January 18-20, 2024
The Weston Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Two Grasslawn Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
We look forward to seeing you next year.
Details to come.
Our advisers are based right here in South Carolina, and our loans are exclusively for South Carolina students and parents as well as students attending local schools. We are in the community, meeting with parents, hosting events at high schools and visiting college campuses. We offer families and school leaders trustworthy, transparent and personalized service because we’re truly invested in your and our state. We’ve been helping South Carolina students achieve their goals for 50 years.
For more information please contact Destra Capers, Director of Outreach at dcapers@scstudentloan.org or (803) 612-5070.
The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics is a nationally ranked, two-year, public residential STEM high school. Students explore the subjects they love in a diverse, inclusive, and uncommonly supportive academic environment.
For more information please contact Ashley Koontz, Enrollment Coordinator at akoontz@governors.school or (843) 383-3901 ext. 3963.
Pre-Conference Speakers
Makenzie Perkins
Lisa King
TaReal Kee
Pre-Conference Speaker
Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
School counselors are uniquely positioned to be front line responders to students presenting in crisis. This workshop is designed to enhance a school counselor’s knowledge on current suicide statistics, explore strategies to provide effective screening, and demonstrate how to create meaningful safety plans. Special emphasis will be placed on empowering student voice through this process.
About the speaker:
Makenzie Perkins, MS, currently serves as the Counseling Specialist for Collierville Schools (TN). In this role she is responsible for coordinating and supervising school counseling, threat assessment, health facility transitions, and crisis response across the district. Previously she served as the Prevention Counselor at Collierville High School, where she helped students and staff navigate mental health concerns and crises at the largest high school in the state.
Makenzie is a National Certified Counselor and earned her Master of Science degree and Clinical Mental Health Specialist degree from the University of Memphis. She is passionate about training professionals in the areas of threat assessment and management, suicidality, school safety, loss and grief, and understanding the everchanging mental health needs of today’s youth.
Ms. Perkins will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Pre-Conference Speaker
Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Although today’s world presents many situations where outrage and adversity reign, we as educators can take an active role in helping students find their voice to advocate for themselves. Self-advocacy is an important skill (and sometimes a tricky skill to teach) that encourages our students to stand up for themselves by expressing their needs/feelings in a way that can be heard. Participants will learn easy-to-implement strategies to use in classroom lessons, small group, or individual sessions. The 3 components of self-advocacy will be highlighted: understanding ourselves, knowing our needs/rights, and effective communication skills. Participants will leave with structured ways to foster a community that encourages everyone to embrace their inner hero. We will also address how educators can advocate for their roles in the building.
About the speaker:
Lisa has worked with students developing and using innovative practices as a school counselor for 20 years. She has won numerous awards in her district and presented her programs at local, state and national conferences. Lisa has authored seven books including her latest book, Be Your Own Hero. Her other books include Mindset Matters, Integrating Growth Mindset In Schools, Academic Advisement Program, Teaching Career Essentials and How to Create A College Day. Lisa attended Tufts University for her undergraduate degree and Georgia State University for her graduate degrees. She lives in Marietta, GA (Atlanta suburb) with her husband and daughter.
Ms. King will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Pre-Conference Speaker
Thursday, January 18, 2024 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
School counseling programs must account for the rapidly changing school demographics. Students from multiple backgrounds have a variety of needs that standardized school counseling programs cannot address. Learn how school counselors can practice cross-cultural communication skills, utilize ASCA’s National Model from an equitable lens, identify student needs from an MTSS perspective, and use data to identify and remove equity barriers.
After attending this workshop, you should be able to:
About the speaker:
TaRael Kee is an assistant principal at Collinsville High School. He is also currently serving as President of the Illinois School Counselor Association. He recently became a Site-Based Trainer for the American School Counselor Association. As a former school counselor at CHS, he utilized data and technology to push the department to become more innovative, efficient, and inclusive. TaRael is a published author. He was named the Collinsville School District e-Educator of the Year (2017), recognized by College Board in (2018), received the Lindenwood Alumni Spotlight (2019), and was awarded Illinois School Counselor of the Year (2021). TaRael graduated from Lindenwood University with a specialist degree in Educational Leadership in May 2021.
Mr. Kee will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Session information coming soon.
Keynote Speaker
Tommie Mabry
Keynote Speaker
Friday, January 19, 2024 | 12:00 p.m.
This session will give strategies to provide a space for students to develop a positive perspective on their formal education. This interactive session will provide educators with real-world insight into how shifting their own perspective on their students, can transform the educational process. By taking a deep dive into what shapes students’ perspectives, educators can better understand the beliefs, values, and experiences of students who have been labeled as “troubled” or “at risk.”
This session will also allow participants to see the importance of being able to build trust with their students.
