November 2-4, 2025
Embassy Suites & Frisco Convention Center
7600 John Q Hammons Drive Frisco, TX 75034
We look forward to having you join us at the Lone Star State School Counselor Association Conference!
We hope to see you next year!
Lead Presenter: Raquel Gillham
Explore how school counselors can lead the way in building and sustaining CTE pathways by leveraging the strength of regional collaboration. This interactive session features real-world success stories, hands-on tools, and proven strategies to help you guide students toward high-demand careers. Learn how to align K–12, higher ed, and industry to expand access and opportunity, starting with your role.
Lead Presenter: Patrice Gray
Ready to level up your counseling journey? “High School 101” is designed for elementary and middle school counselors eager to explore the fast-paced world of high school counseling. Discover essential skills, tools, mindset, and resources needed for a successful transition, while also building unstoppable momentum to pave meaningful pathways for student success in high school and beyond.
Lead Presenter: Michelle Rollins
Discover how to use Solution-Focused skills creatively in classroom guidance, small groups, and individual sessions. This interactive workshop equips elementary counselors with a variety of engaging tools (art, play, movement, etc.) to use with students to help them set goals, build resilience, and focus on strengths—empowering change through brief, effective, and developmentally appropriate strategies.
Lead Presenter: Dyann Wilson
Grab your digital hard hat and explore a curated collection of AI tools with the #techCAREtwins! From elementary to high school, this fast-paced session equips counselors with a dynamic set of AI tools—like ChatGPT, MagicSchool, and Adobe Express—to support time management, student communication, SEL planning, documentation, and more. You’ll leave with a digital toolbox full of ready-to-use resources for every level of student support.
Lead Presenter: Nancy Garcia Smith
First-generation Latino students face unique barriers on their educational journey. This session explores how culturally responsive mentorship can break cycles, uplift families, and transform schools. We’ll share real stories, proven strategies, and practical tools to empower students and create lasting pathways to success.
Lead Presenter: Robin Fishman
When ethical dilemmas arise, how do you respond? This fast-paced session uses real-world scenarios to explore the power of pausing, consulting, and making confident, student-centered decisions. Walk away with fresh insight, practical takeaways, and a stronger ethical lens rooted in ASCA standards.
Lead Presenter: Jacquelyn Solis
Join your LSSSCA Director of Secondary, Jacquelyn Solis, experienced elementary and high school counselor, for a practical and engaging session focused on building an annual calendar that supports a comprehensive school counseling program. Learn how to create a structured work routine, plan intentional initiatives, and align your calendar with campus goals and student needs.
Lead Presenter: Dr. Tracey Brown
Are you a school counselor wanting to elevate your impact and drive positive change within your school? The Leader I’ll Be: Best Practices
for School Counselors and District Leaders is a session designed to help you build leadership skills necessary to excel in your role as a school counselor.
This session will provide you with actionable strategies and proven techniques to help you become the influential leader you aspire to be!
Lead Presenter: Jenny Patrick
Ready to earn your Survival Badge? In this interactive session, small school counselors will gather around the campfire to share stories, strategies, and survival tips. Through games, group challenges, and real talk, we’ll explore how to navigate underfunding, cultural dynamics, isolation, and wearing all the hats. Whether you’re a solo act or part of a small-but-mighty team, you’ll leave with new ideas, renewed energy, and a sense of connection.
Lead Presenter: Kimest Sanders
Join Kimest Sanders, a seasoned school counselor, to learn practical strategies for organizing your role. This session covers yearly and weekly planning, calendar management, fostering healthy boundaries with staff, and using empowering tools like Canva templates and Outlook calendars. Enhance your efficiency and maximize your impact on students’ lives with actionable advice you can implement immediately.
Attendees will have the option to attend 2 free sessions during this time, or choose to attend the Targeted Skill-Building Workshop for an additional $25
Lead Presenter: Danielle McCray
A high school College & Career Fair should be more than tables and brochures—it should excite, inform, and inspire students. This session provides a step-by-step guide to planning an engaging event, from setting goals and securing support to inviting the right representatives and boosting student participation. Attendees will leave with practical templates, real examples, and creative strategies to make their fair a meaningful experience.
