December 3-5, 2025
Penn Stater Hotel & Convention Center
State College, PA
We look forward to having you join us at the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association Conference!
We hope to see you next year!
Lead Presenter: Dan St. Romain
Are you frustrated about dealing with the challenging behaviors of student, staff or parents? The first step in dealing with behavior is to adjust our perspective. This fun session will feature simple strategies for better understanding, and thus, supporting the behavior of others. This information has application on all levels (dealing with behaviors of students, parents, staff, administrators, family members…)
Lead Presenter: Zachary Watters
PSCA is looking to build and engage school counselor leaders! This inspiring and informative session is designed to educate and empower current and future leaders! We’ll explore ways to engage in our state association, offer insight into policy governance, and provide pathways to begin advocating for students and school counselors!
Lead Presenter: Julie Cerrito
This session will provide a review of the newly revised Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) School Counselor Preparation Standards for PK-12 School Counselors. Come learn how the teaching and training of the next generation of professional school counselors is impacted by these changes and what graduate programs and faculty need to do in order to successfully implement changes into their existing curriculum. Bring your questions to this panel for discussion!
Lead Presenter: Gabrielle (Gabby) Reilly
Resilience is seen as a factor of strength, although dominant narratives of resilience are often created through an individualistic lens that overlooks the systemic barriers that may be in place for students that cause them to become “resilient” in the first place. This session will examine how these dominant narratives can perpetuate inequity by ignoring a student’s cultural context and will highlight ways to expand resources that empower students to define what resilience is to them.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Kirk
In recent years, a range of challenges has created uncertainty in decision-making and leadership—not only within school counseling, but across the broader educational landscape. This session will integrate current research, historical context, ethical and legal guidance, and best practice recommendations to offer a comprehensive leadership framework. Counselors will gain the tools needed to lead with clarity and confidence, from their school buildings to the boardroom.
Lead Presenter: Karen Masood
Schools are uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact on students’ mental health. However, many U.S. school counseling programs are struggling to support this increased need due to lack of funding or staff. Our expert will provide insight into current trends surrounding teen mental health, present actionable strategies schools can take to help, share state and federal resources available for support and lead a collaborative session for peer discussion groups.
Lead Presenter: Shawna Griffin
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.
Lead Presenter: Marshall Nagy
Looking for resources and activities to incorporate with your elementary small group lessons? Join us as we model a variety of methods and resources to make your small group instruction engaging and meaningful for students. We will emphasize methods for fostering connections as we share practical ideas. You will leave with ideas and resources to take back to your school and use immediately!
Lead Presenter: Dan St. Romain
Are you frustrated about dealing with the challenging behaviors of student, staff or parents? The first step in dealing with behavior is to adjust our perspective. This fun session will feature simple strategies for better understanding, and thus, supporting the behavior of others. This information has application on all levels (dealing with behaviors of students, parents, staff, administrators, family members…)
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Barna
Have you ever wondered if the challenges you face in your school counseling program are similar to counselors in neighboring districts? Or, have you ever wished you knew if the roles and responsibilities of school counselors in your region were similar to or different from yours? In this presentation, school counseling practice data from a survey research study will be explored as a means to support understanding, collaboration, and change efforts.
Lead Presenter: Taja Peterkin-Mclean
This interactive session introduces school counselors to the powerful role of play therapy in supporting the emotional and developmental needs of Black and Brown children. Participants will explore foundational play therapy techniques that can be integrated into the school setting to promote healing, emotional regulation, and connection—especially for students who may struggle to express themselves verbally.
Lead Presenter: Colleen Tortorella
The “Platinum Rule” of grief support is an approach to grief communication that emphasizes treating the bereaved as they want and deserve to be treated in times of deep grief with a priority on empathy, active listening, and personalized support over generic or scripted expressions of sympathy. Counselors are key resources when supporting grieving students. Learning various theories helps the school counselor advocate for the needs of the grieving student and increase counselor self-efficacy.
Lead Presenter: Shawna Griffin
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.
