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Breakout Session Details

THURSDAY, MARCH 6
9:30am
Wait! I Thought I Was Just Working with Students: Strategies and Mindsets for Managing Difficult Adults in the Schoolhouse
We are well-trained to meet our students’ needs with counseling and teaching approaches, behavior plans, and evidence-based curriculum. Yet educator-preparation often misses a critical communication partner in schools: THE ADULTS. As veteran and novice counselors learn quickly, a significant amount of our relational work involves working with and for other adults (cohorts, administration, parents). How do we recognize – and then hone our mindsets and actions to support these often-challenging adults so we can embrace conflict and build that critical win-win partnership needed for student thriving?
In this quick session, we’ll share the good, the bad, and the hopeful as Dr. Huson brings some concrete theories and strategies to building strong, adult partnerships on the shared journey of student success. Expect humor, connection, practical next steps, and new learning as we explore how we can better partner in these important adult relationships – because we are in it together, right?

Presenter
Dr. Tammy Fisher Huson


Breaking Down Silos: Integrating ASCA Mindsets & Behavior, SEL, and Financial Education Standards in Tier 1 CSCP
Looking to enhance College and Career Readiness in your CSCP? This session is designed for you! Join us as we present an innovative, multi-domain strategy for planning and delivering Tier 1 CSCP instruction. Together, we’ll explore a crosswalk planning tool that integrates ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors with Washington’s SEL and Financial Education standards.

We’ll also delve into methods for promoting College and Career Readiness through financial literacy using the Student-Led Conference Discussion Prompts on Financial Education. Developed by FEPPP, these prompts create opportunities for impactful, student-driven conversations on personal finance.

Leave this session feeling empowered to support student success by breaking down silos and fostering collaboration and cross-content partnerships within your CSCP team!


Presenters
Amy Kliewer
Maria Muto


Adaptive Attachment: Using Attachment Theory to Guide Intervention
Sometimes, the wonderful and amazing counseling skills you have at your disposal do the trick on the first try. The problem is clear, and the right approach is evident. Most of the time, however, the business of intervention is messy and full of headaches. Those students and families requiring the most of your time and attention are often the most endangered, and consequently they may employ the greatest transformations of information - leading to fundamental misunderstandings and unending conflicts.

This session will teach you the basics of information processing, the science underlying contemporary attachment research. By learning how information gets transformed - namely, emotional exaggeration and inhibition and how those transformed emotions tie into difficult behaviors - we can construct a simple framework that will help you cut through complex situations and choose interventions that address the root of the problem faster. These tools will save time, energy, and headaches!

Presenter
Michael Dunbry


Talking "College in the High School" with Three Universities: What Counselors Need to Know, What Universities Need to Hear
Come 'talk shop' with the program directors of UW, CWU, and EWU's College in the High School programs, which enable high school students to take college courses taught by high school teachers in the high school classroom. A lot goes into these programs - starting with the partnership between colleges and high schools. Critical to this partnership are counselors, who educate and advise students, families, and other school staff about dual credit, including College in the High School. To strengthen these partnerships, university staff will share big picture updates, resources for schools, and insights on what comes next. This session will also feature time for discussion and for counselors to share questions and ideas that can inform how these programs grow and change. Be part of this rare opportunity to talk with counselors from across the state and the directors of the "Big Three" statewide programs all in the same room!

Presenters:
Tim Stetter
Kyle Carrigan
Jennifer Núñez


Navigating the Trail: Thriving with Large Caseloads in Elementary
Counselors often face the task of supporting a large number of students, which can impact the depth of connections and increase the risk of burnout. This presentation offers strategies to address these common challenges, including time management, prioritization, and building resilience. Using real-life examples and research-backed insights, we’ll cover:

  • Understanding the challenges of large caseloads across educational landscapes.
  • Effective time management techniques to ensure every student has a voice on the trail.
  • Leveraging technology and resources to streamline tasks and lighten the load.
  • Creating meaningful relationships with students, even in high-caseload environments.
  • Exploring self-care practices to prevent burnout and maintain counselor well-being.