Lead Presenter: Monica Dominguez
Curious if your school counseling program is meeting the gold standards of excellence? This interactive working session will walk you through how the Lone Star Award process grounded in the Texas Model and aligned with the ASCA National Model can be used as a powerful evaluation tool. Whether you’re aiming to apply for the award or simply want to ensure your program is data-driven and comprehensive, this session is for you. Bring your paperwork.
Lead Presenter: Penelope Flores
This session seeks to provide audience members with the set up and implementation of a leadership group called the Kindness Crew. This group fosters leadership skills in students while instilling a culture of kindness and care throughout the school and within the community. We will present various ways of setting up the small group and facilitation efforts throughout the school year with lesson ideas and kindness initiatives that make an impact.
Lead Presenter: Mary McCullough
Effective leadership in counseling goes beyond expertise—it requires emotional intelligence (EI), including self-awareness, empathy, communication, and adaptability. Strengthening these skills helps counselor leaders build strong teams, foster supportive environments, and enhance their impact. This presentation explores EI’s role in leadership, identifying EI strengths and growth areas to drive collaboration, mentorship, and meaningful change.
Lead Presenter: Alicia Brown
Discover how an elementary counseling team built “Legendary Leaders,” a student leadership program that sparks schoolwide momentum and strengthens campus culture. Learn how to recruit and train student leaders, launch impactful campaigns, and use simple tech tools like Canva, Capcut, and AI to empower student voice, boost engagement, and amplify your counseling program’s visibility—no advanced skills needed!
Lead Presenter: Katherine Friedel
This presentation will cover 4 steps for building an MTSS program on campus. These steps include data collection, progress monitoring, and identifying appropriate interventions. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to run an MTSS meeting to include what data to collect, how to match students with interventions and how to monitor student progress.
Lead Presenter: Lauren Peterson
Does staff hesitation to trust or fully understand the role of the school counselor sound familiar? You’re not alone. In this session, a new and experienced counselor shares real-world strategies to build trust, increase visibility, and clearly communicate the value of school counseling in elementary schools. Leave with tools to strengthen collaboration and advocate for your role.
Lead Presenter: Cristina Alvarez
This presentation focuses on data-driven strategies for tracking graduation progress, ensuring compliance with requirements, and proactively identifying students who need additional support. Through effective use of Excel-based tracking systems, SMART goal planning, and structured interventions, educators and administrators can optimize student success and graduation rates.
Lead Presenter: Angela Cage-McGee
This session explores the power of collaboration between counselors and College Readiness personnel in driving student success. Participants will learn strategies for building strong partnerships, aligning goals, and leveraging each role’s expertise to ensure students meet CCMR benchmarks. Join us to discover how effective teamwork can lead to impactful results for all students.
Lead Presenter: Amanda Flowers
Join us for an interactive session on breaking down barriers for English learners through culturally responsive, language-aware counseling strategies that you can implement right away. Through practical tips, real-world examples, and research-based practices, participants will learn how to design equitable guidance lessons that integrate proven language strategies to foster academic, social, emotional, and linguistic success for English learners.
Lead Presenter: Tamaria Wade
If you have ever left a parent meeting or phone conversation questioning, “What went wrong?” this session is designed for you. As school counselors, we play a vital role in facilitating communication and fostering strong, supportive relationships with students and their families. In this session, we will examine purposeful strategies for building trust, navigating difficult conversations, and creating lasting connections. It is my hope that you will leave with a set of practical tools and meaningful insights to enhance your work with both students and their families.
Lead Presenter: Bernell Elzey
In today’s world, students face high levels of stress from trauma, social unrest, and shifting societal conditions. Without support, these challenges can impact mental health and learning. This interactive session equips school counselors with trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and holistic techniques to help students find calm, build coping skills, and restore balance through MTSS-based strategies and hands-on, ready-to-use resources.
Lead Presenter: Drew Melton
The ETV benefit is a Federal fund put in place to assist students coming from foster care with living expenses while attending postsecondary school. H.B. 2537 went into effect in 2017 requiring high school counselors to inform students in foster care about their college benefits every year. This workshop will outline post-secondary benefits and help attendees understand the unique challenges foster care students face when moving on to college.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Vega
Join us for an insightful presentation on the journey of implementing the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in a high school setting. This session will delve into the various stages of MTSS implementation, highlighting both the successes and challenges encountered along the way, and how they contribute to creating a dynamic and continuous process that drives student achievement forward.