Lead Presenter: Tazzarae Spivey-Mooring
This session specifically addresses the psychological, physical, and unique emotional challenges that Black male adolescents may face as they mature, particularly during their high school years. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability in this population. Given that suicide rates are increasing among adolescents in general, it is important to begin the discourse on how we can better support this special population.
Lead Presenter: Andrew Staszewski
Brick-by-Brick is a program that allows counselors to have a framework to work on social skills and communication skills through Lego. I will describe the program, explain my experiences with it, and answer any questions for those interested in the program. Brick-by-Brick can be used to work on a variety of skills. This is also a program that is data driven and research backed.
Lead Presenter: Michelle Strasser
Discover your own executive functioning skill strengths and challenges while learning how our school implemented a Tier 1 approach utilizing data to determine our building’s top concerns. Gain practical insights and strategies to boost student success through proactive, school-wide supports that you can implement with your students and staff.
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: Kim Karr
With social media increasingly contributing to anxiety, depression, and peer conflict among students, school counselors play a critical role in guiding healthy online habits. This session integrates social-emotional learning (SEL) and digital wellness strategies to prevent online harm, reduce digital drama, and strengthen relationships both in and beyond the classroom. By the end of this session, participants will understand the developmental stages of digital behavior and gain practical tools to proactively teach digital safety, citizenship, literacy, and wellness at every grade level.
Lead Presenter: Lisa Fulton
If you’re currently preparing your PA Diamond or RAMP application or thinking about applying and would like assistance, this session is designed for you. We’ll walk you through your questions and support you throughout the application process. Your school counseling program could be the next to join the growing list of Pennsylvania RAMP and Re-RAMP awardees. PA has proudly had at least one school earn RAMP every year since 2007. Will your school be next?
Lead Presenter: Averi Clarke
Explore how school counselors can be leaders in their communities to foster safe and responsible digital citizenship amongst students. The presentation evaluates free online digital citizenship programs and curricula that target schools and teachers to align them with the goals and standards of school counselors as outlined by ASCA. The presentation highlights how school counseling programs can proactively address students’ social-emotional development while navigating the digital world.
Lead Presenter: Perk Oettinger
We all come from different homes and environments—and so do our students. This breakout session takes a realistic, data-informed look at the average student’s school experience. Together, we’ll explore what these insights mean for us as educators and student advocates. We’ll also take time to appreciate the whole child, examining what new research reveals about brain development and its implications for teaching and learning
Lead Presenter: Melissa Gillard
Join fellow educators from Reading School District to uncover their journey of building a seamless K-8 college and career readiness program. We’ll share our firsthand experiences and practical strategies for captivating young learners and laying a powerful foundation for their future. This session will provide actionable steps for navigating new Career and Workforce (CEW) requirements, moving from multiple platforms to a single, integrated solution, and creating a legacy of student success for years to come.
Lead Presenter: Jane Hale
Multilingual Learners (MLs) are a population of students that are continually increasing each year, but are school counselors equipped and ready to meet the unique needs of these students? Learn about the history of MLs in US schools and their current experiences to have a better understanding of the landscape at hand. Explore specific counseling techniques and leave with strategies and tools aimed at emphasizing strengths and building resilience to improve how you support your MLs.
Lead Presenter: Christopher Corrato
This session will provide an overview of the Financial Aid Process and how to best assist/counsel students and families in how to apply for, understand, and evaluate the Financial Aid process.
Lead Presenter: Sean Galiczynski
Our elementary age youth our struggling to adapt to the social expectations in and out of the classroom. How many times have you heard from teachers about redirection in the classroom? How many times do you see students wandering aimlessly without peer support? Our youth are struggling, and since COVID it is clear these are struggles that go beyond developmental appropriateness. In this presentation, you will learn about a social skills group created for elementary age students.
Lead Presenter: Joe Behun
This session will examine inappropriate roles and responsibilities of the professional school counselor as determined by the American School Counselors Association and the potential for ethical and legal issues when school counselors are assigned specific job functions which fall outside of the boundaries of their competency and best practice standards.