Presenter
Erin Legg


SEL Harbors in High School: Building Curriculum and a Community of Collaboration
Have you noticed the lack of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons for school counselors at the high school level? Us too! Do you need resources to start adapting lessons for your school? This session will empower high school counselors to create and implement SEL curriculum tailored to their communities.

Participants will collaborate in a work session to map out potential SEL lessons specific to their schools needs. Counselors will join a supportive community of practice for ongoing collaboration, resource sharing, and sustained SEL integration across schools.


Presenter
Christine Nutters
Hope Donato


Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps
Join us to learn more about the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program and the valuable opportunities it offers to students. Counselors play a key role in guiding students toward successful post-graduation paths and understanding the Army ROTC program will help you better support students interested in leadership, service and unique career pathways.

Presenter
Lisa Pirak
10:40am
AI Driven Insights: Moving from Data to Meaningful Change in School Counseling
This session explores how AI can transform school counseling by turning data into actionable insights that drive meaningful change. Participants will learn practical strategies for using AI to streamline administrative tasks, analyze qualitative data, and uncover trends that inform data-driven decisions. We’ll discuss how AI can enhance the creation of personalized, culturally responsive lessons that support SEL and promote equity across diverse student populations. Attendees will also discover how AI can uncover patterns in student feedback, guide interventions, and inform practices that create a more inclusive and equitable school environment. This session equips school counselors with tools to integrate AI into their practice, ensuring a more efficient, data-informed, and impactful approach to counseling.

Presenter
Brett Muskavage


Leading for our Wellbeing: Systems Change to support Educators, Families, and Students
It is critical to mitigate the impacts of stress personally and organizationally so that we can recover our resilience. How can we build resilience through somatic body practices that address nervous system regulation? Be on a guided journey with Dr. Christy Anana to deepen your wellbeing through tools like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or tapping, breathing strategies, and mindfulness. Then, create a plan that you can utilize through your context. Expect to walk away from this experience feeling like you've been on a journey of wellness for yourself. Seeing benefits for yourself with these practices, you will be empowered to create a healing plan for your short-term and long term health and well-being. Feeling more joy in your life is contagious. The people in your life will benefit from you taking self-care steps. Then, share with the people in your life.

Presenter
Christy Anana


MTSS & CSCP: Connecting Support to Student Success
Participant will Learn 5 strategies to communicate how your district CSCP and Career and College Readiness, (at all grade levels) fits into your districts’ MTSS model. As well as will also keep your CSCP systems sustainable in times of confusion and limited budget. Get practical advice for leading your school counselors into continuously working toward the ideal program by identifying gaps, implementing tiered interventions, communicating to stakeholders with positive focused advocacy. Join three district school counselors’ staff with a combined 40 years of experience.

Presenters
Lisa Lucas
Terra McFarlin


Brain Love: Innovative Brain-Based Strategies that Teach Peace and Decrease Behavior Referrals
Now that we know the latest neuroscience, is our school aligning teaching, counseling, and discipline practices to support how the brain operates? Many times, not… but, when we know better, we do better.

This session is the opposite of a “sit and get”, as you will experience simple social/emotional activities based on neuroscience and trauma-informed research. Explore how schools are decreasing their behavior referrals by up to 90% and leave feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and equipped to implement the tools to thrive in your PK-12 setting.

Presenter
Lyndsay Morris


Si Se Puede "Yes You Can"
In this inspirational and impactful session, Oracio Valdez shares his first-hand knowledge of the plight of the immigrant community. You will learn his strategies to advocate on behalf of Hispanics for sound education and public policy. Oracio has presented and shared his story nationally, inspiring families, community providers, and educators with his dedication to helping immigrant students succeed.