Lead Presenter: Priscilla Gamboa Vomero
As self-harm behaviors rise among youth—particularly within high-needs and special populations—school counselors and administrators are increasingly on the front lines of crisis response. This presentation offers a practical, trauma-informed, and collaborative approach to recognizing, responding to, and supporting students.
Lead Presenter: Linda Metcalf
The most challenging students in your school need engagement the most. This presentation will share how the solution focused approach can break through social, emotional barriers with at risk students and keep them in school. Several programs will be shared to stop constant suspensions and lessen referrals from teachers, all the while creating a peaceful and inviting school climate!
Lead Presenter: Lindsay Fuller
This session will provide school counselors with practical strategies to implement a comprehensive counseling program that enhances student support, academic success, and personal/social development. We’ll share successful strategies, real-world examples, and data-driven approaches to track progress and improve services. Attendees will leave with actionable insights, best practices, and resources to ensure equitable support for all students.
Lead Presenter: Toni LaZurs
The step by step process to ensure that those with learning differences (and their parents) understand all that is necessary to apply and get into college/technical schools/junior college/military will be explained along with the top colleges for students with learning differences. (I have toured 72 colleges with the LD student in mind thanks to my own twin daughters and tours I have taken my students on every October).
Lead Presenter: Michael Banta
Join us for an interactive workshop on using the feeling’s wheel in school counseling. Learn to enhance feeling awareness, communication, and granularity with students. Explore practical applications and case studies. Learn methods to help facilitate expression and identification of feeling-words to improve student well-being and emotional literacy.
Lead Presenter: John Burnett
Have a message to share but don’t know where to start? This interactive bootcamp will guide you through the entire content creation process—from brainstorming ideas to producing engaging content across platforms. Whether you’re starting a blog, podcast, or social media brand, you’ll leave with a content strategy, real-time practice, and the tools to bring your ideas to life.
Attendees must bring their laptops to the session.
Lead Presenter: Ashley Wright
Turn your counseling skills into income with practical, hands-on strategies! In this interactive session, you’ll explore ways to leverage your LPC license, write books, create courses, and build a profitable personal brand. Walk away with actionable steps to start monetizing immediately.
Attendees must bring their laptops to the session.
Lead Presenter: Nwakego Oriji
AI is transforming school counseling—learn how to use it to your advantage! In this hands-on session, you’ll explore AI-powered tools for student support, data analysis, and workflow automation. Test AI tools live, customize them for your needs, and take-home practical applications you can use right away.
Attendees must bring their laptops to the session.
Lead Presenter: Carolyn Stone
School counselors can be powerful strategists when applying legal muscle to problems that impact the educational environment. Federal and case law can protect marginalized youth, yet, there are still laws that can hinder counselors’ advocacy efforts. Intervening on behalf of students is infinitely easier if there is a law that provides leverage. This session focuses on the rights of students who are gay or transgender, students in foster care, pregnant students, victims of dating violence, sexual harassment. or bullying. Legal understanding coupled with our ethical imperative to advocate is a formidable combination and increases the odds that counselors will have sway in systemic change and individual support.
Lead Presenter: Lyndsay Morris
When students and adults understand how their brains function under stress and the “why” behind their impulsivity, anger, frustration, and lack of focus, we empower them to make positive choices and master self-regulation. This interactive session provides the blueprint for not only teaching emotional regulation, but also creating spaces that promote self-regulation and well-being.
Lead Presenter: Mynda Rivera
Looking to elevate your small group counseling program? This interactive session provides school counselors with practical strategies for designing and facilitating effective small groups for students at every developmental stage—from early childhood through high school. Learn how to identify student needs, group students effectively, and implement engaging, age-appropriate activities. Explore tips for managing group dynamics and tracking progress.
Lead Presenter: Lindsay Fuller
This presentation explores how comprehensive, cross-grade counseling strategies prepare students for postsecondary success. Presented by Aledo ISD Lead Counselors, the session emphasizes that college and career readiness (CCR) extends beyond academics to include social-emotional skills, self-awareness, and real-world exposure. K-12 vertical alignment!
