We look forward to seeing you next year!
Details to come.
Details to come.
Click the sponsor logo to learn more about that sponsor.
We’re finalizing an exciting lineup of educators and thought leaders to create a meaningful conference experience. Check back soon for speak annoucements.
January 29, 2027 | 12:00 p.m.
School counseling leaders are deeply committed to supporting students, staff, and systems—but too often, that commitment comes at the expense of their own well-being. In an era of increasing demands, secondary trauma, and role overload, prioritizing mental health is no longer optional—it is a leadership imperative.
This session explores 10 practical, research-informed strategies school counseling leaders can use to protect their mental health while sustaining high-impact leadership. Participants will examine common stressors unique to counseling leadership roles and learn actionable approaches related to boundaries, mindset, workload management, relational support, and systemic self-advocacy. Designed to be immediately applicable, this session equips leaders with tools to model healthy practices for their teams while increasing personal resilience and long-term effectiveness.
Kat will also be presenting a breakout session.
Kat has passionately served as a student and educator advocate for over 20 years in the roles of coach, student council advisor, school counselor at the secondary level and financial aid counselor/coordinator of student employment and adjunct professor at the post-secondary level. Through Kat’s leadership, her school counseling department received both state and national recognition, including the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) RAMP recognition in 2020. Kat has facilitated professional development with various state and national associations, along with individual schools and districts. Kat exudes a commitment to community, having served on numerous local, state and national associations, boards and committees. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Masters in Education in Student Affairs and School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Kat was named the ASCA 2016 National School Counselor of the Year and Northern Arizona University’s President’s Alumni Awardee in 2021.
January 28, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
Students can often appear socially integrated, but instead they feel unseen or unsafe in the learning environment. In that mindset they struggle, and sometimes, refuse to engage in learning.
This workshop introduces practical ways educators can diagnose disconnection, distinguish healthy solitude from harmful isolation, and build school-wide systems of consistent relational experiences that foster a culture of belonging.
Participants leave with simple, actionable strategies to help student brains thrive as they anticipate safety, engage in positive relational connections, and develop a readiness to learn.Participants leave with simple, actionable strategies to help student brains thrive as they anticipate safety, engage in positive relational connections, and develop a readiness to learn.
Amy will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Dr. Amy Baltimore is a former missionary kid who grew up experiencing first-hand what it is like to serve the needs of children with deep developmental trauma. She began her career by leaning into her passion for supporting the positive growth and development of students through school counseling. As time went on, she realized the adults need just as much support as the students. So, she stepped into the role of serving as a district leader for school counseling… currently with Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Her professional experiences also include serving on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee School Counselor Association, and on advisory councils for the Tennessee Department of Education. She has been an adjunct professor and frequent speaker at various higher ed events and state conferences. She is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and a certified trainer for Restorative Practices, Building Strong Brains (ACEs/PCEs), The 6 Pillars of Trauma-Informed Schools, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Amy is happily married and has two amazing children who have grown and flown. She loves any activity involving sunshine and warm weather. On any given sunny day, you can find her at the lake on her paddleboard, or on a bicycle riding the greenway, or hiking with her husband toward one of the many waterfalls found in Middle Tennessee.
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
January 28, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
Students can often appear socially integrated, but instead they feel unseen or unsafe in the learning environment. In that mindset they struggle, and sometimes, refuse to engage in learning.
This workshop introduces practical ways educators can diagnose disconnection, distinguish healthy solitude from harmful isolation, and build school-wide systems of consistent relational experiences that foster a culture of belonging.
Participants leave with simple, actionable strategies to help student brains thrive as they anticipate safety, engage in positive relational connections, and develop a readiness to learn.Participants leave with simple, actionable strategies to help student brains thrive as they anticipate safety, engage in positive relational connections, and develop a readiness to learn.
Dr. Amy Baltimore is a former missionary kid who grew up experiencing first-hand what it is like to serve the needs of children with deep developmental trauma. She began her career by leaning into her passion for supporting the positive growth and development of students through school counseling. As time went on, she realized the adults need just as much support as the students. So, she stepped into the role of serving as a district leader for school counseling… currently with Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Her professional experiences also include serving on the Board of Directors for the Tennessee School Counselor Association, and on advisory councils for the Tennessee Department of Education. She has been an adjunct professor and frequent speaker at various higher ed events and state conferences. She is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and a certified trainer for Restorative Practices, Building Strong Brains (ACEs/PCEs), The 6 Pillars of Trauma-Informed Schools, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Amy is happily married and has two amazing children who have grown and flown. She loves any activity involving sunshine and warm weather. On any given sunny day, you can find her at the lake on her paddleboard, or on a bicycle riding the greenway, or hiking with her husband toward one of the many waterfalls found in Middle Tennessee.