About the speaker:
Dr. Tommie Mabry grew up in one of Jackson, MS roughest neighborhoods. He was suspended or expelled from several schools due to his behavior. Things started to change for Tommie when he joined an AAU basketball league that traveled around the world. He received a full basketball scholarship to Missouri State University-West Plains and later received a B.A. cum laude in Education from Tougaloo College and his M.A. in Child Development. After his undergraduate studies, Tommie was hired as a teacher by the same Jackson Public School District that had suspended and expelled him many times during elementary and secondary education. He went on to get a Doctorate Degree – an Executive Ph. D. from Jackson State University in 2020 where he majored in Urban Higher Education. Tommie now travels the world sharing his story to motivate and inspire others.
Tentative
Thursday, January 18, 2024
1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration Open
1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Exhibits Open
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pre-Conference Learning Sessions
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. PSSCA Board Dinner and Meeting
Friday, January 19, 2024
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Registration Open
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Graduate Student Orientation
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Exhibits Open
8:30 a.m to 9:00 a.m. Opening Kickoff Session
9:00 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Breakout (Program) Session One
10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Breakout (Program) Session Two
11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Speaker – Tommie Mabry
1:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Breakout (Program) Session Three
2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Breakout (Program) Session Four
4:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Breakout (Program) Session Five
Saturday, January 20, 2024
8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Exhibits Open
8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Breakout (Program) Session Six
9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Break – Visit Exhibitors
9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Breakout (Program) Session Seven
10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Break – Final Chance to Visit Exhibitors
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Final Closing Celebration – Awards Ceremony, Annual Meeting, Closing PowerPoint Show & Door Prizes!
You can save on your conference registration by becoming a PSSCA member! Please visit the PSSCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership. Please contact PSSCA directly for all membership questions.
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 PSSCA Conference!
Professional / Affiliate Member*
$155
Student & Retiree Member*
$99
Non-Member
$205
Member*
$60
Save $15 if you register by November 26th!
Non-Member
$95
Save $10 if you register by November 26th!
*Your PSSCA membership must be good through January 20, 2024 to qualify for these rates.
**To qualify for the early registration discount, 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.
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.
Please Note: If we are forced to cancel the PSSCA 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 cancellation policy will be upheld: There will be no refunds after December 18, 2023. All cancellations before December 8, 2023 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. 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 PSSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
Register below online 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.
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VENUE & HOST HOTEL:
Two Grasslawn Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Reservation information coming soon.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, the Conference’s host hotel, has a conference rate of $123 a night for single occupancy and $143 a night for double occupancy (plus tax and resort fee of $5.00 per night). This rate is good on reservations made by January 4, 2024. Rooms are limited, and may fill up before January 4th cutoff. The conference rate includes breakfast vouchers to use for a full hot breakfast each morning. The resort fee includes a variety of complimentary amenities and benefits, including complimentary Wi-Fi in the hotel rooms.
Reservations can be canceled, without penalty, up to five days prior to arrival date; cancellations made inside of the five day window will incur a one night fee.
Inquiries can be sent to Raquel.D.Wood@westin.com.
You can also book a room by calling (888) 236-2427 or 843-681-4000 ext. 7302. If using the 1-800 number, choose Reservations. Once on the line with an agent mention you are with the Palmetto State School Counselor group.
VENUE & HOST HOTEL:
1 Dillon Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Reservation information coming soon.
The Hampton Inn has a conference rate of $119. This rate is good on reservations made by January 3, 2024. Rooms are limited, and may fill up before January 3rd cutoff.
You can also book a room by calling (800) HAMPTON or 843-681-7900 ext. 7900. Be sure to mention you are with the PSSCA Conference Overflow or the group code “P24.”
OVERFLOW HOTEL:
Reservation information coming soon.
You can also book a room by calling (800) HAMPTON or 843-681-7900 ext. 7900. Be sure to mention you are with the PSSCA Conference Overflow or the group code “CHHPSS.”
In the evening, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. There is so much to do on Hilton Head Island. Visit the Tanger Outlets for shopping at places like Ann Taylor, Coach, LOFT Outlet, or Pandora. Or you can visit Shelter Cover Harbor & Marina for shopping and dining on the water. Eat at the French cage, Bistro 17, or ELA’S On The Water for award-winner views and fresh seafood. Shelter Cove also has shopping at places like A&M Provisions, an upscale food market, and Nash Gallery for handcrafted jewelry, blown glass, ceramics, and furniture. Hilton Head Island has a variety of options for your entertainment.
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: PSSCA
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 PSSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
All intellectual property rights in and to the Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA) Annual Conference (“the Event”), the content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Event are owned by PSSCA 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 PSSCA or the presenting speaker.