November 5-7, 2025
Embassy Suites Resort & Convention Center
Concord, NC
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
ALL PRO DAD® is the fatherhood program of Family First, a non-profit organization encouraging every parent to be actively involved in the lives of their children. The ALL PRO DAD® School Chapter program is an exciting and impactful monthly experience that builds great relationships and transforms school communities.
For more information, please contact Keith Schumacher, School Engagement Specialist at (678) 859-6139 and keith.schumacher@familyfirst.net.
ALL PRO DAD® is the fatherhood program of Family First, a non-profit organization encouraging every parent to be actively involved in the lives of their children. The ALL PRO DAD® School Chapter program is an exciting and impactful monthly experience that builds great relationships and transforms school communities.
For more information, please contact Keith Schumacher, School Engagement Specialist at (678) 859-6139 and keith.schumacher@familyfirst.net.
Pre-Conference Keynote Session
November 5, 2025 | 3:30 p.m.
(Open to all attendees)
In this presentation, TaReal uses his life story to provide educators with inspiration and strategies to become agents of change for themselves, their students, and school communities.
TaRael Kee is currently the principal of West Elementary School. He is deeply passionate about building community, challenging students to think critically, and working collaboratively with staff. At West Elementary, he is committed to upholding the school’s standard of excellence.
Previously, TaRael served as an Assistant Principal and Director of School Counseling at Alton High School, where he led the English Department in adopting a highly engaging curriculum and spearheaded the Automatic Acceleration process, allowing many students to access honors courses and more rigorous curricula. He also has a strong background in student support services, providing comprehensive college and career advising, academic planning, and social-emotional learning.
TaRael is a past-president of the Illinois School Counselor Association and a Site-Based Trainer for the American School Counselor Association. As a former school counselor at Collinsville High School, he utilized data and technology to make the counseling department more innovative, efficient, and inclusive. He is a published author and has received several accolades, including the Collinsville School District e-Educator of the Year (2017), recognition by the College Board (2018), the Lindenwood Alumni Spotlight (2019), and Illinois School Counselor of the Year (2021). He graduated from Lindenwood University with a specialist degree in Educational Leadership in May 2021.
TaRael will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Opening Keynote Session
November 6, 2025 | 8:30 a.m.
Are you an educator feeling stuck in a rut? Do you yearn for a sense of purpose in your work? “Passion. Purpose. Position” – a call to action for educators to unleash their unique gifts and transform their communities. Join Ashley for an inspiring keynote session where you’ll discover how to harness your passion, find your purpose, and position yourself as a change agent in education.
When you identify your strengths and align them with your goals, you’ll truly discover the impact you can have in your school and beyond, and leave a legacy with every individual you encounter. Become transformed and motivated to make a difference in the lives of your students, staff, and community.
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Ashley Wright has been an educator since 2008. She graduated from Sam Houston State University and currently serves as a certified school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her experience as an elementary classroom teacher helped her realize students were having endless challenges dealing with home, school, and peers. Inspired to serve more students, she became a school counselor, connecting with them both at school and in the community. This role allowed her to provide broader social-emotional support, equipping students with tools to build resilience and stronger relationships.
Ashley’s commitment to fostering inclusive and comprehensive educational programs has made a significant impact on countless students, families, and educators at the national level. Her exemplary efforts were recognized when she was honored as a 2022 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist and the 2021 Texas School Counselor of the Year. She is also the author of Passion, Purpose, and Position: Reignite Your Passion, Deepen Your Calling, and Lead Positive Change. In addition to school counseling, Ashley serves as a national speaker and advocate of the profession to teach students and educators to embrace diversity, increase self-esteem, build character, and maintain resilience. It is her divine belief that “Every human being has the unlimited potential to make positive change in one’s life.”
Ashley will also be presenting a breakout session.
Closing Keynote Session
November 7, 2025| 8:30 a.m.
School counselors live in GIVE GIVE GIVE world! In order to survive, we must take care of ourselves. In this interactive, uplifting, fun-filled talk, Julia Cook identifies the key ingredients of mental wellness. She will also offer effective strategies for building and maintaining well-being. Enjoy listening as you grow STRONGER TOGETHER! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry… but most important you will walk away with tools you can use for a lifetime of healthy!
According to the World Health Organization, the definition of mental wellness is living in a state of well-being in which people:
When you work in the kid-building world…this is a tall order to maintain!
