2020 Annual Conference

Elementary
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors
Career Development
Mental Health Awareness

The goal of this session is to provide information to Professional School Counselors, Counselor Educators, Supervisors and Counseling Students concerning the various steps that are required to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia.  Participants will receive detailed information regarding the associated educational, internship, supervision, application and examination requirements. Obtaining this licensure will provide counselors with additional opportunities to increase mental health awareness to all stakeholders.

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Rural Counselors
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Professional School Counselors can serve, lead, and inspire students, staff, and parents by connecting stakeholders to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), mindfulness, and mental health supports.  Understanding how trauma can impact learning and behavior, as well as, prevention and intervention practices are essential components in reaching today's students. Teaching SEL, resiliency, mindfulness, and good habits promotes healthy bodies and minds and benefits all students. Learn best practices and strategies to make positive connections in your school.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness

Unfortunately, many school leaders and community members do not view school counselors as professionals who are uniquely qualified to address the mental health needs of students.  With increasing demands on their time, school counselors find themselves in conflicted positions of spending more time on academic and career domains while struggling to meet the increasing needs of students presenting mental health concerns.  This session will focus on the school counselor in a multi-tiered continuum of care that involves working collaboratively with other mental health resources.  Attendees will learn about involvement of Apex counselors and best practices for utilizing outside providers as a resource for supporting students.  

Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Career Development
College Readiness

Let’s talk about What's New Now in Dual Enrollment:
What’s new from the legislative session and HB 444
How does the new Funding Application change our Best Practices ?

Let's talk about all this and more !

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
School Administrator

Academics/Academic Achievement
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Parent/Community Engagement

Resilience, grit, perseverance – three words that both educators and parents agree can make a difference in a student’s success.  Resiliency also impacts how students deal with emotions and positively impacts their ability to cope with mental health issues.   But how do you teach it?  And how do you get parents to land their helicopters and join you?  This program will provide educators with the materials that empower parents to focus on resilience building skills.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Mental Health Awareness

Creative and expressive arts in counseling provides a platform to promote self-awareness and personal growth in a variety of ways.  This multimodal approach may include art, music, theater, and dance. This interactive session will provide an overview of creative and expressive arts in counseling and leave participants with a multitude of ideas for arts integration into their counseling practice and programs.

Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students

In supporting LGBTQ students, counselors often have good intentions, but struggle to be meaningful.  We are frequently unsure of what to do when situations arise or we are consulted.  How can we be confident and intentional? Participants will examine an LGBTQ Student Action Decision Making Model. They will then review a professional development created for middle school teachers to support a transgender student.  Participants will then look a real life scenarios and apply the model.

Middle

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning

Our students are moving through a world where most social interaction is done through a device. In this session, we will discuss how overexposure to technology affects the relationships students have with their peers. We will list ways to promote positive socioemotional behavior to our students. 

Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

"Life's most urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Martin Luther King, Jr. 

As of June 2020, America's schoolchildren have experienced an unimaginable shift-Covid-19 pandemic, forced remote learning, and an explosion of race relations kindred to the days of the 1960s. 

As if the epidemic of anxiety in high school was not already mind-blowing, students were forced to cope with school closures, uncertainty and limited safeguards in place. 

This presentation addresses the struggle between student and anxiety and dares to provide session participants with data, techniques and best practices.  

Elementary
Middle

Issues in Counseling

Counselors spend most days focused on supporting students and staff handle their stressors. Given the pandemic we all experienced, effective strategies are certainly needed to support all our clients. Additionally, counselors need preventative and intervention strategies to combat the vicarious trauma they face. We will utilize research to explore best practices for supporting our students and staff while learning to practice effective self-care regimens for ourselves. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Mental Health Awareness
Principal/Counselor Relationship

With Georgia becoming a hotspot for human trafficking, school professionals having a better understanding of the trauma that surrounds victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and its impact on their academic, behavior, and self-identity is crucial. Schools having awareness of how to identify victims and provide the appropriate resources, crisis interventions, and/or preventive practices are equally important in protecting our youth from sex-trafficking and further sexual trauma.

Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Rural Counselors
Social Emotional Learning
Parent/Community Engagement

This presentation will provide to Counselors details of their opportunity to assist “at risk youth,” ages 16-18 in thier schools/districts, who are in need of a structured residential program that will develop the intellect and elevate the character of these young people. The GaYCP is one of the best alternatives to Inspire  young people to become Servant Leaders.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Career Development
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Information Technology
Principal/Counselor Relationship

Join Laura Ross, ASCA 2020 SCOY, for an audience directed "ask me anyhing" session. Laura leads a recognized ASCA model program (RAMP) at Five Forks Middle School that is student driven, data informed, and proactive in supporting ALL students in their academic progress, social-emotional development, and college/career readiness. Highlights of the FFMS program include strong admin-counselor collaboration, culturally repsonsive work, proactive counseling lessons and school-wide programs. Come with questions for Ms. Ross to answer. 

Middle

Social Emotional Learning
Principal/Counselor Relationship

Professional School Counselors are in a wonderful leadership position to support and serve students who are suspended from school.  The counselors and the school principal of Hull Middle School in Gwinnett County collaborated to develop an innovative program. In this workshop, strategies and social emotional learning tools will be provided to help students who are suspended in and out of school.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Issues in Counseling
Mental Health Awareness

Counselor roles and responsibilities continue increase causing professionals to experience feelings of being overwhelmed, anxious and stressed.  The code of Ethics for the American Counseling Association (ACA: ACA, 2014) states that counselors should “engage in self-care activities.”  This presentation will discuss the ethical implications for self-care and highlight self-care strategies.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

Student Services personnel are deeply involved in the culture and climate of the schools they serve. This presentation will provide insight into the definition of culture and climate, strategies, and interactive activities to Student Services Personnel (school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists) to improve the overall school climate and enhance the school culture. We will delve into the roles and responsibilities of Student Services Personnel in improving the culture and climate in schools as well improving their Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. 

Secondary

College Readiness

Are you attempting to keep up with the Dual Enrollment changes while also attempting to educate stakeholders about the changes? If so, then this session is for you. With the increased interest in Dual Enrollment and the changes that House Bill 444 has outlined, participants in this session will learn best practices for implementing the changes while encouraging Dual Enrollment participation.

Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions

Academics/Academic Achievement
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness

What do we do when the outcome data is “okay” but the students are not?  Do you have students who are making good grades in rigorous courses, as well as attending and behaving.  Even so, they are not alright. They are stressed, anxious, or depressed. This session will focus on (1) discovering and showing the need; (2) strategies that are both proactive and responsive, serving all students and giving targeted interventions.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Come learn how we are working to improve cultural intelligence at our school! From involving families/our community, offering varying programs for students and offering in-service workshops for faculty- we know the importance of CQ and we want to increase it for all.

 

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement

Data is a term that can be frowned upon if you cannot understand it. Data is a tool that can change the trajectory of a comprehensive program. Counselors use data to drive their Comprehensive School Counseling Program and collaborate with school leadership. This presentation will show you how to build a successful data-driven CSCP, provide several examples of strategies and interventions that work, as well as provide tools to help you create your program. 

Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Rural Counselors
Career Development
College Readiness

YouScience can be a powerful tool in exposing students to college and career opportunities.  Through using the career interest and aptitude results, we have created college and industry tours, which have engaged students in planning for their future.  Come hear our story and get some ideas for your school to help you serve, lead and inspire your students to achieve their full potential!

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Graduate Students
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

As a school counselor there are several hats that must be worn daily. How do we manage this and still be effective for our primary stakeholder? It's time to regroup and refocus to get back to the passion that brought you into the field of school counseling. This presentation will provide resources and strategies for effectively managing your time while efficiently navigating your role as a professional school counselor and maintaining a comprehensive program. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students

How important is site supervision to the school counseling profession? Often, school counselors are asked to take on the role of site supervisor with little to no support offered to meet their training concerns (DeKruyf & Pehrsson, 2011;Uellendahl & Tenenbaum, 2015). Without adequate training, school counselors may struggle to address the supervision needs of their interns (Herlihy, Gray, & McCollum, 2002). Learn how to inspire school counseling interns through leadership and service in supervision.

