The Manor Schoolhouse Foundation is proud to support educators who go above and beyond. We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Kristen Turpin, the School Counselor at Oak Meadows Elementary, who exemplifies excellence in education alongside her extraordinary dog Hank, who brings love, joy, and empathy to students.
In our conversation with Mrs. Turpin, we learned more about her work, Hank, and the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation-funded Social-Emotional Learning Lending Library they use to support students. Mrs. Turpin has dedicated her 15-year educational career to Manor ISD, taking on various roles, including teaching, social work, and her now-favorite role—school counseling.
Three years ago, Hank joined Mrs. Turpin in her mission to provide therapeutic support to students after they completed the Texas State University Animal-Assisted Counseling Program. Together, they underwent extensive training, evaluations, and supervision to ensure safety and the implementation of best practices. Both Mrs. Turpin and Hank proudly consider Texas State their alma mater, and the students at Oak Meadows Elementary think it’s amazing that their beloved friend Hank is a “college graduate.”
Read on to hear from Mrs. Turpin about Hank and how the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation grant enhances their work through the Social-Emotional Learning Lending Library!
Hank is one very popular guy! Can you share more about his involvement with students?
When Hank is at school, he is an integral part of the work we do together. Hank is my counseling partner and we create and implement interventions that include Hank supporting the social and emotional needs of the scholars we work with. In addition to one on one work, Hank loves when he is invited to classroom presentations (he ALWAYS has questions for the speakers), he receives many letters from scholars (he ALWAYS writes back), he loves to be an award for scholars or classes who have worked very hard to achieve a goal (he ALWAYS loves to celebrate) and most importantly, he is a non-judgmental and four-legged friend that creates connection among the scholars, staff and families. Hank has been described in many ways at Oak Meadows, but his favorites include: “He is the best coworker I have ever had,” “Hank helped me to forget about my surgery,” “He is my best friend,” “He is magical,” and “He always makes me feel better when I see him.” Hank and I could share more but he doesn’t like to brag.
Can you tell us about the social-emotional learning lending library?
The SEL learning lending library was created by social worker Katie Lewin of the Whole Child department and was generously awarded grant funds by the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation. Ms. Lewin did research on books that included a wide array of topics such as anxiety, grief, friendship skills, patience, mindsets, diversity, and poverty, and curated a list of books for school counselors to “check out.” The idea was brilliant, as it allowed all school counselors access to books we did not have. Hank and I utilized this grant to borrow books and used them to enhance the work we did with scholars. It was easy to find a book that matched what our scholars needed and using bibliotherapy enhanced the impact we were able to make. Combining a book and the non-judgmental presence of Hank created the perfect combination for a scholar to realize they are not alone in their identified experience.
How did the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation's support help the library?
The Manor Schoolhouse Foundation supported this by believing in the concept and choosing to fund the idea. Without the support of MSF, the library would not have been created, as it would have been cost prohibitive. Not only did this grant allow for the books to be purchased but combined with the idea of it being a “lending library,” all elementary schools are able to participate, making the impact that much more significant.
What has the student response been like?
At Oak Meadows, Hank and I were able to find books in the Lending Library that matched just what we needed. When the books arrived and we previewed it, we were excited to find that it was just right for what we needed. The students found comfort in being read to, or if preferred, being able to read to Hank. Student feedback included “I see myself in this book,” “I didn’t know other people felt this way” and “Hank is a really good listener.”
What do the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation’s innovation grants mean to you?
The Manor Schoolhouse Foundation innovation grants are invaluable. They allow educators to think outside the box, allow ideas and dreams to happen and let us be creative with how we educate our students by taking away the financial barrier. I have written many grants over the years and as I strive for my scholars to feel valued, seen and heard, MSF does that for me by celebrating and supporting my ideas. MSF recognizes that as educators, we truly know what our scholars need to impact their learning and educational journey. Thank you so much for believing in us and the work we do!
