Overview:

Many students aren't prepared to cope with problems they encounter in life. Learn new ways to teach coping skills to K–8 students, and walk away with ready-to-implement lesson plans for the classroom.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain the importance of teaching coping skills to all students
2. Implement effective, proactive coping skills classroom lessons aligned with the ASCA National Model
3. Examine current practices for obtaining time in the classroom
4. List ways to reinforce coping skills lessons with individual students

Speaker(s):

Laura Smestad, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Polaris Family Behavioral Health, Seattle, Wash.

Tralana Eugene, Licensed Professional Counselor, Sage Holistic Counseling & Wellness, New Orleans, La.

Audience: Elementary, Middle

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

Restorative practices help build, restore and repair relationships in the school setting by fostering inclusion, community, accountability and responsibility and allow everyone the opportunity to be heard. The restorative circle is a safe space designed to promote a sense of belonging and to teach awareness and consideration of others. In addition, you can use restorative circles to teach social/emotional learning at every grade level. Learn how to begin the process of implementing restorative practices in your building.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Implement restorative circles in your setting
2. Examine the role restorative circles can play in your social/emotional curriculum
3. Discuss ways restorative circles can improve school climate

Speaker(s):

Sarah Lancaster, Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator, School Counseling, Advanced Education Programs, Fort Hays State University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, B-SS 3

Overview:

We often hear about the adverse effects on children of too much screen time. However, screens are only one component of an issue affecting an entire generation: the disease of indoor living. Developing a connection to nature and spending time outdoors is a vital component to child development but is often overlooked in medicine and education. Learn about the human/nature relationship, the importance of getting outside and how you can incorporate natured-based techniques into your school counseling program.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss nature-based models of counseling, the impact of nature on child development and the human/nature relationship
2. Examine your school counseling program and identify areas where you can incorporate nature-based techniques
3. Develop an implementation plan aligned with the ASCA National Model

Speaker(s):

Sage Rian, Assistant Professor, University of Denver

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-PF 1, B-SS 1, B-SS 3

Overview:

Resilience and the ability to overcome difficulties is a significant predictor of success. But resilience isn’t something we’re born with; it’s built over time. Stress and anxiety are on the rise in today’s youth, and both can be barriers to learning. For some, anxiety is persistent, overwhelming and interferes with daily activities, thus hindering student achievement. Explore how to use evidence-based practices to support students’ mental health. Learn developmentally appropriate activities, gather resources and build a stress busters toolbox to help your students learn healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety while building resiliency.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss contributing factors to stress and anxiety in today’s adolescents
2. Build a toolbox of resources for helping students manage stress and anxiety
3. Deliver a five-session stress busters small-group intervention

Speaker(s):

Barbara Truluck, School Counselor, Palmer Middle School, Kennesaw, Ga.

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: M7, B-PF 6, B-SS 3

Overview:

Most people experience anxiety at certain times in their life. However, for some it’s more intense and difficult to manage. Adults and children experience anxiety in a variety of ways. Learn to recognize signs of anxiety in yourself and others, and discover several strategies to cope with the symptoms of anxiety.

Learning Objectives:

After viewing this session, you will be able to:

1. Define anxiety
2. Identify symptoms of anxiety in adults and children
3. Discuss different strategies to help yourself and other cope with the symptoms of anxiety

Speaker(s):

Angela Pagliaro, Vice President of Educational Partnerships, Rethink Ed

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: Beginner

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

Even before COVID-19, there was a strong need to integrate technology into education for the current generation of learners. Now the emphasis on technology and the need for adaptive innovation is even stronger. Learn how one elementary school is building rapport and reaching students weekly through a schoolwide social/emotional YouTube series written, filmed and edited by the school's social/emotional team.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Provide an innovative way of delivering social/emotional lessons schoolwide
2. Discuss the process of writing and filming an online social/emotional series
3. Reinforce classroom lessons using a time-efficient, practical strategy

Speaker(s):

Catherine Kilpatrick, School Counselor, Elmdale Elementary School, Springdale, Ark.

Lindsey Odglen, Social Worker, Springdale School District, Springdale, Ark.

