Student Assistance Services Counselor Teresa Porath has some encouragement for youngsters in the form of her new book “Morgan and the I Can’t Monster: My Mindset Matters.”
As an SAS counselor, Porath, who covers Jordan, Milam, Zavala and Travis, meets with students who are at risk so they have a chance of making it through school.
In addition to students who are at risk of not graduating from high school, Porath also counsels students at risk of self harm, who have been abused and all McKinney-Vento students.
“‘Morgan and the I Can’t Monster’ teaches young readers that thoughts have power and play a critical role in the way people cope with life’s challenges. Readers watch the I CAN’T MONSTER gain power as Morgan becomes sad and frustrated when attempting new or difficult tasks,” the Amazon description says.
It asks if Morgan will give up her fixed mindset or strengthen her growth mindset to conquer the “I Can’t Monster.”
The book was published in mid-April and is available on Amazon, but she would like to get it into big box stores, as well. The illustrator is Luana Bran from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Ellie Visitew, a friend of the family, helped create the monster.
Porath and her husband, Adam, have two children, their daughter, Morgan, who is 4, and Jonathan, who is 5. She is from Willows, Calif., and he is from Houston. They live in Midland.
The book’s main character is based on her daughter.
She wrote the story in about a day, but editing and getting the monster just right drew it out.
The I Can’t Monster was something Porath had used in therapy for years. She said if elementary students can develop a growth mindset and understand how their thoughts influence the way they feel and influence their behavior, they can be better prepared for life in junior high, high school and adult life.
“Learning how to manage conflict, learning how to communicate … there are so many skills that you don’t get out of your standard curriculum at school,” Porath said.
A licensed professional counselor, Porath is in her third year as an SAS counselor with ECISD and was at Wilson & Young Middle School before attaining her current spot. She was with Centers for Children and Families for about two years previously.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from San Diego State University and a master’s in counseling from the University of Arkansas.
Her favorite part of creating the book was watching the characters come to life.
“The internet and social media has changed everything! In years past, I never would have been able to work closely with someone living on the other side of the world via Zoom. I’ve learned everything I needed to know about starting my own publishing company via Facebook and Instagram. I avoided social media for a long time, but it can actually be very useful. It’s … been rather fun collaborating with people I never would have had the chance to know before,” Porath said.
She added that she has had a lot of support from friends and family and many beta readers.
“… One main person who has been holding my hand and helping me to figure out how to start my own publishing company is local Odessa resident, Rosie Talley, author of ‘Linus the Troll,’” she added.
“So many things came together to make this happen. I have greatly appreciated the support from my family, friends, district, and community, “Porath said.
Asked if she has another book in her, she said her son has already asked where his book is. She chose to use a girl because she said a lot of social-emotional books have boys as the main voice.
“I want to have some representation for a little girls, too …,” Porath said.
Coordinator of Social Emotional Learning Amanda Lopez said they are very proud of Porath’s hard work, determination and perseverance in writing the book.
“We admire her for dreaming big. It is a wonderful resource for caregivers and children and we are honored to have her as a counselor in ECISD,” Lopez added in a text message.
