FSCA 2017 Convention Keynote Speakers
Friday, November 3, 2017
Opening Keynote: Addressing Aggression: Creating a Safer Social-Emotional Learning Environment at School
Description: This presentation covers relational aggression (definition, prevalence, repercussions, latest research findings); the nature of girls’ friendships vs. boys’ friendships and how that plays out in power struggles within friendships; what works and doesn’t work in schools; and tips, tools and resources for counselors to use in the classroom and on the playground to help reduce bullying, and facilitate kinder, more caring, and inclusive school climates.
Presenter: Trudy Ludwig
Trudy Ludwig is an internationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author who specializes in writing children’s books that help kids cope with and thrive in their social world. She has received rave reviews from educators, experts, organizations, and parents for her passion and compassion in addressing friendship, bullying, and cyberbullying issues and for her work in promoting empathy and positive peer relationships.
An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy collaborates with leading experts and organizations and has been featured in numerous national and regional media outlets. She has also served as content advisor for Sesame Street Workshop’s “Good Birds Club” TV episode and as an expert panel member on Sesame Street’s video series on bullying. Trudy’s books have received numerous awards and citations including Victoria Soto Legacy Award, IBPA Gold Benjamin Franklin Award, Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award, NAPPA Gold Medal Award, Mom’s Choice Gold Awards, Moonbeam Children’s Books Gold Award, Comstock Read Aloud Honors and are included in the Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s Best of the Year Selection, NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People Selection, National Crime Prevention Council’s Circle of Respect Book Club Selection, Junior Library Guild Selection, School Library Journal’s Best Picture Books Selection, and Scholastic Instructor Recommended Back-to-School Picks.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
Closing Keynote: LIFE 101: For Ourselves, and For Our Students
Description: Living Intentionally For Excellence Influence – Equity – Access – Advocate – Success. In the world of a school counselor, these are just some of the words that permeate our minds as we strive to help our students reach their full potential and discover the world in which they strive to achieve. I am sure we would all agree that these are not always easy tasks and at times it can feel as though not enough progress is being made, so I am here to offer you a course called LIFE 101. This is a beginner level course because I am not going to say anything today that you don’t already know. Sorry to tell you – I don’t have a magic potion or trick to get students to be successful, but I do believe I have a passion and a growth mindset to bring these special powers out in others. We all have them. As educators, and especially as counselors, we all have the gift and abilities to bring out the best in our students so they can find success. Sometimes – we just need a little reminder and a little influence to help us bring that out in ourselves, so we can help bring it out in our students.
Presenter: Terri Tchorzynski
Terri Tchorzynski is a Professional School Counselor at the Calhoun Area Career Center (CACC) in Battle Creek, Michigan, and was just recently named the 2017 National School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Through a data-driven, comprehensive, and student-centered approach to school counseling, Terri and her team have received both state and national recognition. Behind Terri’s leadership, the CACC’s counseling department has been recognized by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) for exemplary practices in college/career readiness and was the second school in the state of Michigan to receive the nationally recognized achievement of being a Recognized ASCA Model Program. Terri has also been recognized as a Top Presenter for MDE’s Career and Technical Education Conference, an Honorary Counselor by the Michigan School Counselor Association, as well as being named the 2016 Michigan School Counselor of the Year.
Terri started her career in education as a high school English teacher after obtaining her degree from Central Michigan University. She often draws on those experiences in the classroom to improve her practices as a school counselor when working with students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Terri earned her Masters in School Counseling degree from Spring Arbor University and is in her 8th year as a school counselor at the CACC. Aside from the data-driven, comprehensive approach to school counseling, she attributes many of her successes as a school counselor to the relationships she builds with her students. Terri truly believes that building a trusting relationship with students is at the core of helping students find their success in life.
In her spare time, Terri loves spending time with her husband and two boys, coaches a girls varsity basketball team, and enjoys working out, attending sporting events and spending as much time in the sun at the beach that Michigan weather will allow.