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1

Overview:

The increased pressure on student athletes at younger and younger ages is a national phenomenon. College recruiting in some sports begins as early as middle school. This pressure is exacerbated for Black males in America. What level of social/emotional intelligence is necessary for students to navigate that process well? How do we collaborate with coaches and other stakeholders to promote young athletes' social/emotional learning? Learn to take a strengths-based approach to collaborative and advocacy efforts on behalf of Black male student athletes.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Align social/emotional competencies with NCAA eligibility requirements and recruiting trends
2. Recognize the unique factors associated with the social/emotional development of Black male student athletes
3. Articulate strategies aimed at collaborating with coaches and other stakeholders to serve the unique needs of Black male student athletes

Speaker(s):

Paul Harris, Associate Professor, Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-PF 6, B-SS 6

Overview:

"School counselors are in a unique position to serve as school leaders who can have a positive impact on students, teachers and other school stakeholders. However, school counselors are often encumbered with tasks that compromise their leadership capacities. To assume a leadership position, we must adopt a framework consistent with our dispositions as school counselors and educators. School counselors can adopt a social/emotional leadership framework that can affect their professional behaviors, the individuals they serve and total school systems. Learn the basic assumptions and behaviors necessary to build a social/emotional leadership framework relevant to diverse students and school systems.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain social/emotional leadership dispositions and behaviors
2. Identify internal social/emotional leadership capacities and create goals for personal growth and development
3. Examine practices of scholarship grounded in social/emotional leadership and create a plan for program evaluation

Speaker(s):

Hannah Bowers, Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University

Matthew Lemberger-Truelove, Professor of Counselor Education, University of North Texas

Greg Brigman, Professor, Florida Atlantic University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: M6, M7, B-PF 7

Overview:

Learn about the free social/emotional curriculum WOOP, focused on the five competencies of SEL. Address monthly themes, classroom lessons and activities, all of which are adaptable for use at the elementary and middle levels.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Name the five competencies of SEL
2. Identify at least one benefit of SEL.
3. Implement at least one SEL strategy into your school counseling program

Speaker(s):

Gretchen Rhodes, Director of School Counseling, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Ill.

Maritza Yanez, School Counselor, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, Ill.

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

Honoring a student’s individuality, personal experiences and unique perspective on the world is a critical step to creating a more equitable learning environment for all students. Explore two strategies to create and sustain equity in schools: 1) intentional physical movement as an entry point to emotional connection and 2) self-reflection as a means to normalize different interpretations and widen conversations allowing for different experiences and perspectives. Walk away from this session with simple, practical implementation ideas for your school.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Apply an equity lens to SEL activities in your school to create emotionally safe classrooms, trusting student/teacher relationships and cultural responsiveness
2. Use intentional physical movement as an entry point to emotional connections and the implement the “dictionary tool” as a simple model for self-reflection
3. Introduce and implement these SEL strategies in your school with buy-in from administrators and teachers
4. Share resources with your school

Speaker(s):

Rupa Mehta, Founder, NaliniKIDS

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: Beginner

Competencies: B-PF 6, B-SS 6, M7

Overview:

ACT collaborated with ASCA to determine school counselor perspectives, needs and challenges related to students’ social/emotional development. Learn about best practices and key findings to prepare students for academic and career success.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss school counselors’ perspectives on students' social/emotional development as identified in the ACT/ASCA report
2. Identify best practices in preparing students for academic and career success through an SEL lens

Speaker(s):

Jeremy Burrus, Senior Director, ACT

Jason Way, Senior Research Psychologist, ACT

Becky L. Bobek, Principal Research Scientist, ACT

Eric Sparks

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

Resilience is generally described as the capacity to press beyond challenging risk factors. Identify the common traits and skills of resilience, and learn a few strategies to foster a culture of resiliency schoolwide. Hear how to provide more targeted work with students in group or individual settings.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the common traits and skills associated with resilience
2. Strategize ways to create a school culture of resiliency
3. Brainstorm strategies for handling common concerns among students

Speaker(s):

Karen Griffith, ASCA-Certified Trainer

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

School counselors are igniters of hope in the lives of their students, families and co-workers. Ignition, however, requires fuel. Learn about each social/emotional learning competency as defined by CASEL and the ASCA Student Standards through the lens of practice vs. program. When adults in the educational system understand, practice and model social/emotional learning skills, their ability to encourage, engage and empower students isenhanced.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the ASCA Student Standards and the five competencies of social/emotional learning as defined by CASEL and how these can be put into practice
2. Apply social/emotional competency concepts and strategies to your own life and role as a school counselor

Speaker(s):

Michelle Trujillo, School Climate Specialist, Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment, Nevada Department of Education

Marie DuFresne, Social, Emotional, and Academic Development Education Programs Professional, Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment, Nevada Department of Education

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-PF 1, B-PF 6, M7

Overview:

Are you interested in heading off bullying behaviors or giving extra support to students having difficulties at home? Learn about a free platform to gather and analyze daily social/emotional wellness data so you can implement school cousneling program interventions to students who need you.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the benefits of using a daily emotional wellness platform
2. Describe how to create a self-sustaining check-in system involving all stakeholders
3. Explain how to take action on daily emotional wellness data and track improvement over time

Speaker(s):

Eric Hunerdosse, School Counselor, Mark Twain Elementary School, Iowa City, IA

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 6, B-PA 4, B-PF 6

Overview:

Readiness is relevant across postsecondary intentions and has implications for informed career decisions. But what is it? The ASVAB Career Exploration Program offers validated skill and interest assessments. Results from the assessments, coupled with planning tools, help students identify goals and articulate steps required to gain career field entry through many pathways. Learn about the Career Exploration Program and how it aligns with ASCA Student Standards and position statements.