 

Elementary

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Social Emotional Learning

For TWENTY-THREE STRAIGHT YEARS…calling all BOOK-A-HOLICS!  We’re celebrating 23 years of school counselors using fantastic children’s literature to enhance our counseling programs!  The self-proclaimed President of Book-A-Holics Anonymous is back to bring you dozens of children’s books as well as ideas for using them in your counseling program in this practical and fast-paced workshop!  With a complete bibliography of books arranged by subject, you will leave with LOTS of ways to become a Book-A-Holic yourself!

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Presenters will review the key factors on the Manage component of the ASCA Model and share examples of how to utilize these tasks to be a leader in your school through your comprehensive school counseling program.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Academics/Academic Achievement
Career Development
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Information Technology

When school was cancelled in March, countless counselors were unable to present much needed content to students, including information about college and careers. Join an experienced, data driven counselor and explore new resources that will make transitioning your traditional college and career fair to the virtual world. Counselors will learn how to use technology tools to enhance this already special event. Learn how to plan a Virtual College and Career event...just in case!  

Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
Post-secondary/Admissions

Academics/Academic Achievement
College Readiness

With the passage of HB 444,  the dual enrollment program continues to change and there are new regulations in place.  GSFC has created a new DE funding application where students, high schools and college can all work transparently.  So many changes in such short time frames.

Please join GaDOE, GICA, GSFC, TCSG and USG - all in one place to discuss the ins and outs of dual enrollment.  Our dual enrollment students are affected by the policies and procedures of each of these agencies. Become a more informed dual enrollment counselor with all the latest updates !

Elementary
Middle

Academics/Academic Achievement

How to nclude small groups in a jam packed day. Lesson ideas that are quick to plan and meaningful to deliver. 

Elementary

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Graduate Students
Social Emotional Learning
Parent/Community Engagement

"99.3% of teachers report that their Kids Hope USA students improved in academics, attendance, behavior, and attitude."  Imagine the impact one child will have with one caring and highly trained mentor for one hour each week.  As class sizes increase and budgets decrease, fewer adults are capable of connecting with students in order to make a positive immediate difference.  Through Kids Hope USA, mentors are matched with individual students for additional emotional and academic support.   

Elementary
Middle

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Information Technology

Creating a comprehensive school counseling program can be daunting. Come see how we approach this task from start (needs assessments and data review) to finish (student lessons, general school support and parent engagement). You will learn how to use technology such as S'more, Google Apps and YouTube as well as good old fashioned “get up and move activities” to build a comprehensive program to serve your school's needs and inspire your students. 

Elementary
Middle

Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Every classroom has students who have experienced trauma from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may intensify a sense of distress for all students, but especially those with trauma. During uncertain times of remote learning, how can schools create positive childhood experiences to mitigate the impact? This session discusses how educators can integrate foundational social-emotional learning and trauma-sensitive practices into their online teaching plans and interactions with students.

Elementary
Middle

Social Emotional Learning

No Place for Hate® is an initiative of the Anti-Defamation League offered free to schools. No Place For Hate® provides a unique framework to incorporate new and existing programs with one consistent message. No Place For Hate® can help your school foster a culture of respect and create a safe, bully-free learning environment for students at all grade levels.

Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Academics/Academic Achievement
Career Development

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a clinically sound and ethical treatment for adolescents based on research. Dr. William Miller designed MI while working with clients suffering from substance abuse to solicit change talk empowering the clients to control their own lives. In a study of nine PSCs in middle and high school shared stories of their experiences  using MI with their students. The results suggested MI is an effective technique for middle and high school students.

Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Issues in Counseling
Mental Health Awareness

There has been a need to discuss suicide prevention in schools for awhile now. This paper discusses different authors' strategies for suicide prevention programs and the research on schools already using a suicide prevention program. Many authors discuss the importance of suicide prevention in schools, because of the prevalence of the teen suicide rate today. Throughout the paper, multiple authors discuss research on suicide prevention programs and how school counselors play a role. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Career Development
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness

African American girls face a multitude of issues that can inhibit their academic, social/emotional, and career development while in the K-12 environment.  School counselors can play a vital role in advocating with and for this population, while inspiring them to reach new heights. This presentation will highlight factors that contribute to “pushing out” African American girls and will primarily focus on putting forth practices and strategies for uplifting and inspiring them toward overall success.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