Lead Presenter: Sandy Seaux
This presentation introduces school counselors to the McKinney-Vento Act, highlighting its purpose in protecting the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness. The session emphasizes practical ways counselors can provide support, coordinating with district McKinney-Vento liaisons, and fostering a welcoming school environment. By equipping counselors with this knowledge and actionable strategies, the presentation aims to empower them to remove barriers and promote opportunities.
Lead Presenter: Heather Swope
What if you had ways to get to know your students better while having fun and building positive rapport BEFORE you needed it? Attend this session to learn about the pay back of having fun with students in a systematic way that has great rewards! Your presenters are an affirmed introvert and a proud extrovert. Learn how they work as a team to create community within their high school! All are welcome – you will leave with ideas and experiences to share and use!
Lead Presenter: Matthew Shervington-Jackson
Data doesn’t have to be a dirty word! This session is for school counselors who know data is essential for a comprehensive program, but feel overwhelmed by how to collect, organize, and use it. Learn how to make data work for you using Google Suite (Forms, Sheets, Docs), engagement tools (Naviance, Pear Deck, Mentimeter, Kahoot), and AI supports like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini AI features. Discover low-stress strategies to track impact and simplify analysis—no spreadsheets degree required!
Lead Presenter: Lexi LaRegina
Every school counselor wants to see their students succeed after high school, but have you ever wondered how a gap year can be a part of that strategy? In this enlightening and actionable session, Adam will challenge your preconceived notions about what a gap year is and who it is for. We’ll explore how intentional gap years foster personal development, skillbuilding, and self-discovery in young adults that result in students who are more prepared to thrive in college and adulthood.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Janus
This presentation will guide attendees through the journey of developing a data-based and research-supported MTSS Tier 2 Social/Emotional System for Middle School Students. This presentation will include information regarding how we developed our small group counseling offerings through the use of data, Professional Development Opportunities that supported our success, along with the outcomes that we have measured to date. Join me in learning how your school, too, can make Tier 2 exist!
Lead Presenter: Steve Zaharakis
School counselors shape lives, strengthen school culture, and spark lasting change, often behind the scenes. This session empowers counselors to lead with clarity, advocate with confidence, and make their impact visible. Learn to document what matters, tell data-informed stories, and use evidence as a tool for advocacy, leadership, and growth. Grounded in the ASCA Model, with state-specific trends, this session helps every counselor build a legacy of excellence.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Ross
This session explores how PVAAS student projections can drive student-level planning and expand academic opportunities for all students. Participants will examine how to use PVAAS and other K–12 data to tailor programming, optimize resources, and meet each learner’s needs. Discover how strategic use of the PVAAS student projections supports academic initiatives that help all students reach their full potential!
Lead Presenter: Danielle Schultz
Self-care goes beyond bubble baths and spa days. It involves proactive, intentional practices that support physical, emotional, and mental well-being. For students, promoting self-care helps them manage stress, build healthy habits, and develop positive relationships. For educators, it can reduce burnout, boost productivity, and support a positive school culture. Discover creative ways to promote self-care through stand alone programs and integrate self-care into existing programs.
Lead Presenter: Larissa Valonis
As student mental health needs continue to intensify, school counselors play a critical role in leading prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts. This session explores how effective crisis response aligns with advocacy, leadership, and systemic change. Whether you’re building a crisis plan, refining district procedures, or seeking greater preparedness, you’ll gain tools, resources, and guidance to support students when they need it most.
Lead Presenter: Mark Kiselica
Recent research confirms that restorative practices are more effective than harsh disciplinary policies for reducing problematic student behaviors. Drawing from evidence-based initiatives, this session will explain how school counselors can use restorative practices with aggressive and oppositional students that hold them accountable for their transgressions by helping them make amends for the harm they have caused and learn communication, conflict resolution, and self-control skills.
