November 6-8, 2024
Embassy Suites Resort & Convention Center
Concord, NC

November 6-8, 2024
Embassy Suites Resort & Convention Center
Concord, NC

Join us for the NCSCA Conference
November 6-8, 2024
Register to Attend
Dynamic Speakers
Gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Featured Speakers
50+ Exhibitors
Meet with exhibitors to get valuable resources and information for your school.
Register to Attend
Network and be Refreshed
Get a much needed break and find encouragement from hundreds of school counselors across the state.
Register to Attend
Engaging Breakout Sessions
Multiple breakout sessions available to gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Register to Attend
Previous slide
Next slide
Join us for the NCSCA Conference
November 6-8, 2024
Register to Attend
Dynamic Speakers
Gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Featured Speakers
50+ Exhibitors
Meet with exhibitors to get valuable resources and information for your school.
Register to Attend
Network and be Refreshed
Get a much needed break and find encouragement from hundreds of school counselors across the state.
Register to Attend
Engaging Breakout Sessions
Multiple breakout sessions available to gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Register to Attend
Previous slide
Next slide
Join us for the NCSCA Conference
November 6-8, 2024
Register to Attend
Dynamic Speakers
Gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Featured Speakers
50+ Exhibitors
Meet with exhibitors to get valuable resources and information for your school.
Register to Attend
Network and be Refreshed
Get a much needed break and find encouragement from hundreds of school counselors across the state.
Register to Attend
Engaging Breakout Sessions
Multiple breakout sessions available to gain insights, inspiration, and effective plans of action.
Register to Attend
Previous slide
Next slide

Don't miss North Carolina's premier conference for school counselors!

Days
Hours
Minutes

Thanks for joining us for the 2023 Lone Star State School Counselor Association Conference!​

We hope to see you next year!

SAVE THE DATE!

Details to come.

SPONSORED BY

Learn more about our Sponsors

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina provided by a collaboration of Pathways at UNC Greensboro, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc. CFNC promotes access to North Carolina higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning, and applying and paying for college. For more information please contact Timeka Ruffin, CFNC Regional Representative at (704) 281-3437 or Timeka.Ruffin@cfi.org.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

DialCare is a virtual and telephonic counseling service. You can give your students ages 11 and older access to mental health assistance no matter where they are. Members can use their phone, tablet or computer for sessions with mental health professionals from the comfort of their home or on the go. Let our mental health professionals help give you peace of mind.

For more information contact Becca Bean, Senior Vice President at beccab@dialcare.com.

.

QuaverReady is an online program designed to help all students succeed in school. It includes an evidence-based social and emotional learning curriculum and intervention and behavioral resources. 

For more information contact Colleen Storey at (629) 702-7060 or ColleenStorey@QuaverEd.com.

SchooLinks is a modern college and career readiness platform that supports districts’ implementation of a comprehensive curriculum and framework to prepare students for the post-secondary pathway of their choice.  Containing more than eighty interactive student experiences from interest discoveries, academic planning, and soft skill development – SchooLinks offers internship matching, career mentorship, industry partner management, and more to help districts support holistic postsecondary readiness. Our unified solution supports North Carolina’s initiatives for improved student outcomes and postsecondary readiness.  

For more information, please contact Tyler Woodall at twoodall@schoolinks.com

.
.

Innovation Guide

.
Talkspace for Teens is an online therapy service that connects individuals 13+ to a dedicated, licensed mental health therapist through private messaging, live sessions, or both from the privacy and convenience of their computer or smartphone. Users can regularly message their Talkspace therapists via text, voice, or video as life happens — anywhere, anytime. Talkspace also offers virtual resources and online classes designed to improve teen mental health. For more information contact Lea Krugolets, Senior Director of Youth Programs at Lea.Krugolets@talkspace.com or (716) 864-7685.
.

Xello is an engaging, online program that helps K-12 students define their future goals and transform their aspirations into actionable plans for success.  

It helps them build self-knowledge, explore their options, create a plan, and develop the skills needed to thrive in the world of work.

For more information please contact Oliver Browne, Territory Manager at oliverb@@xello.world

.

SPEAKERS

We have many dynamic speakers who will be speaking at the conference. Check back soon!

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Russ Sabella

Russell Sabella headshot

Michael McGill, Jr.

Michael McGill headshot

Pre-Conference Keynote Session (open to all attendees)
November 6, 2024| 3:30 p.m.

Join us for an insightful keynote presentation that delves into the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the context of school counseling. This engaging session is designed for school counselors seeking to comprehend the fundamentals of AI and its application in their profession. Dr. Sabella will equip school counselors with the knowledge and insights needed to leverage AI effectively, fostering a future-ready approach to school counseling. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the transformative potential of AI in shaping the future of your work.