Presenter
 Oracio Valdez


When I Grow Up: Career Education for Elementary Students
This session focuses on equipping elementary school counselors with essential tools to guide students toward successful career pathways. Attendees will explore innovative strategies for hosting highly visible and hands-on career fairs, including Careers on Wheels and a District-wide Career Fair, that engages students with a variety of industries and career options. The session will also dive into career lessons and activities that counselors can easily integrate into their counseling programs and schools. Join us in shaping the future, one student at a time!

Presenters
Fondra Magee
Leah Lorimer

1:10 PM
Apply Radical Healing to School Counselor Practice
Radical healing is the process of becoming well in the face of identity-based wounds and trauma (French et al., 2019). It is intentionally developed strategies focused on identifying causes of these wounds and to promote resilience and agency of the communities that are most affected. Identity-based wounds are direct products of overarching systems of oppression (e.g., racism, sexism, xenophobia). School counselors operate on the front line of promoting wellness and advocacy for their students. Within their data-driven programs, school counselors are expected to engage in practices that address overarching systems of oppression (ASCA, 2019). However, these programs have been critiqued for focusing on building coping skills rather than centering the perspectives of their students and subsequent healing capabilities (Levy et al., 2020). This presentation is designed to teach school counselors and school counselors in training on applying radical healing in practice.

Presenters
Jordan Shannon
Lauren Carlos


Empowering the Future: An Elementary School Student Jobs Program
In this engaging and interactive session, we will explore the innovative concept of student jobs programs at the elementary school level. Designed to introduce students to the value of responsibility, teamwork, and work ethics, this program empowers students by providing hands-on opportunities to contribute to their school community.

Participants will learn how a student jobs program can offer age-appropriate tasks that align with curriculum goals while fostering essential life skills such as time management, communication, and problem-solving. We’ll discuss the types of jobs that can be introduced in elementary schools and walk away with a 'blueprint' for how to implement this at your school!

Presenter
Jaimie Smith


24 Tips & Tools to Help Grieving Kids
This workshop is a hybrid presentation. The video of demonstrations and modeling with children is followed by on-site Q&A. It offers 8 themed 45-minute sessions that include 24 interactive games, projects and creative exercises that help grieving children ages 6 to 12 tell their stories and process their grief. The activities presented are favorites with both kids and facilitators as fun and effective "griefwork," while generating therapeutic alliance. They are also very adaptable to the profile of the child or group and to the setting. Participants will receive a handout that provides session outlines with the URLs to free downloadable PDF teaching aids and additional online resources. These include Feelings Cards, Poems, Ground Rules Poster, Toilet Bowl Love and more.

Presenter
Mel Erickson


Pay Attention Please: Reviving Student Engagement Post-Covid
Only 47% of students report feeling engaged in their learning, a sharp decline from pre-pandemic levels. Imagine the impact if all students were excited and engaged in their education. In this session, we’ll explore the reasons behind student apathy, increased classroom management issues, and frequent behavior discipline referrals. Leave with a plan to infuse mindfulness, movement, and leadership opportunities into your school day, so all have the opportunity to learn and thrive.

Presenter
Lyndsay Morris


From Vision to Reality: Implementing a K-12 Comprehensive Counseling Framework
Join us for an insightful session on building a Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) from the ground up. Participants will learn how to develop a robust scope and sequence that meets the evolving needs of students as they transition through grades. We’ll explore the Hatching Results Framework and provide a practical template to ensure all program elements work together for student success.

This session will cover strategies for implementing both proactive and reactive interventions, ensuring comprehensive support for every student. Through collaborative discussions and practical examples, attendees will discover best practices for integrating academic, social, and emotional learning within the counseling framework.

By the end, participants will be equipped with the tools, framework, and templates to transform their vision into reality, enhancing student well-being and success in K-12 settings.