Lead Presenter: Molly McDyer Morgan
Meeting our students where they are- on social media- invites school counselors and other educational professionals to dive into the rising social media paradox of anti-pro-self-harm content, and how social media platforms and posts can promote non-suicidal self-injury, eating disorders, and trauma triggers. Using the NSSI assessment tool, we discover the nefarious implications veiled by seemingly innocuous attempts to raise awareness among the internet’s most impressionable audiences.
Lead Presenter: Kellin McCullough
Discover how Dallastown Area and West Chester Area School Districts strengthen college and career readiness through streamlined dashboards and state-specific workflows. Learn how they use student data and surveys, map grade-by-grade activities, and meet PA Future Ready goals. Gain practical strategies to engage staff, streamline career planning, and empower students in their postsecondary paths.
Lead Presenter: Karen Rubican
The world of work is evolving faster than ever. How can our CSCPs keep pace? This session explores an innovative solution: harnessing the power of collective intelligence. We will introduce a dynamic model for crowdsourcing career clusters and other key school counseling components directly from colleagues, alumni, and the wider community. Discover how this data-driven approach can help you work smarter and not harder!
Lead Presenter: Amber Gunning
Students growing up in low socioeconomic households often face unique and complex challenges that can significantly impact their academic success and emotional well-being. Many of these students work hard to conceal their struggles, making it essential for school counselors and educators to recognize the signs and respond with empathy and strategic support. This session will examine these barriers and offer practical strategies for fostering an inclusive and supportive school environment.
Lead Presenter: Jenny Hubler
Small groups don’t happen unless you make them happen. To run a school counseling program rooted in the ASCA National Model, small groups must be part of your program. Learn to overcome barriers to small-group counseling, from feelings of self-doubt and scheduling logistics, to choosing curriculum and parent/guardian permission. This session will help you improve your small group delivery.
Lead Presenter: Naomi Morissette
Children and teens are increasingly growing up in a technology-driven world. For families, it can be tough to navigate screen use in the home – but school counselors can help! This presentation will discuss the benefits and detriments of screens on brain development, provide practical ways that school counselors can teach students about appropriate screen use, and support families in creating screen limits at home.
Lead Presenter: Jennifer Kirk
This session will equip high school counselors with effective strategies to guide students toward college and career readiness. Participants will explore best practices aligned with Pennsylvania requirements, including graduation pathways, Chapter 339 planning, career portfolios, and MTSS. The session offers actionable tools to support diverse student needs, enhance your comprehensive school counseling program, and ensure both compliance and post-secondary success for each and every student.
Lead Presenter: Christina Harris
Grief is part of the human experience and finds its way into every classroom and community. Although it is universal, the way we experience it is deeply personal. In a world where many have difficulty discussing these sensitive topics, school counselors can offer a safe place for students to feel seen, heard, and supported. Participants will: explore different types of losses, understand expressions of grief, and learn practical strategies they can use to support grieving students.
Lead Presenter: Alaina Schrader
This session will highlight the latest findings of the largest-of-its-kind national survey, The Girls’ IndexTM, which delves into the thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions of 17,000+ 5th-12th grade girls. This research sheds light on the unprecedented social, emotional, and personal challenges faced by today’s adolescent girls, including the impact of social media, stress culture, relationship navigation, and confidence issues on various aspects of their lives. This session will identify alarming trends, illuminate pressing concerns, and provide actionable insights to inspire immediate action.
Lead Presenter: Robert Jamison
The goal of this introspective session is for participants to think about diversity and equity through a more expansive lens. The presenter will review common terms used in schools, classrooms and organizations and how these terms relate to our behaviors. The session will also review things to consider when working with staff and students, and personal stories related to these topics will be shared. Participants will be asked to participate in individual, small and large group activities throughout the presentation.
Lead Presenter: Carol DeMarco
Through twenty-five years of school counseling, I developed a practice of educating and inspiring students, teachers, families, and administrators. My POWs or Pearls of Wisdom that I developed are sound byte pieces of advice that help conceptualize strategies in a usable way. In this presentation, I will share many of these POWS which can be used by counselors in their personal and professional lives. I did this presentation at the PSCA conference several years ago; people loved it!