 


 

Dr. Russell Sabella is currently a Professor of Counseling in the College of Health Professions & Social Work, Florida Gulf Coast University and President of Sabella & Associates. He is well known for his Technology Boot Camp for Counselors workshops conducted throughout the country. Dr. Sabella is Past President (2003-2004) of the American School Counselor Association. He has trained and consulted with thousands of school counselors, educators, parents, and organizational leaders throughout the country.

Russ is the co-author of two books entitled Confronting Sexual Harassment Learning Activities for Teens and Counseling in the 21st Century: Using Technology to Improve Practice. He is also the author of the popular SchoolCounselor.comA Friendly and Practical Guide to the World Wide Web as well as GuardingKids.comA Practical Guide to Keeping Kids Out of High Tech Trouble.

Russ will also be presenting two breakout sessions on Thursday.

Opening Keynote Session
November 7, 2024| 8:30 a.m.

It’s time to re-imagine how you see yourself and how you see those whom you serve. In this riveting, thought-provoking, and inspiring keynote, Michael will take you on a journey exploring what it means to positively plant seeds that produce a fruitful harvest. Transforming the culture of our organizations can begin with us and how we show up every day. What if we really do have the power to change the world by changing one life? What if a student’s future is tied to how we see them, support them, and nurture them? What if we can make radical transformation by the ways in which we show up? Every seed that we plant will produce a harvest, so let’s enhance our gardening tools together and shine as school counselors! 

 


 

Michael McGill, Jr. is a keynote speaker, award-winning and nationally board-certified psychotherapist, life teacher, T.V personality, and writer. As a wellness advocate with a background in education, social psychology, and a post-graduate background in clinical mental health counseling (with honors) from Johns Hopkins University where he was both educated and trained, McGill works with leaders, businesses, schools, and community organizations on topics of wellness, self-improvement, human relationships, and ways to develop powerful human connections. Michael’s talks are filled with principles of self-awareness and self-growth. He also works with organizations on ways to enhance their climate & culture through fruitful relationship building; as a result, they are able to build community, create connection, and increase their impact on those whom they serve. Michael regularly appears on TV morning shows across the country where he discusses how we can live, love, and lead well! As a lifelong student of healthy relationships & human development, as well as an overcomer of deep tragedy and sorrow, Michael is an unrelenting optimist who believes that we can be great individually, but we can be unshakably extraordinary when we commune in healthy relationships with others. He’s ready to support you with tapping into the power within!

Michael will also be presenting a breakout sesion (A Fireside Chat) after his keynote.

Pre-Conference Speakers

Andrea Burston

Andrea Burston headshot

Shawna Griffin

Shawna Griffin headshot

Ginger Healy

Ginger Healy headshot

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.

Core Skills Building Workshop Speakers

Matthew Berry

Matthew Berry headshot

Loren Dittmar

Loren Dittmar headshot

Meredith Draughn

Meredith Draughn headshot

Sejal Foxx

Sejal Foxx headshot

Core Skills Building Workshop
November 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Repeated 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

A planned lunch. An organized small group. A Friday afternoon. What do these things have in common? It’s that sometimes It Never Fails that our best-laid plans lead to an unexpected next crisis. It’s just part of being a school counselor. But what about all those things you do that “never fail” to lead to success? Listen as Matt shares how collaborative relationships, advocacy and well articulated goals lead to purpose and program success.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

  • Identify and utilize the Five Never Fails in school counseling.
  • Learn how to accept challenges by considering them learning opportunities.
  • Identify your boundaries and embed your own self-care strategies.

 


 

Matthew Berry is the Coordinator of K-12 Counseling for the second largest school district in Missouri. He is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to learning that enhances their academic and social emotional needs. He is often sought to speak to students, educators, and leaders on a variety of topics.

Core Skills Building Workshop
November 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Repeated 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

School Mental Health has become a high priority in society, and the opportunity for School Counselors to lead the way has emerged!  Our students need increasing support from a lens that is deeply attuned to the emotional challenges they face. This Trauma-Informed lens can be taught, strengthened, and shared.  Join this session to learn how you can train all staff to go beyond the surface and truly see each child from a magnified empathic lens.

 


 

Dr. Loren Dittmar is a Professional School Counselor with 22 years of experience, including 17 years in schools and 5 years in clinical settings. He is the Director of School Counseling at a Title 1 high school in Charleston, SC. Loren is also an adjunct professor with 8 years of teaching experience. He is the current Director of the Emerging Leaders Program for the Palmetto State School Counselors Association and Co-Director of the PSSCA annual conference.  Dr. Dittmar previously served on the Board of Directors of the California Association of School Counselors, and with his PhD in Psychology, he served as their lead expert in the development of the mental health section of the covid19k12counseling.org website.