Presenters
Jayde Albright
Tabatha Copeland


Building Future-Ready Students with SchooLinks: Washington District Success Stories
Hear from counselors across the state as they share how they use SchooLinks, the select solution for the Universal HSBP Platform, to foster a culture of college & career readiness in their students and communities.

This panel will highlight strategies for engaging students, guardians, community partners, and district teams, addressing the variety of needs of students between middle school through postsecondary, and ensuring effective vertical alignment. Topics covered will include management of High School and Beyond Plans, course planning, college application management and direct staff feedback on the platform.

Attendees will walk away with actionable advice for ensuring the successful implementation of SchooLinks across counseling teams and creating a solid foundation to impact district-wide college and career readiness goals for years to come.

Presenter
SchooLinks (TBA)


Navigating Financial Aid Advising Day
Financial Aid Advising Day (FAAD) is an opportunity to provide every senior and their family with key resources and knowledge for completing the financial aid application process. In this session, we will discuss FAAD, its requirements, and best practices for implementation. Attendees will leave with customizable resources you can use to support FAAD at your school.

Presenters
Christina Winstead
Sarah Weiss
FRIDAY, MARCH 7
9:30AM
School and Community Partnerships for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
In an era where mental health challenges among students are increasingly prevalent, fostering strong partnerships between schools and community organizations is more crucial than ever. Maximize impact by collaborating with local organizations to reach more students, parents and community members. This session will highlight collaboration between the Peninsula School District School Counseling Program, Key Peninsula Fire Department and other community groups to enhance mental health awareness, suicide prevention and crisis response initiatives in schools and the broader community, including challenges faced and strategies that have worked.
Participants will explore resources and best practices for building sustainable relationships with a range of community partners, strengthening community ties that promote robust support networks for families and students. Join us to strengthen your toolkit for creating a supportive environment for students and to empower your community to work together to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students, families and staff.

Presenters
Becky Maffei
Anne Nesbit


Analyzing Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 Interventions in your comprehensive school counseling program
Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions, also known school wide as MTSS, are the bedrock of your school counseling program. Trying to evaluate your delivery of these interventions can be difficult to navigate while working to comprehend the scope of your delivery. This workshop will teach you ways to analyze and evaluate your intervention delivery, program wide, by taking on the lens of multi-tiered, multi-domain, systems of support (MTMDSS). Through this approach, you will break down interventions implemented in college and career readiness, academic supports, and social emotional domains.

Presenters
Jeff Dennis
Tiffany Frane


Fentanyl: Fake & Fatal
Fentanyl is now the #1 cause of death in America for ages 18-45. The fastest growing age demographic for fentanyl poisoning and death is now 14 years of age and younger. It’s no longer a drug killing addicts, it’s a weapon of mass destruction destroying a generation. Awareness isn’t enough; ending this pandemic of poison is going to take systemic approaches. We have to fully educate our children, parents, and communities about what this poison does to the body. This session will provide true education with a digital curriculum audience members can provide to anyone and everyone in their field.

Presenter
Michael DeLeon


School Counselors and AI: A Smart Partnership
Like a mixed object juggler, school counselors manage numerous activities and student needs. In our diverse and time-crunched days, finding ways to spend more time within the ASCA 80/20 Model and serving our unique students is difficult. Enter Artificial Intelligence beyond Waze and Spellcheck. Learn how to use AI to save time in paperwork and create more unique and individualized options for students. See AI in action and grow your knowledge of terms, tools and skillfully using prompts for better outcomes.

Presenters
Collen Schiller
Stephanie Olson


Servant Leadership: Meeting Student Need Through Self Discovery
Conduct a thorough self introspective about who you think you are as leader, take ownership of what you discover, and do something about it. Strengthen your ability to implement the ASCA Professional School Counselor Standards & Competencies. Learn to your own individual Servant Leadership characteristics and embrace your leadership responsibilities as new and experienced school counselors to better serve students. Learn how to ensure all young people are supported, healthy, safe, valued, and belong while enhancing your school counseling program at any level.