Julia Cook, M.S. is a national award-winning children’s author, counselor, and parenting expert. She has presented in thousands of schools nationally and internationally, regularly speaks at education and counseling conferences, and has published almost one hundred children’s books on a wide range of character and social development topics. The goal behind Cook’s work is to actively involve young people in fun, memorable stories and teach them to become lifelong problem solvers. Inspiration for her books comes from working with children and carefully listening to counselors, parents, and teachers, in order to stay on top of needs in the classroom and at home. Cook has the innate ability to enter the worldview of a child through storybooks, giving children both the “what to say” and the “how to say it.”
Julia will also be presenting a breakout session.
Pre-Conference Session (additional cost)
November 6, 2024| 12:00 p.m.
Whether you’re in your 1st or 21st year of school counseling things are constantly changing. Learn tips and best practices in creating and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. Tips include creative ways to connect with stakeholders, getting organized and securing funding for counselor programs. Join this helpful and interactive session with tools you will be able to implement immediately!
Andrea Burston is a former high school computer/technology teacher turned elementary school counselor. She is the school counselor for Wake County Public Schools working at JY Joyner IB Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, NC. Andrea is also the writer of the jyjcounselor blog where she shares her enjoyment of her career as well as many counselor ideas with school counselors from all over the world. She loves using technology and is always looking for new and innovative ways to integrate technology into her school counseling program. Andrea has presented at various conferences and workshops on using technology in counseling programs.
Pre-Conference Session (additional cost)
November 6, 2024| 12:00 p.m.
This session will explore the impact of trauma, ACES, and discuss ways to implement trauma-informed practices. Also, the importance of resilience, a brief look at the brain science of escalation and de-escalation and specific de-escalation & resilience focused strategies.
Shawna Griffin began her career in education in 2003. Since her start as a classroom teacher, she has held positions as a PBIS District Director and District Behavior Interventionist. Shawna believes that a team approach is vital in creating the best educational environment for all learners. School staff, students, and caregivers who work together to create and routinely monitor plans they’ve created help students succeed. Shawna blends her teaching experiences with the latest research to share practical tools and strategies with educators and administrators to meet the needs of all students. Her credentials include Ed.S. in Special Education Leadership, Licensed Restorative Practices Trainer through the International Institute of Restorative Practices and Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner for Education through STARR Commonwealth.
Pre-Conference Session (additional cost)
November 6, 2024| 12:00 p.m.
Ginger brings hope into classrooms by teaching the importance of educator regulation and co-regulation strategies. Ginger makes neuroscience accessible and shares the three steps of the regulation cycle that can bring calm and healing into the classroom. She demonstrates how regulation of the educator’s nervous system is crucial in managing the behaviors and big feelings in the classroom while sharing easy-to-implement strategies that can work for any child. This session will empower educators to lower the stress levels of both students and themselves.
Ginger Healy MSW, LCSW is a clinical social worker with almost 30 years of experience in the field of social work. Ginger has worked as a child abuse investigator, hospital social worker, and school therapist. She spent 15 years as the social service supervisor at an international adoption agency and was able to travel to provide support for orphanages all over the world. This job taught her so much about attachment and trauma needs in children. She currently works as the program director for the Attachment and Trauma Network where she co-anchors the podcast “Regulated & Relational” and speaks across the nation on trauma-informed schools, therapeutic parenting, and community engagement. She is also the author of 15-Minute Focus: Regulation and Co-Regulation and accompanying workbook. She is married with four children who have been her greatest teachers about developmental trauma and special needs. She loves to travel and read.
Tentative
7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. On-Site Conference Registration and Information Desk Open
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. NCSCA Delegate Assembly
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Exhibitors Setup
11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Leadership Day Meeting
12:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Pre-Conference Sessions
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Snack Break with Exhibitors
1:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pre-Conference General Session with Keynote Speaker – TyRael Kee (Open to all conference attendees)
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. On-Site Conference Registration and Information Desk Open
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Silent Auction
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Opening Session Kick Off: Welcome, Introduction, Regional Roll Call, Updates & Awards with Keynote Speaker – Ashley Wright
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break with Exhibitors
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Program Session 1
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Boxed Lunches (Name Badge Required)
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Past Presidents Luncheon
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Graduate Student Luncheon and Panel
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Program Session 2
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Graduate Student Poster Sessions
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Program Session 3
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Break with Exhibitors
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Program Session 4
4:40 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. Regional Meetings
5:10 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Celebration Reception & Silent Auction
You can save on your conference registration by becoming a member of the NCSCA! New members can join and get an immediate membership ID number. The money you save on the conference registration will pay for your annual dues. Visit the NCSCA website BEFORE registering to get your member number.