Dr. Dittmar is a sought-after conference presenter on the topics of school mental health and suicide prevention. With his personal and professional experiences of loss due to suicide, his audiences not only have an incredibly moving experience, but walk away with practical tools and resources.

Loren has been married for 13 years to his wife, Cami, and they have 4 children, ages 9 through 20. Together they have fostered several children and their journey of raising an ‘expanded version’ of a family has brought a unique and real-world perspective to Loren’s presentations on various educational topics.

Core Skills Building Workshop
November 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Repeated 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Join 2023 ASCA School Counselor of the Year Meredith Draughn as she shares her journey of design­ing a successful school counselor/principal partnership for empowering students. Learn practical strategies for build­ing a collaborative and supportive relationship between principals and school counselors. By establishing a strong partnership, schoolwide involvement and ownership in the success of the school counseling program can be achieved, leading to a blueprint for empowering students to thrive academically and socially/emotionally.

 


 

Meredith Draughn is the 2023 American School Counseling Association’s School Counselor of the Year. She was previously selected as North Carolina’s 2021-2022 School Counselor of the Year. She has 9 years of experience at both the elementary, middle and high school levels. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University in Health and Exercise Science and her master’s degree from Appalachian State University in Professional School Counseling. Meredith is a National Board Certified School Counselor and is an ASCA School Counseling Leadership Specialist; Mental Health Specialist; Anxiety & Stress Management Specialist; Cultural Competency Specialist; and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist. She is currently the sole school counselor at B. Everett Jordan Elementary School, which earned RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) recognition in 2021.

Core Skills Building Workshop
November 8, 2024
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Repeated 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

School counselors are so committed to their students, that self-care can often take a back seat. Ignoring one’s wellness can lead to stress, and even worse, burnout. Come and learn about the physiological impacts of stress and burnout. Learn about and experience mindfulness techniques that you can use daily and incorporate with your students. This session is interactive so come with an open mind and get ready to de-stress!

 


 

Dr. Sejal Parikh Foxx is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is also the Founder and Director of the Urban School Counseling Collaborative. She is co-author of School Counseling in the 21st Century. In 2015, she received the Counselor Educator of the Year Award from the North Carolina School Counselor Association. Dr. Foxx has presented over 160 conference presentations, invited workshops, and district trainings.

Prior to becoming a faculty member, Dr. Foxx was a high school and elementary school counselor in Florida. She worked in Title 1 settings and developed a passion for student advocacy, data-driven school counseling, and post-secondary readiness services.

More speakers will be presenting at the conference. Check back soon!

SCHEDULE

Tentative

The conference takes place on Wednesday, November 6 - Friday, November 8. Check back soon for a detailed schedule!

REGISTRATION

We are excited to have you join us!
Save the date! Registration will open soon.

Advanced Registration Deadline:
October 18, 2023

Become a Member

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.

Supervisor Approval Letter

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 | November 6-8

Main Conference registration includes access to the Pre-Conference General Session on Wednesday, November 6th at 3:30 p.m. Please register for the Pre-Conference sessions separately.

Professional Member*

$145

Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**

Student & Retiree Member*

$110

Save $5 if you register by September 30th!**

Non-Member

$235

Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**

Onsite registration adds $10 to the rates, so register now! Details on the registration form below.

Thursday Only | November 7

Professional Member*

$115

Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**

Student & Retiree Member*

$90

Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**

Non-Member

$210

Save $10 if you register by September 30th!**

Onsite registration adds $10 to the rates, so register now! Details on the registration form below.

Pre-Conference | November 6

Member*

$35

Non-Member

$90

*You must have a NCSCA Membership good through November 8, 2024 to receive the Member Price. 

**To qualify for the Early Registration Rate, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the Early Registration cutoff date.  

Online Registration has Closed

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 2024 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 6, 2024. There is a 20% processing fee for refunds requested prior to August 31, 2024 and a 50% processing fee for all refunds requested September 1 – October 6,  2024. 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

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.

ACCOMMODATIONS

VENUE & HOST HOTEL

Embassy Suites Resort and Convention Center

5400 John Q. Hammons Dr. NW
Concord, NC 28027 

Map

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.

North Carolina School Counselor Association Conference Embassy Suites exterior

Make Hotel Reservations Early! Limited Availability!

Come Learn and Play!

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!

CONTACT INFORMATION

866.318.6294

Fax 423.899.4547

registrations@ncyi.org

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.