Lead Presenter: Melissa Liebrum
Discover how Royse City ISD’s crisis counseling team transforms chaos into calm. In this breakout session, we’ll share proven strategies for providing effective crisis counseling to students and staff. Learn about the critical role of briefing and debriefing, and the practical tools we use to support our community during turbulent times. This session offers valuable takeaways for fostering resilience in your schools.
Lead Presenter: Michael McGill Jr.
Description: Coming Soon
Lead Presenter: Tiffany Blackwood
Just like triage nurses, school counselors must quickly assess, prioritize, and respond to student needs in real time. This session explores how counselors move from quick fixes to meaningful breakthroughs by identifying high-impact priorities, managing crises, and aligning their work with a comprehensive school counseling program. Leave with practical tools to turn urgency into lasting change.
Lead Presenter: Jeffrey Bingamon
Students who blurt “I want to die” out of frustration to those who shut down, lash out, or crumble under stress. Counselors face raw, emotional moments every day. This session provides practical, trauma-informed tools to help regulate big feelings, reduce anxiety, and learn healthy ways to cope. Using a visual “beanstalk” metaphor, each leaf represents a strategy to teach and use immediately, building emotional resilience and restoring calmness.
Lead Presenter: Jeanne Juneau
Do you ever feel lost when it comes to PK guidance lessons? PK are just beginning their journey and have so much to learn but very short attention spans. Let’s not forget they are non-readers with limited vocabularies. Faced with these situations daily, I am constantly finding new books and materials to help them learn about basis social skills in an engaging way. Let me share some of my favorite lessons with you from my 2024-2025 school year.
Lead Presenter: Niky Conklin
Learn about different levels of care families may experience when seeking help for their child that is exhibiting suicidal or self-harming behaviors. You will gain a better understanding of what inpatient/acute care, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Residential Facilities, & the Y.E.S. Waiver program look like. There will also be helpful tips and questions families should consider as they seek care for their child.
Lead Presenter: Ryann Campbell
While our school resources are steadily being cut, our school responsibilities are constantly growing. It is important to have a strategy to tackle the non-negotiable Counselor responsibilities when you are the only YOU on campus. In this presentation, we will go over what we feel are the 3 top priorities that School Counselors should be ready to plan and execute. We will provide insight and resources that will help you with those duties.
Lead Presenter: Stephanie Duer
While mental health awareness has grown, access to services remains limited. This session challenges traditional approaches by shifting the focus from illness to recovery and resilience. Participants will explore the meaning of mental wellness and learn strengths-based strategies to support students and staff. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” we’ll ask, “What is strong with you?”
Lead Presenter: Dr. Tracey Brown
This session will address mental health challenges that impact students and factors that can mitigate the effects of trauma on student learning.
This presentation will help to increase awareness of how to effectively implement trauma-informed practices in schools. We will also offer strategies for working collaboratively with school and community stakeholders to support students’ mental health and wellness.
Lead Presenter: Carolyn Stone
School counselors can be powerful strategists when applying legal muscle to problems that impact the educational environment. Federal and case law can protect marginalized youth, yet, there are still laws that can hinder counselors’ advocacy efforts. Intervening on behalf of students is infinitely easier if there is a law that provides leverage. This session focuses on the rights of students who are gay or transgender, students in foster care, pregnant students, victims of dating violence, sexual harassment. or bullying. Legal understanding coupled with our ethical imperative to advocate is a formidable combination and increases the odds that counselors will have sway in systemic change and individual support.
Lead Presenter: Shane Minks
Skyrocketing college costs and competing financial priorities have left families stressed, leading to confusion and resulting in missed opportunities for numerous students. This year, recent legislation has added even more uncertainty, and many families are unsure what these updates mean for them. They’re eager for clear guidance and practical solutions.
By attending The College Funding Coach® session, you’ll gain actionable insights, practical tools, and easy-to-use resources designed to cut through the confusion and help families confidently plan for college expenses.