Counselors will use dissagregated data to find at risk groups and gaps. The creation of a well-rounded advisory council will be discussed, how to showcase data, results, and time study to drive a comprehensive counseling program. Use these components to reduce non-counseling duties!  Includes tips to be RAMP ready.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Issues in Counseling

Advocating for all students requires understanding and responding to current issues that impact students, schools, and the community.  This session will focus on strengthening advocacy skills, focusing on local, state, and national events and concerns that impact students, addressing barriers to advocacy, and building stakeholder partnerships.  The GSCA lobbyists, Nelson Mullins, the GSCA advocacy chairs, as well as legislators, will be on hand to shed light on the 2020 legislative session and prepare us for the upcoming 2021 session.  Use your newly-developed advocacy skills and knowledge to serve, lead, and inspire!   

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Academics/Academic Achievement
Career Development
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning

Counselors have multiple requirements and high demand to deliver comprehensive programs, despite high ratios. We have developed a powerful vertical teaming initiative which helps deliver some counseling program services at the elementary and middle levels and allows for high school leaders to utilize leadership and service skills. In our presentation we focus on how creating this partnership benefits students at all levels, how to develop collaboration, and what capacities student leaders assist with program delivery.

Middle

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Career Development
Social Emotional Learning

Interactions between adults and students often escalate due to a lack of healthy relationships and de-escalation skills. This leads to social and emotional fires that school counselors are often called to put out. Preventing fires helps students become school, career, and life ready. 

In this session, participants will learn tips on how to advocate for their role, an introduction to stress and trauma, de-escalation skills, and preventive initiatives for improving school behaviors and climate.

Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
Post-secondary/Admissions

Academics/Academic Achievement
College Readiness

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Principal/Counselor Relationship

This presentation focuses on what school counselors can do to develop a mental health friendly school environment, improve cross-communication amongst school colleagues, and support identification of at-risk students. 
Using my experience as an educator, the lessons I have learned from my brother, and my personal experience overcoming depression & anxiety, I offer staff a new perspective on suicide prevention based on connection and empathy.  We all have the ability to help others decide to stay.

Elementary
Middle
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors
Social Emotional Learning
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

Building Academic & SEL Groups Through a Data Driven Approach will enable participants to analyze the impact of state and local data trends, SEL Core Competencies, and the alignment of ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors.

Participants will:

-analyze SEL and academic needs 

-review research-based strategies

-identify group profile criteria 

-explore progress monitoring software 

-develop a plan for individual student conferences to administer, access, and interpret data

-analyze grows/glows of outcome data and results 

 

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent

Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Student anxiety continues to be a growing concern in our schools. Many times, we find ourselves implementing interventions that just don't seem to work.  Using the book, Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents as a guide, this workshop will provide the audience with concrete and usable strategies,  including an outline for a parent book study. Given currently rising levels of anxiety and uncertainty, finding effective ways to help both parents and children is more important than ever.  

Elementary
School Administrator

Principal/Counselor Relationship

This session will present information on how to develop a strong counslor-principal partnership.  Ways to serve, lead, and inspire your school community will also be covered along with why  having a comprehesive school counseling program is important from a principal's preseptive. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Information Technology

Whether this is year one, three, or thirty, school counseling trends are always evolving and progressing. Join two experienced data driven counselors as we explore some new and time-tested practices and resources that will make transitioning into your school counseling role a bit easier. New and returning counselors can greatly benefit from the professional recommendations that this presentation will provide participants..

Elementary
Middle

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Career Development
College Readiness

Learn innovative ways to promote College and Career Readiness in your school whether in person or through remote learning platforms. From holding a Wax Museum of Careers to recruiting multiple guest speakers, from virtual scavenger hunts to managing 70 first graders on a Microsoft Teams call, this session will leave you with plenty of ideas to implement in your own program.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling

Are you ready to RAMP? Are you working on your Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) application or thinking about applying but not quite sure how to start? Join us for RAMP CAMP and get valuable help with your application. Your facilitators will guide you through the application requirements, the RAMP process, and review the new 4th edition changes to the application. You will gather tips from RAMP reviewers and experts about how to approach the process, how to collect data and how to submit your school counseling program through the online portal. Attendees will receive a copy of the new RAMP rubric. Get ready to RAMP! 