Do you need help justifying this conference to your Supervisor? Vying for a good funding source can be challenging sometimes. We have created a letter (modeled from ASCA) you can customize to support your efforts to attend the 2024 NCSCA Conference!
Main Conference registration includes access to the Pre-Conference General Session on Wednesday, November 5th at 3:30 p.m. Please register for the Pre-Conference sessions separately.
Professional Member*
$160
Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**
Student & Retiree Member*
$125
Save $5 if you register by September 30th!**
Non-Member
$250
Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**
Onsite registration adds $10 to the rates, so register now!**
Professional Member*
$125
Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**
Student & Retiree Member*
$100
Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**
Non-Member
$220
Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**
Onsite registration adds $10 to the rates, so register now!**
Member*
$45
Non-Member
$100
*You must have a NCSCA Membership good through November 7, 2025 to receive the Member Price.
**To qualify for the Early or Regular Registration Rates, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the cutoff dates.
The online registration portal is now closed, but we will be accepting on-site registration at the event. Please bring the Registration Form (see below to download) with your method of payment to the conference.
To pay with a check or purchase order please download the registration form and send it in with your check or purchase order. Registrations cannot be processed without payment. Contact us with questions.
WAIVER OF LIABILITY: The signed, in consideration of his/her registration of the 2025 NCSCA Fall Conference, releases, holds harmless and discharges the association, management staff and their agents, from any and all actions, claims and demands which may arise out of an accident, casualty or occurrence during said convention. Your registration submission above acknowledges acceptance of these provisions of registration for all those listed on this form.
PROCESSING FEE: There will be a $35 service charge for all returned checks and declined credit cards.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If we are forced to cancel the NCSCA Conference because of a “force majeure” event, such as a government restriction on large gatherings that cover the intended size of the conference, then we will issue full refunds of the registrations. Otherwise, our normal cancelation policy will be upheld: Requests for refunds must be received in writing. No refund requests will be granted after October 5, 2025. There is a 20% processing fee for refunds requested prior to August 31, 2025 and a 50% processing fee for all refunds requested September 1 – October 5, 2025. Send cancellation requests to the NCSCA Treasurer at treasurer@ncschoolcounselor.org. The association is not responsible for and cannot give refunds due to problems beyond its control, such as weather and school closings.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The NCSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
Register online below using a credit card, or download the registration form and send it in with your payment.
To pay with a check or purchase order please download the registration form and send it in with your check or purchase order. Registrations cannot be processed without payment. Contact us with questions.
VENUE & HOST HOTEL
5400 John Q. Hammons Dr. NW
Concord, NC 28027
Reservation information coming soon.
The Embassy Suites, the Conference’s host hotel, has a conference rate of $169 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by October 21, 2024, while rooms are available. The price includes full, cook-to-order breakfast and evening Manager’s Reception.
You can also book a room by calling (972) 712-7200. Press #1 for Reservations. Please be sure to mention the “92V” group code.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
7601 Scott Padgett Pkwy
Concord, NC 28027
The Residence Inn by Marriott has a conference rate of $159 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by October 25, 2024, while rooms are available. The price includes a full hot breakfast.
You can also book a room by calling (704) 454-7862. Be sure to mention group code “NCSNCSA” to get the discounted conference rate.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
7201 Scott Padgett Pkwy
Concord, NC 28027
The Courtyard has a conference rate of $159 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by October 5, 2024, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling (704) 453-2600. Be sure to mention group code “NCSNCSK” to get the discounted conference rate.
In the evening, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Visit Concord Mills, just minutes away and in walking distance from the Embassy Suites! You can sit back and relax at the many restaurants at Concord Mills, such as Bonefish Grill, Dave and Busters and Outback Steakhouse, along with others. Enjoy shopping at the Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Nike Factory Store, Banana Republic Factory Store, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Tommy Bahama Outlet, and many more! Concord Mills also has a 24-screen AMC move theater, so you can finally watch that movie you have been wanting to see.
You can also visit Gibson Mill! Gibson Mill is a renovated mill that made a wide variety of fabrics a century ago. When you go today you can visit The Depot, an antique mall. Or visit one of their two craft breweries, Cabarrus Brewing Company or High Branch Brewing Company.
We hope this conference will educate and equip you to do your job well, and we also hope you will take advantage of the wonderful ways you can relax and be refreshed!
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: NCSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
Make all checks and purchase orders payable to:
National Center for Youth Issues
The Attendee will receive an email confirmation to the email address provided when their registration is processed. (Make sure to check Junk/Spam folders.) Please allow ample time for processing.
Please contact NCSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