January 28, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
From Consequences to Connection
Shift from punishment to partnership. This session challenges traditional discipline methods and introduces a trauma-informed approach that focuses on connection, restoration, and understanding unmet needs.
Objectives:
Teshia will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Teshia Stovall Dula, Ed.D., began her career in school counseling in 1998 and is currently serving as a school counselor for Gwinnett County Public School System (GCPS) in Georgia. Dula also works as an adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University. She has written two books, her first published book, STEAM for The School Counselor, has won two awards! Dula is a proud two-time graduate of Hampton University, where Dula received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. In 2014, she received her Specialist from Liberty University, and in 2024, conferred her doctorate. Her career awards include the 2011 Recognized ASCA Model Program Award; 2018 GCPS Writer of the Year; 2018 GSCA Writer of the Year; 2020 GCPS Middle School Counselor of the Year; 2020 GSCA School Counselor of the Year; 2022 Finalist American School Counselor of the Year. She enjoys Jazzercise, reading, writing, and playing! She is married to Michael, a fun Physical Therapist, and she is the proud Mom to Michael “Harrison,” Nathaniel, and Alyssa.
Teshia specializes in numerous topics, including Student-Focused Trauma & Behavior and Staff Wellness. The Student-Focused Trauma & Behavior sessions focus on understanding and supporting students’ emotional and behavioral needs using trauma-informed practices. The Staff Wellness sessions focus on the well-being of educators as a foundational aspect of student success.
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
Schedule highlights are subject to change.
Schedule highlights are subject to change. A detailed schedule will be available closer to the conference.
Become a PSSCA Member and save on your conference registration! Get the benefits of advocacy and affiliation, continuing education and resources, and networking and leadership. Simply add the PSSCA Membership to your total.
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
Sign up to be a Member and SAVE!
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
Early registration through 11/30/2026**
*Your PSSCA membership must be good through January 30, 2027 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.
👥 PSSCA Membership →
Click here to learn more about PSSCA membership and how it provides discounted conference registration rates.
📄 Supervisor Approval Letter →
Need help requesting approval or funding? Download this editable template, modeled after ASCA.
To pay by check or purchase order, download and submit the registration form with payment.
Please download the Registration Form and bring it with your method of payment to the conference.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
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 28, 2026. All cancellations before December 28, 2026 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.
Reservation information coming soon.
Join us at the conference venue, with comfortable onsite lodging designed to make your conference experience seamless!
Hotel Features:
Conference Rate: $168 per night, Resort Fee $20, Self-Parking $10
Plus, applicable taxes and fees
The price includes a full, cook-to-order breakfast
Rooms are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend making reservations early.
Room Block Cutoff: December 28, 2026
After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability.
Reservation link coming soon.
Prefer to book by phone? Call 800.876.0010 and press Option 2 for Embassy Suites and reference the Palmetto State School Counselors or Group Code: PSS
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After full conference days, it’s nice to have easy options nearby to relax or enjoy a change of pace — and just two miles from the hotel, Tanger Outlets (Hwy 17) offer dining, shopping, and entertainment all in one convenient location.
📧 registrations@ncyi.org
📞 866.318.6294
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: PSSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
Checks and purchase orders should be made payable to the National Center for Youth Issues.
Please check junk/spam folders and allow ample time for processing. Attendees will receive an email confirmation once registration is processed.
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.
QuaverReady brings readiness skills to life for students. Our curriculum equips students with the skills necessary for success in school and beyond. Our engaging, fully digital, and standards-aligned Pre-K–8 curriculum program ensures students are ready to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Paige Mitchell
(629) 702-7054
PaigeMitchell@QuaverEd.com
RethinkEd helps districts turn whole child and whole educator frameworks into everyday practice. Through one connected platform, essential supports come together with actionable insights – reducing reliance on siloed, fragmented solutions. Rather than treating academics, behavior, mental health, and educator support as separate efforts, we bring these areas into a unified system designed for consistent use across schools. Curriculum, interventions, professional learning, and data work together to support students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional growth while strengthening educator capacity and confidence. Built by educators and grounded in evidence, our platform aligns with trusted standards and research-based best practices used across K–12 education. Districts partner with RethinkEd to extend the strong work already happening in their schools and build sustainable systems where students thrive and educators feel supported.
Corinne Bishop
Director of Sales
(347) 797-4756
corinne.bishop@rethinked.com
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