Elementary

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors

This session will provide new and experienced elementary school couselors with low budget ideas on how to assist in getting school counseling programs started, favorite resources, and sample programs on a wide variety of topics. This comprehensive session will provide counselors with tips on how to get support, access to printables, lesson resources, ideas for conducting groups and classroom lessons, online lesson planning and resources, digital real life lesson examples, and so much more.

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Career Development
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning

As School Counselors, we aim to create a positive influence in the lives of our students, staff and community at large.  This presentation offers a brief overview of Servant Leadership and its key principles.  Ideas will be shared of how it can be implemented in your daily practices as a School Counselor and how you can teach your students the qualities of servant leadership.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness

School counselors are trained in skills and theory, however they commit to daily tasks and duties which may prevent them from implementing counseling interventions in a traditional setting. School counselors also play an integral role in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches skills which may alleviate barriers to student success. This session addresses merging the Comprehensive School Counseling Program and MTSS while integrating DBT Skills training as a Tier 1 support.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning

In light of our national climate and culture, it is imperative that all educators, particularly school counselors, do our part to equip students with the tools to not only be successful but to move our country in a positive direction. This session will focus on how to lead and advocate for a multi-tiered system of support for anti-racism in your school.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Academics/Academic Achievement
Social Emotional Learning

The social emotional development of children is impacted significantly when a parent is incarcerated. Children with incarcerated parents have lower self-esteem, a reduced sense of self efficacy, and higher rates of various physical and mental health problems. The impact of incarceration differs among children and adolescents; therefore, school counselors must be cognizant on the various ways to provide support. Come LEARN how to provide SUPPORT to children who have experienced the incarceration of a parent.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Academics/Academic Achievement
Career Development
College Readiness

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “We cannot build the future for our youth—but we can build our youth for the future.” In preparing our students for the 21^st century workforce, you can learn to seamlessly integrate a STEM framework and mindset into your school counseling program. This is a time where we must equip all students for a complex and rapidly changing world to better prepare them for post-secondary success including those traditionally underrepresented.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Issues in Counseling

Middle
Secondary

College Readiness

In this session participants will learn strategies to help support undocumented students with their post-secondary plans. Participants will receive information on creating a safe environment, the post-secondary process, scholarships, and legal policies and implications affecting undocumented students as it relates to college access.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Social Emotional Learning

With the increased emphasis on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), school counselors are met with the challenges of how to effectively implement SEL program interventions that inspire systemic change. How can school counselors ensure that SEL efforts produce measurable and effective outcomes? In this session, the presenters will showcase the planning, process and successful outcomes that one school counseling program experienced as a result of intentional SEL alignment with the ASCA National Model. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Principal/Counselor Relationship

In a recent study, schools counselors felt they needed to be doing more to assist students with socio emotional and mental health issues in schools. Both principals and school counselors discussed obstacles for providing this needed assistance - especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation will discuss ways for school counselors to advicate for their ASCA-defined roles in providing social emaotional and brief mental health counseling for their students with the principals' support.

Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors
Career Development
College Readiness
Parent/Community Engagement

Professional school counselors are uniquely positioned to advocate for students with disabilities (those with an IEP or 504 Plan) by collaborating with special educators, college disability support services offices, and parents/families to promote college readiness.  Session attendees will learn about the who, what, when, where, why, and how behind a large, demographically diverse, suburban high school’s first Transition to College event, coordinated by a high school counselor and the local school’s special education department.

Elementary
Middle

Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Come learn how one elementary counseling program provides students with opporunities develop problem solving, collaboration, and leadership skills while addressing school concerns. Attendees will earn how to develop a data driven student leadership program that focuses on students' voice, social responsibility, and advocacy to reduce office discipline referrals and improve school climate. This interactive session will explore how we can use diverse historical leaders to inspire students to be change agents within their school. 

Elementary

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling

Particpants will learn how personal experiences with bullying influence responses to incidents of bullying. Using vinettes of real events describing physical, verbal, and relational bullying, participants will uncover which form of bullying teachers were least likely to intervene when compared to school counselors. What is the missing link? Is it perception on what is bullying or lack of anti-bullying/harassment training? Participants will learn how to develop a anti-bullying program.