Lead Presenter: Lisa Fulton
If you’re currently preparing your PA Diamond or RAMP application or thinking about applying and would like assistance, this session is designed for you. We’ll walk you through your questions and support you throughout the application process. Your school counseling program could be the next to join the growing list of Pennsylvania RAMP and Re-RAMP awardees. PA has proudly had at least one school earn RAMP every year since 2007. Will your school be next?
Lead Presenter: Kate Coulter
Looking for an easier way to meet all PA Future Ready standards without drowning in spreadsheets? Learn how West Chester School District tracks Career Standards efficiently while strengthening equity and post-secondary planning. We’ll also explore how a strong college and career readiness program can inform course offerings, support at-risk students, and guide every learner’s next step.
Lead Presenter: Stephen Sharp
Suicide is a leading cause of death for youth, especially our most vulnerable ones. Through this engaging session, participants will be introduced to a comprehensive, actionable framework that empowers school leaders, school counselors, and more. The evidence-based and integrated framework helps schools take a proactive, comprehensive suicide prevention approach with multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to help schools move upstream in their prevention efforts.
Lead Presenter: Amanda Tingle-Oline
This session will highlight the Interdimensional nature of college readiness for students who have learning differences. Our team will encourage the consideration of social-emotional, academic, and advocacy skills when supporting the LD student through the college process. Learn from the Director of College Counseling and the Upper School Counselor at AIM Academy who partner to provide holistic and realistic transition planning for students and families.
Lead Presenter: Kristen Boles
School counselors often face unique challenges without consistent support from their school communities. The PSCA Mentor Program was created to empower counselors at all career stages by fostering meaningful peer connections. This session will highlight the program’s purpose, structure, and how it differs from administrative support, with insights shared by current participants.
Lead Presenter: Michelle Shirey
This dynamic session dives into a collaborative, county-wide initiative that equips the business and school communities with a common language and resources to support integration. Career Ready Lancaster’s framework, the High 5—Resilience, Integrity, Problem Solving, Communication, and Teamwork puts essential skills in the forefront. Real world scenario cards give students the opportunity to create relevant solutions. Leave inspired to bridge the school-to-work gap!
Lead Presenter: Alaina Schrader
If classroom lessons feel intimidating, you’re not alone! This interactive session will equip you with simple, creative strategies to boost student engagement, handle behavior smoothly, and make your classroom lessons unforgettable. You’ll leave feeling energized, confident, and ready to step into classrooms as your authentic self—showing students that learning with the school counselor can be fun, dynamic, and memorable.
Lead Presenter: David Skowronski
This session will allow participants to establish an understanding of trauma, its impact, and prevalence in school communities; and encourage new mindsets about students and their experiences of trauma and toxic stress. Participants will learn trauma-informed, resilience-oriented Tier I, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions and supports to foster safety and learning, to build relationships, and implement resilience-building student strategies.
Lead Presenter: Melissa Gillard
Student mental health challenges require not just support—but synergy. This session explores how school counselors and social workers can move beyond coexistence toward deeply integrated collaboration. Learn to clarify roles, build proactive systems, and align within a tiered framework of support. Whether you’re building from the ground up or refining a seasoned student services team, you’ll gain practical strategies, case examples, and tools to strengthen your impact and unify your approach.
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: PSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
The Lead Presenter will receive all communications regarding your breakout session and will be responsible for sharing it with co-presenters, if any.
All intellectual property rights in and to the PSCA Annual Conference (“the Event”), the content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Event are owned by the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association and/or the Event sponsors or speakers presenting at the Event. You may not use or reproduce or allow anyone to use or reproduce any trademarks or other trade names appearing at the Event, in any Event content and/or in any materials distributed at or in connection with the Event for any reason without the prior written permission of Pennsylvania School Counselors Association or the presenting speaker.