Presenter
Dr. Melvin Fields


A Systems Approach to Belonging Through Ninth Grade Success
Ninth Grade is a crucial year for identity development and future graduation. Students who end ninth grade on track are four times more likely to graduate than off track peers. Join this session to learn a systems approach to offering timely supports through Ninth Grade Success teams. Learn about empathy interviewing you can use to connect relevant supports to the students that need them. And get resources to support your team development. Although this session uses Ninth Grade as an example, the systems work of these teams is applicable at any grade level to offer timely supports.

Presenters
Kefi Anderson
Henterson Carlisle


Breaking the Stigma: Building Effective Support Systems for Youth Mental Health
Join us as we discuss the critical issue of youth mental health and explore how to create powerful support systems for teens. This session will dive into the unique challenges young people face, the process of selecting the right partners, and share transformative insights to better support teens in your schools and communities. You'll leave with strategies to drive change and make a lasting impact on the mental well-being of our next generation.

Presenter
Nolan Tesone
10:40AM
Flourishing in the Face of Secondary Trauma & Burnout
Secondary trauma and chronic stressors are a reality of the work of a school counselor. Addressing this in a proactive way is essential in order to do the work well and to thrive in the profession. This session will explore the concept of "trauma stewardship" and the importance of self awareness in order to be more fully present in our work. The neurobiology of stress, wellness strategies, and the science of post traumatic growth will be addressed. You will leave this session having new understanding about your own stressors, motivated for wellness, and encouraged to know there is potential to grow even in the most challenging of circumstances. This session was a favorite at the 2024 ASCA conference in Kansas City. School counselors from all parts of the U.S. felt it met a real need in their lives and came away with immediately useful information. You will too!

Presenter
Renee' Schoening


The Role of School Counselor as Anti-Racist Practitioner and Social Justice Advocate
School Counselors as central to the role of advocate and anti-racist practitioner.
Participants will be introduced to practical strategies to integrate and lead cultural competency, equity and anti-racism in their buildings. A framework will be discussed that participants can use to creates schools that are safe, inclusive and nurturing of all students. For many school counselors', equity and anti-racism work is done in a silo. This presentation will focus on practical strategies that school counselors can use in deconstructing these silos. The presentation will provide strategies for whole system collaboration, examination of policy, address the needs of the diverse learner and support all who are working with students and families from marginalized communities. The approaches and strategies for action in this presentation will promote inclusivity in the student body, among teachers, leaders and community as we all engage in social justice work.

Presenters
Mary Amanda Graham
Janel Kim
Yvonne Alvarez

Vaping Me Crazy!
Vapes are not just being used by adults trying to quit smoking. Some people mistakenly believe that was the purpose behind its invention, but that is categorically false. In fact, more than 70% of these devices are purchased by youth 20 years of age and younger because kids were actually the intention of this product. This session will prove that. Many of these devices have become drug delivery systems. It is critically important that all school administrators, teachers, counselors, nurses, SROs, parents, and communities know what is happening in this issue. This workshop will absolutely shock those attending. The most current and relevant information is presented in a way where audience members will be able to not only understand the seriousness of this issue, but also be able to articulate it and deliver these facts to their youth, their families, and their communities in informative and engaging ways.

Presenter
Michael DeLeon


Implementing a social emotional workshop program through a comprehensive school counseling model
A counseling program having tier 1 access to a classroom is vital in the formation of a comprehensive school counseling program. When you have opportunities to be in the classroom you want to make sure the delivery fits the needs of your student body. In this lesson, we will discuss developing and implementing social emotional workshops throughout the school year that are targeted to fit areas of potential growth in your current student population. This workshop will focus on issues such as needs assessment, access to the classroom, evidence-based practices, and more.