Lead Presenter: Steven Coyle
Four-year college isn’t the dream for every Gen Z student—some want skills, not syllabi. In this high-energy session, we’ll dig into why the skilled trades are hotter than ever, what success means to Gen Z, and how you can connect your students to real career paths they’ve probably never considered. You’ll also get a sneak peek at SPARK, the chatbot built to answer student questions about skilled trades, jobs, and training—so you don’t have to.
Lead Presenter: Michelle Kinder
Discover practical strategies for counselor and educator well-being, drawn from nearly a year of interviews for the Oxygen for Educators podcast and magazine. As external pressures intensify, sustaining your own well-being is more critical than ever. Learn what truly works from extraordinary educators and thought leaders, and join a space designed to share ideas, spark resilience, and strengthen community.
Lead Presenter: Danielle Duarte
How are students different as a result of your comprehensive school counseling program? What evidence is there that the program’s objectives are being met? This session will share how to collect, analyze, and share counseling program data and results to make an even greater impact in your school communities. Walk away with ideas, strategies, and templates for showcasing the powerful work of school counselors!
Lead Presenter: Corey Nieman
Join College Board to explore free tools that help students plan their futures with confidence. Counselors will learn to use BigFuture.org and the BigFuture Schools app to guide students in exploring colleges, careers, and scholarships. Gain ready-to-use resources for high school milestones, postsecondary planning, and decision-making, plus strategies to connect students with personalized SAT insights, free practice, and score-linked guidance for college and career success.
Lead Presenter: Steven Coyle
Four-year college isn’t the dream for every Gen Z student—some want skills, not syllabi. In this high-energy session, we’ll dig into why the skilled trades are hotter than ever, what success means to Gen Z, and how you can connect your students to real career paths they’ve probably never considered. You’ll also get a sneak peek at SPARK, the chatbot built to answer student questions about skilled trades, jobs, and training—so you don’t have to.
Lead Presenter: Sarah Thrash
Post-secondary success starts early. This high-energy session explores how to embed college, career, and military readiness (CCMR) at every grade level. From sparking curiosity in kindergarten to planning in high school, gain practical, age-appropriate strategies that build purpose and direction. Leave with tools to create a culture of opportunity, equity, and empowerment for all students, regardless of background.
Lead Presenter: Katie Duran
Counselors juggle everything from course planning to CCMR tracking—and the paperwork can feel endless. Learn how Texas districts are transforming their counseling programs by cutting down on manual tasks and streamlining key processes: career interest inventories, PGP completion, college applications, and work-based learning. In this session, we’ll highlight how digital platforms like SchooLinks help schools simplify data management, engage stakeholders, and—most importantly—give counselors more time to do what matters most: supporting students directly.
Lead Presenter: Lindsey Jannaman
This session will explore how music can be used to support the school counseling program. The session focus will be strategies and practices to enhance engagement, promote a positive culture, and support explicit social and emotional instruction using music. Attendees will have opportunities to participate in, practice, and take away ideas for immediate implementation.
Lead Presenter: Jenny Patrick
What do small school counselors really worry about? Just two things: everything we can control… and everything we can’t. In this honest, eye-opening, and empowering session, we’ll explore the lived realities of small school counseling—where the job description is limitless, the budget is modest (at best), and cultural context deeply impacts every decision.
Lead Presenter: Cristina Nunez
Through leadership, advocacy, innovative practices, and a direct focus on equitable outcomes, school counselors serve student success. Engage in an interactive Q&A presentation with the 2025 LSSSCA School Counselor of the Year and finalists to learn more about their school counseling programs, their journeys to develop student-focused programs, and best practices.
Lead Presenter: Rachel Pena
Socorro ISD is addressing challenges such as absenteeism, staffing shortages, and student mental health with the help of AI-assisted Tier 1 supports. Participants will examine an ESSA-validated model that works alongside school counseling teams to increase impact. Through hands-on experimentation and guided analysis, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to evaluate AI tools and implement scalable solutions that address unmet needs.
Lead Presenter: Daisy Garcia
Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your heart first work, this session provides a roadmap for building inclusive spaces where every student feels valued, connected, and capable of success. Learn how MTSS-focused circles, data-driven insights, and daily affirmations can transform student outcomes, foster brain regulation, and strengthen school culture.