 

Elementary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Social Emotional Learning

Have you ever wondered how much more positive the school climate would be if there was culture of kindness? Would bullying behaviors decrease if students and teachers responded with pro-social behaviors? How different would the environment of learning be if the normal school-wide response was a pro-social one? In this training we will discuss lining up counseling instruction, school-wide inititives, and small group counseling with pro-social behaviors to target discipline.  

Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Graduate Students
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

First-year counselors and graduate students, this session is a one-stop shop to undertdaning the importance of creating a healthy relationship with your adminstration; as well as implenting a comprehensive school counseling program. The goal of this session is to learn the steps I took to: advocate for a comprehensive school counseling program, build a strong realtionship with my adminstrators, and understanding the culture and climate of my school community.

Middle

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Career Development
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Parent/Community Engagement

COVID19 threw the world into unchartered waters that none of us were prepared for. Never has there been a time where schools closed and parents, students, and educators were forced to conduct business digitally. School counselors had a unique yet vital opportunity to support their students and we had to think outside the box! This presentation will provide middle school counselors with effective strategies for transitioning their program from face to face to online.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness

Counselors can use breathing techniques school-wide to help students regulate emotions and increase focus in school.  The presenters will discuss the On the Same Breath (OTSB) program, a breathing intervention currently being used in schools with diverse populations.  They will provide data from their research study to support the program and give a demonstration so that participants will have an opportunity to engage in the techniques. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors
College Readiness
Social Emotional Learning
Information Technology
Mental Health Awareness
Principal/Counselor Relationship
Parent/Community Engagement

Is virtual school counseling effective, and what can be done to improve it? The CoronaVirus Pandemic forced educators to adapt overnight and continue teaching and learning through virtual platforms. Learn how Forsyth County Counselors from elementary, middle and high school responded as we discuss what worked, what didn’t work, and what we may do differently in the future. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Graduate Students
Career Development

Supervision during the graduate internship process can make or break a counselor-in-training's professional experience. This experiential phase of counselor education is a building block for the student's future practice. By examining current best practices in combination with personal experiences in professional development, prospective counselor supervisors can ensure that they create a learning environment in which they may serve, lead, and inspire the future of the school counseling profession through effective and meaningful supervision. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Deployment. Permanent Change of Station. Separation and Reintegration. The educational experiences of many military-connected students are often complex and shaped by these three distinct transitions which sometimes present social/emotional stressors that are unfamiliar to civilian school counselors (Cole, 2018). In this session, attendees will explore military culture, examine the impact of military transition on student social/emotional development and highlight ways in which school counselors can lead the way in serving and supporting this unique population.

Middle
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling

On the road to implementing a comprehensive school counseling program?  Looking for insights and ideas to ensure greater impact in your building? Whether you are just beginning or have years of experience, this session is designed for you! Get ready to walk through the ASCA model, focusing on practical tips to define, deliver, manage and assess your program. The session will also include varied interactive opportunities, equipping participants with tools to serve, lead and inspire.

 

 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
School Administrator

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Traumatic events such as pandemics, natural disasters, poverty, abuse, or the death of a caregiver can significantly impact a student’s success at school (Perfect, Turley, Carlson, Yohanna, & Saint Gilles, 2016). Without proper intervention, trauma can have a lasting impact on a student’s development and trajectory in life. The purpose of this presentation is to define types of trauma, identify how trauma impacts student learning, and explore the implementation of trauma-informed interventions within school communities.

Elementary
Middle
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Academics/Academic Achievement
Social Emotional Learning

Students with stressed brains cannot learn. Educators must accommodate for this and help students feel safe and loved. Fortunately, there are things counselors can do RIGHT NOW to impact the culture of schools.

These strategies don't cost much money or take up much time. They are common sense strategies to help ALL students feel belonging at school, build student-teacher relationships, encourage a calm environment and reduce stress so that learning can happen.

Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions
Nearing Retirement/Retired

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Consent isn't as simple as yes or no, and a better understanding of consent helps students combat the risk of sexual assault. Representatives of Defend Innocence will help you gain practical tools for students of all ages as you learn more about the different facets of consent. Community leaders will walk away with a new perspective on consent and free tools to teach both students and parents how to practice consent in productive ways. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students
Rural Counselors
Principal/Counselor Relationship

To be seen as team players and to maintain harmony, school counselors often say yes to non-counseling duties without realizing the cost to the students they serve. Attend this session to see if you have Nice Counselor Syndrome (NCS), to explore the motivations behind NCS, to identify the obstacles to overcoming NCS, and to determine strategies that help move beyond NCS so that students can fully benefit from your work as a school counselor.