Presenters
Jeff Dennis
Tiffany Frane


A Child is Grieving—What Can I Do?
One in 20 children will experience the death of a parent by age 18. School counselors may be the only professional support for these children. In this workshop we will discuss the following topics: common child grief reactions with focus on guilt and anger, the importance of control, great questions to ask, and suggestions to help.

Presenter
Bob Baugher
1:30PM
Collaborative CSCP Practices in Small and Rural Schools
Small and rural schools face unique challenges including limited funding for school counseling, smaller counseling teams, and required roles outside of the ASCA model. Collaborating with a district-wide administrative team is crucial to implementing a robust and successful CSCP in a small district. In this session we will equip small-district school counselors to collaborate effectively with administrators and district leadership to enhance their CSCP work.

We will share frameworks for this collaboration including:
Annual program calendars, district-wide data-sharing and transparent school counseling program goals.

After this session, you will better understand how to maintain a quality CSCP while still continuing to meet the needs of your small district. Through partnership with administrators and other educational stakeholders, rural school counselors can provide support in all school counseling domains to ensure high-quality postsecondary outcomes for students. Get ready to share your ideas and use work time with the provided frameworks.

Presenters
Stacey Rawson
Heidi Youseph



Empowering School Counselors: Integrating Student Advocacy and Substance Use Prevention with Culturally Responsive Practices
Substance use prevention is a crucial component of promoting student well-being and academic success. This presentation aims to equip school counselors with practical strategies for integrating substance use prevention into a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) while emphasizing student advocacy and culturally responsive curriculum development. Participants will explore best practices in substance use prevention, including evidence-based programs, curricula, and intervention strategies that resonate with diverse student populations. By aligning prevention efforts with MTSS frameworks and the ASCA National Standards (4th edition) across Personal/Social, Academic, and Career development domains, counselors can create a comprehensive, proactive, and effective school counseling program. This approach not only addresses students' needs across multiple areas of their development but also fosters a more inclusive and supportive school environment that values the voices and experiences of all students.

Presenters
Stephen Keck
Jessica Aws


Forging Through Imposter Syndrome
This session will define imposter syndrome (IS), review general and common identity markers (also referred to as demographics), sources of IS, and ways to cope and manage feelings and thoughts that stem from IS. This session will help participants identify resources and tools to overcome the negative feelings and thoughts from IS to help participants increase self-efficacy and growth mindset toward competence (personal and professional).

Presenter
Christine Robinson


Supporting Newly Arrived Multilingual Learners for Success
Multilingual learners bring significant assets to their learning and their school community. Creating systems that support newly arrived multilingual students and their families can present unique opportunities and challenges. In this session, join members of the OSPI Multilingual Education team to learn more about asset-based practices that can promote well-being, academic identity, and pathways to success for newly arrived multilingual learners.

Presenters
Kristin Percy Calaff
Virginia Morales


Educator Stress and Burnout: An Introduction to Polyvagal Theory and the Missing Link in Improving Student Mental Health
In this conference session, I will present " Educator Stress and Burnout: An introduction to Polyvagal Theory and the Missing Link in Improving Student Mental Health” . Utilizing the lens of Polyvagal Theory, I will elucidate how student mental health is adversely impacted by educator stress and burnout. Our students' nervous systems are inherently responsive to the emotional states of their educators, making it imperative to address this dynamic. I will create an outline of eight action steps that educators can take to improve their stress and burnout. By prioritizing the well-being of educators and staff, we unlock a crucial missing link in enhancing student mental health. Join me to explore practical strategies that ensure a resilient and supportive educational atmosphere.

Presenter
Malissa Durbin


Skill Up for Our Future
Washington’s economy has thrived over the last decade. Projected state job growth from 2023 to 2032 is at 12.8%, eclipsing the projected national average. During this period, Washington will see an estimated 1.5 million+ job openings, of which 75% will require postsecondary credentials. Bachelor’s and advanced degrees will be in highest demand – necessary for 45% of job openings. However, the state’s education and training systems are not producing new talent at the volume and with the skills needed to support this growth. We will highlight new research on expected job concentrations/credential needs, identify gaps, and explore approaches to support career preparation and economic mobility for workers and develop a robust workforce. Given the vital role school counselors play in helping students plan for their future, it is important to raise awareness among this audience about where jobs in Washington will be concentrated and the credentials required for these positions.