Lead Presenter: Sheri Dominique
Ready to transform your school counseling program into a hub of belonging and empowerment? In this interactive session, we’ll explore how small groups & student clubs can become powerful tools for social-emotional growth, peer connection, & student voice. You’ll walk away with practical tools, creative group ideas, & real-world examples to help you build a club culture where every student can discover their purpose & grow into their potential
Lead Presenter: Melissa Ramirez
In today’s complex educational lanscape, school counselors are often the first point of contact for students facing mental health challenges. This interactive session goes beyond theory, offering evidence-based self-regulation techniques counselors can model and implement. Participants will gain practical tools to help students understand emotions and reduce behavioral outbursts, cope with stress, build resilience, and foster self-compassion.
Lead Presenter: Enrique Otero
This interactive workshop explores the synergy between mindfulness and positive psychology to enhance the psychological well-being, resilience, and performance of its participants and the students with whom they work. Evidence-based practices will be presented, aiming at the cultivation of presence, positivity, and the promotion of flourishing in both personal and professional contexts.
Lead Presenter: Patrice Gray
Need clarity on CCMR Points? This interactive session cuts through the confusion of College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) so you can help students “Get to the Point!” Learn how to identify, support, and schedule students to earn CCMR points. Through real-life scenarios, practical tools, and strategies, you’ll discover ways to turn postsecondary planning into stronger accountability outcomes and student success.
Lead Presenter: Crisanta Searway
Discover how to use geek culture and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to engage K-12 students in strengths-based, goal-focused counseling. Through Marvel, DC, and Pokémon stories, learn how to apply SFBT strategies in individual, group, and classroom settings to help students visualize success, build hope, and take meaningful next steps.
Lead Presenter: Tiffany Blackwood
Establishing your school counseling advisory is an integral piece that is needed when building your comprehensive school counseling program. You have your members, location, time and date, but what are the next steps? During this presentation you will learn how to successfully implement your school counseling advisory and how to partner with your stakeholders to collaborate on creating your needs based comprehensive school counseling program.
Lead Presenter: Wanda Perez
Join us on a journey of collaboration and meaningfulness. Participants will reflect on how to support one another, explore simple strategies for mental well-being at work, and build trust through shared stories using Storytelling Stones. This session creates a safe space for vulnerability, empathy, and genuine team support, with hands-on activities on how to support one another and explore simple strategies for mental well-being.
Lead Presenter: Stephanie Lerner
This presentation will deliver essential updates from the 89th Texas Legislature relevant to K–12 education, with a focus on legislation impacting school counselors. It will also explore how these updates align with existing laws and highlight key resources and guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Participants will have the opportunity to provide input on future school counseling initiatives and resources.
Lead Presenter: Michael DeLeon
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 and younger because kids were actually the intention of this product. This session will prove that, as well as the dangerous fact that many of these devices have become drug delivery systems.
Lead Presenter: Marjorie Alexander
Are you a new high school counselor or do you have a new counselor on your team? Supporting your own or your teammate’s success is pivotal to creating a comprehensive school counseling program. Attendees will leave the session with valuable tools they can use right away to be a more effective counselor. Attendees will leave with tools for time management, organization, parent conflicts, building student relationships, and more.
Lead Presenter: Dyann Wilson
As the heart of your campus, you help students find their voice, and empathy deserves to take the stage. In this session designed for school counselors, discover how edtech and AI tools, including SchoolAI and Adobe Express, can help you amplify connection, support emotional wellness, and foster understanding across your school. Walk away with a setlist of creative tools, strategies, and fresh ideas to keep your students, and your campus, in harmony.
Lead Presenter: Laura Zimmer
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the school counselor’s role is more crucial than ever. As districts expand and diversify their offerings, the need for effective advising that goes beyond mere course selection is paramount. Dive into how large districts are successfully navigating this shift, moving toward a model of true advising that supports both college and career readiness.
Lead Presenter: Brittany Hammond
We will explore the powerful role therapy dogs play in fostering emotional well-being and creating a positive school environment. Attendees will learn about the research and benefits of therapy dogs in schools, resources to help you secure and advocate for a therapy dog program, and real-life success stories from two schools that have implemented these programs.