Secondary

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Today, all school counselors need to address this new crave that's getting our children's attention. The Vaping Epidemic is fast becoming the mood changer and even silent killer for many of students. This can be happening in your school or community.You will be surprise as to how widespread this vaping behavior is and how this recreational drug is no fun at all. Counselors should increase their awareness, be an agent of change, and then inspire. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Academics/Academic Achievement
Issues in Counseling
Social Emotional Learning

All students deserve access to a high-quality education that promotes social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD). However, several barriers limit this access and can have lifetime repercussions for marginalized youth, especially Black youth. As our nation continues to grapple with racial equality, the physical and mental consequences of discrimination and racism experienced by the vast majority of Black children constitute a moral crisis in American education. Confronting educational inequities is necessary to enhance SEAD in Black youth. 

Secondary
Independent
Post-secondary/Admissions

Issues in Counseling
College Readiness
Parent/Community Engagement

This session provides tools for high school counselors to work more effectively with students impacted by issues surrounding immigration, including under- and undocumented statuses, as they pursue post-secondary education. School counselors working in high schools and community organizations, as well as a former student, will share concrete strategies, up-to-date resources, and practical methods of advocacy through advising and school counseling programming to support college access for students from immigrant families.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator/Supervisor
School Administrator
Post-secondary/Admissions

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Graduate Students
Information Technology
Parent/Community Engagement

Trying to reach more stakeholders? Trying to collaborate with little to work with? Being able to make your program visible with different tools like podcasting and a counseling website will give you an advantage to growing your visibility. This session will be great for you to enhance the visibility of your school's counseling department as well as connections for professional development with other professional school couselors across the state. 

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent

Comprehensive School Counseling Program
Issues in Counseling
Career Development
Mental Health Awareness
Parent/Community Engagement

Many of our students of color are roses tasked with emerging from concrete. They must endure  challenges and stressors faced by all plants plus the harm that accompanies interactions with practices and policies in social groups/institutions designed in opposition to their well-being.

In this interactive session participants will explore ways to lead efforts that transform concrete to fertile soil that supports life affirming pathways and improves well-being for Black students and other students of color.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Comprehensive School Counseling Program

School Counselors are essential members of the instructional team. A cornerstone to a comprehensive school counseling program is the delivery of quality counseling instruction in the classroom setting. In this session, participants will learn to align their classroom instruction delivery with subject area curriculum maps, rituals & routines of an existing classroom culture, and common classroom management techniques. Say goodbye to "We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming," and hello to, "We proudly present quality instruction!"

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Issues in Counseling
Mental Health Awareness

School counselors are integral in improving self-efficacy and the health of others. Balancing self-care and professional care is often a challenge for school counselors and other helping professionals. Due to ethical, emotional, and mental implications it is incumbent school counselors are aware of the importance of identifying and maintaining self-wellness. The purpose of the presentation is to provide an overview of counselor wellness, best practices of maintaining wellness, and strategies to establish a work-life balance.

Counselor Educator/Supervisor

Tools for working smarter, not harder
Mental Health Awareness

Join district supervisors and coordinators from around the state for collaborative learning focused on how we can best serve, lead, and inspire the school counselors in our districts.  The supervisors from one district will share what they have implemented to increase morale and connectivity amongst school counselors in their district.  Come prepared to network with other supervisors and share your own best practices in supporting and advocating for school counselors.  This session is specifically for district-level school counseling supervisors and coordinators.  

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

Mental Health Awareness

Narrative Therapy helps individuals tell and retell their story; as they retell their story the individual is able to re-author, or reframe, their life story. This presentation will provide creative Narrative Therapy techniques to help youth who have experienced trauma construct new, strength-based stories and facilitate their personal agency.

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
School Administrator

Principal/Counselor Relationship

As education professionals, we have seen the data on how the schoo counselor and principal relationships is vital to student success.  The next step is putting this information into practice.  This will be a working session that will help facilitate the purpose, blueprint and effectiveness of building a strong school counselor and school principal relationship. Be prepared to share and exchange best practices.