge difference and can give your children skills that can help them be successful throughout the rest of their lives.

All of those are such good suggestions, and things we need to work on as adults as well. Number one best advice you have been given regarding teaching and loving children?

Relationships come first! When relationships come first, we learn and grow with guidance, support and encouragement!

For me, this also includes modeling for kids by admitting when I make a mistake, apologizing, and “making it right” (a term we use at SES).

Before you go, any other resources that can be helpful for parents?

Roaring Fork Schools uses a program called Second Step for Social-Emotional Learning, Bullying Prevention, and Safety. Focused Kids is an incredible resource for self-regulation. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your child’s school counselor if they have one!

Thanks, Megan! We are going to have Megan back on other topics as well but this was a great start getting to know her!