Lead Presenter: LaShanda Lewis
“Secondary counselors only change schedules.” “Elementary counselors let kids play and then send them back to class.” Do people misunderstand what you do? Come aboard the advocacy train to learn how to get those around you to understand the role of the school counselor. Our time together will help you to think through how you can use program data, identify needs, and build a team of supporters to spread the word about school counselors.
Lead Presenter: Shelby Garcia
Discover how two school counselors use AI to save time, spark creativity, and strengthen every tier of their counseling program—from SEL lessons and small groups to parent communication, referrals, and PBIS campaigns. Learn how to write effective prompts, explore ethical boundaries, and walk away with ready-to-use tools, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
Lead Presenter: Erin Gutierrez
Ideas and templates for crucial conversations with students, staff, and those you supervise to guide them to greater success! Campus leaders and staff must be open to growth and able to process positive self-reflection and change to empathize with and further support students growing to higher levels of success.
Lead Presenter: Kristen Rendon
The first year as a school counselor can be overwhelming. Where does one even begin? This presentation can provide a guide to developing a framework for a comprehensive school counseling program. The beauty of each new school year is we get a chance to reflect, evaluate and make changes to enhance the pathways for student success.
Lead Presenter: Penelope Flores
Low cost, but high impact lessons using just one single paper! This presentation hopes to instill the audience with guidance lessons for the classroom, small groups, and individual sessions that can have a high impact on student success using just a single piece of paper. Some topics include: self-awareness, coping skills, kindness, bully prevention, and goal setting.
Lead Presenter: Carla Moffitt
Today’s school counseling workforce spans multiple generations—ranging from Baby Boomers to Gen Z—each bringing unique perspectives, experiences, and approaches to student support. This interactive session explores how generational synergy among school counselors can enhance collaboration, innovation, and student outcomes. Participants will examine generational characteristics and interactive challenges which impact student success.
Lead Presenter: Amanda Bustamante
If you are looking for a creative way to incorporate circles into your school counseling program, this is the session for you! Whether in peer mediations, small groups, or counseling lessons, circles can help create a culture of caring that spreads throughout your campus. Participants will walk away with innovative ideas for how to effectively use circles at the Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels of their comprehensive program.
Lead Presenter: Shelly-Ann James-Perelion
As professional counselors, navigating a work environment that constantly evolves and presents new challenges, finding time for personal wellness, growth and success can seem overwhelming. This presentation is designed to help counselors unlock and embrace their potential by learning how to identify and utilize their unique strengths, raise self-awareness, challenge limiting beliefs and set achievable goals for personal and professional growth.
Lead Presenter: Zoraya Holmes
Explore how strong parent engagement fuels unstoppable momentum in student success. This session equips counselors with tools to build trust, empower families, and foster lasting partnerships. By strengthening home-school connections, counselors help create a ripple effect—supportive, empowered parents drive student confidence, resilience, and sustained academic progress.
Lead Presenter: Kaniesha McEwen
Explore how to plan and execute an impactful career day that not only engages students and the community but aligns with TCESS standards. Walk away with tools and insights to elevate your campus event and demonstrate measurable student outcomes.
Lead Presenter: Sandi Johnson
As educators, we pour our hearts into supporting students, staff, and families—often at the expense of our own well-being. This session will explore the realities of compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma in school counseling. Attendees will gain practical self-care strategies to maintain emotional resilience, set healthy boundaries, and sustain their passion for the profession without sacrificing their own mental health.
Lead Presenter: Jessica Snyder
Staff from TEA’s Curriculum Standards and Student Support Division will provide an update on recent actions from the 89th Texas Legislature and the State Board of Education related to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills; graduation requirements; and other curriculum-related topics.
Lead Presenter: Danielle Duarte
How are students different as a result of your comprehensive school counseling program? What evidence is there that the program’s objectives are being met? This session will share how to collect, analyze, and share counseling program data and results to make an even greater impact in your school communities. Walk away with ideas, strategies, and templates for showcasing the powerful work of school counselors!
Lead Presenter: Monica Dominguez
Are you ready to showcase the incredible work happening within your counseling program? Join us as we walk through the application process for the Lone Star Award and the SCOY recognition. This session will provide attendees with practical strategies, timelines, and tips for submitting the application. Whether you’re applying for the 1st time or mentoring others through the process, this session will empower you to elevate your program.