Learning Objectives:

After viewing this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss current concepts and spectrum of readiness as well as ways to operationalize it for career exploration purposes
2. Describe the applicability of the components of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program in meeting the Every Student Succeeds Act and ASCA Student Standards
3. Utilize take-away strategies for real-world implementation

Speaker(s):

Tabitha T. Jefferies, National Program Manager, ASVAB Career Exploration Program, Military Entrance Processing Command

Janet Bayer, Lead Occupational Analyst, ASVAB Career Exploration Program

Ted Hagert, Military and Marketing Liaison, ASVAB Career Exploration Program

Audience: All Experience Levels

Level: Middle/High

Competencies: B-PF 1, B-SS 2, M3

Overview:

While helping students transition to a post-pandemic future, school counselors may inadvertently be overlooking a vital source of resiliency – strength, opportunities and resources in the student’s past. Through solution-focused scaling, you can enhance students’ resilience by identifying and amplifying how they have already successfully navigated extraordinary challenges. This approach is an effective and efficient way to empower students as they transition to being back in the classroom.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Identify the major principles of solution-focused brief counseling, classrooms, conferences, parenting and/or consultation
2. Explain how to facilitate positive change among students, family members, teachers, parents and friends as a result of students’ progress
3. Implement a four-step solution-focused scaling process to foster resilience
4. Locate resources for further solution-focused brief counseling professional development

Speaker(s):

Russ Sabella, Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-PF 1, B-SS 1

Overview:

With the recently exposed fragility of our democracy as well as the changes COVID-19 has wrought, we can no longer conceptually limit SEL to individual awareness, attitudes and coping skills. Examine SEL attributes that support student engagement with other students, the school and the community as a whole.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Identify critical elements that contribute to fostering engaged citizenship
2. Lead classroom activities that contribute to citizenship skills
3. Create classroom activities specific to their environment

Speaker(s):

Cheri Lovre, Founder, Crisis Management Institute

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: M7

Overview:

Learn about creative strategies for the CASEL 5 SEL topics: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Walk away with resources and strategies including a variety of delivery options for flexibility in your school environment.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss creative ways to incorporate SEL strategies into your school counseling program to help foster student learning and engagement
2. Identify students' needs and select the appropriate competencies from the CASEL 5 for inclusion in your SEL program
3. List two-three resources or strategies you can immediately incorporate

Speaker(s):

Siobhan Murphy, Middle School Counseling Specialist, Broward County Public Schools, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Ann Tilman, Assistant Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies:

Overview:

School counselors are encouraged to promote students’ social/emotional learning using evidence-based practices pertinent to school contexts. Walk away with empirically supported intervention approaches to SEL delivered explicitly by school counselors. Hear an explanation of the various studies and recommendations for practice and program advocacy.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the relevance of SEL school counseling, including the pertinence to culturally diverse contexts
2. Explain the empirical literature related to SEL-focused school counseling
3. Identify strategies to implement SEL in your school counseling programs
4. Describe how to employ SEL practices in culturally diverse school contexts

Speaker(s):

Matthew Lemberger-Truelove, Professor of Counselor Education, University of North Texas

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies:

Overview:

Implementing a social-emotional learning (SEL) program successfully and holistically can be challenging. Learn about the importance of holistic SEL, some common obstacles you may face, and tips to help take your SEL program to the next level.

Learning Objectives:

After viewing this session, you will be able to:

1. Identify strategies for taking your SEL program from a school-counselor-led effort to a teacher-led program by engaging teachers, school leadership, families and afterschool programs
2. Access tangible ASCA-aligned resources to help you with implementation

Speaker(s):

Amy Walker, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Committee for Children

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 6, M5, M7

Overview:

SEL isn't something separate for school counselors or teachers to do; it's what we do and how we do it.  Learn how to incorporate SEL teaching strategies into classroom instruction.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain the power of incorporating SEL into classroom instruction
2. Explain how to use SEL strategies daily
3. Brainstorm how to inlcude SEL strategies into lessons without fully having to rewrite them

Speaker(s):

Christy Zamora, School Counselor, Global Community High School, Clark County School District, Las Vegas, Nev.

