Pre-Convention Morning Sessions – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Session 1: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Be a Data-Driven School Counselor using Google Drive
Presenter: Veritza Kostovski
Description: Does the thought of your computer crashing wake you up at night? Do you wish you could access your files anywhere and at any time? Are you tired of sending the same powerpoint back and forth and not knowing which email was the latest one? Then Google Drive is for you!
In this session, you will learn how to organize and collect data from your school counseling program utilizing Google Drive. In this session, participants will go step-by-step into the use of Google Drive including Google forms, google sheets, google slides, google classroom, and google forms. Participants will learn how to share, collaborate, and work inside each application to develop presentations, information sheets, folders, and access to these files in and out of your office. You will also learn how to upload your current files into the drive and convert them to a Google app document for easy viewing, storing, and sharing. And last, participants will learn how to collect secure data to demonstrate a data-driven school counseling program.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn how to navigate and interact with Google Drive applications.
- Participants will learn how to collect data utilizing various forms of Google Drive applications.
- Participants will learn how to effectively utilize Google Drive to collect data and collaborate with stakeholders using online apps.
Session 3: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Improving Academic, College, and Career Outcomes for African Males: Recommendations for School Counselors and School Personnel
Presenter: Dr. Erik Hines
Description: Indicators of college preparation include taking and completing rigorous coursework, actively participating and leading in extracurricular activities, support from parents/families, school personnel, and other individuals who serve as role models or mentors (Chait & Venzia, 2009; NOSCA, 2010). However, many African American male students (in K-12) may not receive the support and skills to be academically, socially, and emotionally prepared for college. African American males tend to graduate high school at a lower rate than their White, Asian, and Latino peers as well as have lower enrollment and graduation rates into college (Cose, 2014; Harper, 2012; Harper & Associates, 2014; Schott Foundation for Public Education, 2015). Moreover, Ford and Moore (2013) note that African American males from urban school districts disproportionately experience negative outcomes including academic failure; high dropout rates; low graduation rates; low test scores; low grades and grade point averages; low representation in gifted education and Advanced Placement classes; and greater participation in special education.
The presenter will discuss how school counselors and other school personnel can assist African American male students in becoming college and career ready through cultural competency, partnerships, and programming. Participants will engage in activities and discussions to help Black males best prepare for postsecondary opportunities. Recommendations will be given during this presentation.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn how different social factors impact the outcomes of academic achievement as well as college and career readiness for African American males.
- Participants will learn how to create an environment conducive to producing positive academic, college, and career outcomes for African American males through cultural competency.
- Participants, from demonstration, will learn how to develop programming and partnerships with various stakeholders to foster success for African American males.
Pre-Convention Afternoon Sessions – 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm
Session 4: 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm – Social-Emotional Learning through Middle School Redesign: A Miami-Dade Public Schools Approach
Presenters: Christine Estrada, Teri Sands, and Dr. Ilia Molina
Description: Miami-Dade County Public Schools has developed Middle School Redesign to improve the middle school experience of all students by implementing innovative changes to meet the learning needs for generations to come by making room for students to grow, empower and engage. One of the pillars of the Middle School Redesign is Social-Emotional Learning. What was once a charge for the School Counselor is now a school-wide effort from the cafeteria worker all the way to the principal. The School Counseling Team are the Social-Emotional leaders of the school.
By using Design Thinking, a human-centered approach to problem solving, we will discuss what worked and didn’t work and develop a plan to enhance your school’s Social Emotional Learning component as well as develop an understanding of the importance of valuing your students in order to empower all stakeholders to better assist students in your school.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will understand the process of Design Thinking.
- Understand how SEL can improve students experience in middle school.
- Understand the value of your students to assist in closing the academic achievement gap.
Session 6: 1:15 pm – 4:15 pm – High Impact Counseling Strategies for Brief Sessions in Schools
Presenter: Dr. Joshua Stanley
Description: School counselors are called to meet an ever-increasing range of needs ranging from identifying and responding to emerging mental health concerns to supporting general social/emotional development, academic achievement, and college/career readiness. However, large caseloads and competing responsibilities can limit the time school counselors have to serve students.
In this session, school counselors will explore strategies for differentiating school counseling services consistent with the framework for a multi-tiered system of supports. Emphasis will be given to approaches that make the most of time-limited counseling sessions. This session will combine evidence-based practices, creative approaches, and contemporary counseling theories to help school counselors further equip themselves to serve the diverse needs their students are facing. Participants will explore impactful strategies applicable to a wide range of presenting issues for both single counseling sessions and across a short series of counseling sessions.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will explore methods of intentionally differentiating school counseling services according to the multi-tiered system of supports framework.
- Participants will examine effective strategies for enhancing time-limited individual counseling
- Participants will identify approaches addressing common presenting issues that integrate contemporary counseling theories, evidence-based practices, and creative approaches sessions.