Presenter
Brian Jeffries
2:40PM
The FUN-damentals: ASCA, WACs, & CSCP Facts
Want to know more about SSB 5030 (2021) and just what the requirements are for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs in RCW and WAC? Wondering about the roles of different ESA staff in a CSCP? Or maybe it has been a while and you want to catch up on any changes to WA laws and rules you have missed. We’ve got you covered! Join us to refresh your knowledge about state agencies and the statutes + rules that apply to School Counselors and their programs as we enter year three of statewide implementation.

Presenter
Maria Muto


Providing Effective Site Supervision
Quality site supervision during the clinical experience is a critical part of a student’s learning experience. Supported by the ASCA Code of Ethics, site supervisors hold the responsibility of safeguarding the profession and protecting students. Without adequate training, we are often left doing the best we can and in schools, this work can feel especially challenging given the pace and the needs (where does one find the time to supervise?). In this session, participants will learn how to use the School Counseling Supervision Model (Luke & Bernard, 2006) with practicum and internship students. Participants will explore the essential components of this model, gaining practical strategies for supervising emerging counselors in school settings, navigating the partnership with the university supervisors, and intervening and supporting meaningfully.

Presenters
Addy Wissel
Hanna Brinser


Coping Cards: Helping students learn to manage anxiety
Anxiety in children and teens has been on the rise in recent years and affects around 30% of adolescents. Along with this rise in anxiety, many educators and school counselors have noticed that students struggle to know how to cope in these moments which impacts their ability to stay in class and at school. In order to support students with developing lifelong coping skills, the team at Liberty Middle School has created a process to allow students to develop and practice coping skills while remaining at school.

Presenter
Emily MacKay


Supporting Tier 2 Behaviors Using Supportive Spaces in School
Using supportive spaces (Think Space, Calming Room, etc.), the school counselor has a important role in supporting students who are demonstrating Tier 2 Behaviors. This session will be an in depth look at a current school program that utilizes a classroom, an MTSS Specialist, and the school counselor, to offer breaks, resets, behavior plans, and teacher support to remove the barrier of behavior on the road to student success. Learn how a School Counselor's role in collaborating with administrators, teachers, and behavior specialists is critical to lower the amount of discipline referrals, suspensions, and missed classroom instruction as well as reducing and preventing many Tier 1 and Tier 2 behaviors.

Presenter
Nick Paulakis


Understanding Childhood Guilt Following a Death
When a death occurs, guilt is a huge issue for children and parents alike. This workshop will focus on the guilt issues that children frequently experience. We will examine 8 types of guilt, reasons for guilt, and finish with 10 suggestions for helping a child cope with it.

Presenter
Bob Baugher


Do Small Groups Work?
We will explore the effectiveness of small group interventions in supporting social-emotional learning (SEL). We’ll review key data points and student growth measurements for students who participated in small groups, discussing trends, successes, and areas for improvement. Participants will gain insight into how small group counseling impacts student outcomes and how data can be used to refine practices for even greater impact.

Additionally, we’ll dive into practical strategies for launching and managing small groups, including tips for effective parent communication, selecting students, and creating a positive group dynamic. We will review various SEL curricula and activities that have proven successful in fostering emotional regulation, peer relationships, and problem-solving skills. Finally, we’ll discuss next steps for scaling and sustaining small group interventions, ensuring that your efforts lead to lasting, meaningful change for students. This session is ideal for counselors looking to maximize the impact of small group work in their schools.

Presenter
Chris Backman
Clock hours will be granted to conference participants.