Lead Presenter: Trisha Fiene-Spain
Emotional dysregulation is a barrier to learning, behavior, and connection. This session introduces the Chill & Charge Space, a trauma-informed, Tier 1–3 intervention model using mindfulness, movement, and Breathe For Change strategies. Grounded in SEL and equity, it helps students identify emotions, regulate effectively, and return to class ready to learn. Counselors will leave with tools to create spaces and embed wellness schoolwide.
Lead Presenter: Raquel Gillham
As school counselors leading the way, we’ll explore how to utilize Career & Technical Education to drive a comprehensive K–12 advising system that places students on purposeful pathways. Learn how to leverage data, engage families, and apply targeted supports to close access gaps, enhance equity, and connect every learner to real-world college and career opportunities.
Lead Presenter: Brittany Wheaton
Discover effective strategies for integrating social-emotional learning (SEL) into middle and high school settings. This session will explore developmentally appropriate approaches, address common implementation challenges, and provide practical tools to help students build emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and positive social skills. Ideal for educators looking to enhance student well-being and engagement through SEL.
Lead Presenter: Gaynell Lewis-Smith
What if supporting student well-being could be effective and fun? This session, aligned with the Texas and ASCA Models, shares practical, energizing ideas including school-wide initiatives, wellness weeks, to targeted small groups—that spark engagement and momentum. Whether you’re new or experienced, walk away inspired and equipped to make mental health support meaningful, impactful, and full of F.U.N.!
Lead Presenter: Lauren Discher
The My Texas Future platform, created by the THECB, is an innovative tool aimed at helping Texans explore higher education and career opportunities. This tool provides various resources, including personalized guidance on college and career preparation, the application processes, and understanding financial aid. During the session, THECB staff will highlight the innovative ways to explore Texas careers and higher education programs.
Lead Presenter: Rebecca Ponder
Learn how to support students through the transition to middle school. This session covers key developmental changes, common student concerns, and the counselor’s role in easing the shift. Explore proactive strategies, family and teacher engagement, and real-life success stories, with practical resources to take back to your school.
Lead Presenter: LaFarra Young
Long hours. Constant crisis. No time to recover. Burnout is silently draining school leaders—impacting focus, energy, and decision-making. In this session, Dr. LaFarra Young reveals the hidden biological cost of “pushing through” and introduces her RESET to Resilience method to help you restore clarity, stabilize energy, and lead with strength—without running on fumes.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Roberts
There’s nothing more stress-inducing than realizing you have an actively suicidal student sitting across from you. But how can you get upstream and identify challenges before there’s a crisis that does not cost an arm and a leg???? If you are looking for creative ways to influence your campus culture, climate and build connection, look no further. The power of Peer-to-Peer connection can put you in a proactive posture to make a difference.
Lead Presenter: Melanie Gordon
We’re Back! If you loved the original M.U.S.I.C. Box, get ready to turn up the volume! Designed to elevate student support and engagement, this dynamic session invites counselors to dive deeper into composing meaningful melodies, collaborating through rhythm, and building connection through creativity. You’ll leave energized and equipped with ready-to-use inspirational resources sprinkled with joy and a kids heart in mind. Let’s Rock!
Lead Presenter: Amanda Bustamante
If you’re looking for some impactful ideas to add to your school counseling toolbox, this is the session for you! These 2 school counselors are ready to share some tried and true tips, tricks, and tools that they use in their comprehensive programs year after year. Participants will walk away with innovative ideas for individual interventions, small group activities, and counseling lessons that are effective and meaningful.
Lead Presenter: Ashley Warren
Discover how brain science can transform your school counseling interventions! This engaging session explores the connections between the brain, emotions, and behavior, equipping counselors with easy-to-use strategies for emotional regulation, executive functioning, and trauma recovery. Expect humor, interactive discussions, and practical takeaways you can use immediately!
Lead Presenter: Denise Toro
Want to better support students who struggle to succeed? Join us for an energizing, hands-on session where you’ll explore how brain development, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the Learning Skills Pyramid impact learning. Walk away with practical, classroom-ready strategies to break down barriers and unlock your students’ full potential. Come ready to think, move, and make change happen!
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: LSSSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