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, B-PF 9, M7

Overview:

Learn about free, evidence-based digital resources to educate students about cultivating and maintaining healthy relationships, covering key concepts around positive character development, social/emotional learning, compassion and building a school community.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Implement lessons focused on building empathy and compassion, identifying emotions, performing acts of kindness and practicing mindfulness
2. Implement lessons surrounding positive character development and building healthy relationships
3. Develop lessons that empower students to use their unqiue social influence to improve peer relationships and foster a positive school coimate
4. Access free resources

Speaker(s):

Heather Miller, Regional Director, EVERFI

Stephanie Stokes

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies:

Overview:

Students today are held to increasingly higher and higher standards related to academics, extracurricular activities and future goals. Honors-level students often feel an immense pressure to perform perfectly in all aspects of life and school. Learn about a series of puzzles designed for failure to help these students foster resiliency, a growth mindset and the ability to move forward positively in the face of failure.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Implement your own Impossible Escape Room

Speaker(s):

Anne Zinn, School Counselor, Norwich Free Academy, Norwich, Conn.

Audience: Middle and High School

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 6

Speaker(s):

Amanda Bustamante, School Counselor, Chester E. Jordan Elementary School, El Paso, Texas

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies:

Overview:

Hear how social/emotional learning is the foundation for universal Tier 1 depression education and suicide prevention. Expand on your current SEL practices by providing the building blocks to engage students in more in-depth conversations about mental health. Explore the research behind depression and suicide and walk away with evidence-informed, practical resources you can use with your students and educators to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking.

Learning Objectives:

After viewing this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain how SEL can help promote mental health awareness
2. Access resources to use with your students to promote mental health awareness

Speaker(s):

Katie Conklin, Director Of School Culture, Erika’s Lighthouse

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-PF2, B-PF 1, M7

Overview:

The research-based theory of growth mindset is a great fit for many small counseling groups. Whether your group is for unmotivated students struggling with self-esteem, students with anxiety or high-performing perfectionists, focus on structuring your group from start to finish.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain how to implement growth mindset small groups with innovative lessons and projects
2. Describe how growth mindset concepts can increase student outcomes
3. Identify Tier 2 strategies to address closing-the-gap needs

Speaker(s):

Lisa King, School Counselor, Blackwell Elementary, Cobb County School District, Marietta, Ga.

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: B-SS 1, M7

Overview:

Hear one elementary school counselor’s journey of implementing SEL building-wide through a daily class meeting structure implemented by teachers. Teachers are provided a monthly SEL topic and discussion questions, videos, books to go along with that topic. Included in the teaching outline are elements of restorative circles, PBIS expectations review, bullying curriculum and zones of regulation curriculum. Trauma-informed elements are incorporated into the lesson structure as well.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Assess where your school is with SEL implementation
2. Brainstorm a schoolwide SEL implementation plan

Speaker(s):

Tosha Todd, School Counselor, Lucy Franklin Elementary, Blue Springs, Mo.

Audience: Elementary

Level: Beginner

Competencies: M1, M7

Overview:

Students with disabilities experience social/emotional challenges and strengths specifically connected to their disabilities. Learn about some of these common challenges and strengths, as well as evidence-based Tier 1, 2 and 3 interventions you can implement with your students.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Explain social/emotional characteristics commonly associated with different types of disabilities
2. Discuss SEL interventions relevant for K–12 students who have disabilities

Speaker(s):

Amy Milsom, Professor and Department Chair, Appalachian State University

Hayley McCraw, Graduate Student, Appalachian State University

Audience: All Practice Levels

Level: Intermediate

Competencies: B-PF 1, B-PF 6, B-SS 1

Overview:

Now, more than ever, the adjustment to college is met with uncertainties, exacerbating students’ emotional well-being. Although many colleges are combating these challenges with transition programs, students still require more time to adjust to the new realities of college life in a healthy way. Over the past three years, Beacon College has implemented pre-enrollment transition programs for nearly 1,000 students entering college throughout the United States to help them and their families proactively prepare for the adjustment to college life. Focus on data gleaned from this program and how it improved retention, persistence, skill development and the global transition to postsecondary life.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1. Identify leading issues related to retention through the lens of adjustment disorders and other related mental health conditions
2. List various skill domains to work on to increase proactive preparation for college life
3. Label the systemic issues in higher education that leave non-traditional learners vulnerable to attrition

Speaker(s):

Alexander Morris-Wood, Dean of Admissions, Transition Programs, & Strategic Outreach, Beacon College

Audience: High School

Level: All Experience Levels

Competencies: M7, M3