January 23-25, 2025
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
Hilton Head Island, SC
We look forward to having you join us at the Palmetto State School Counselor Association Conference!
Behavior Interventions That Work
Lead Presenter: Amie Dean
Sometimes, we spend more time with our teams than our families, which presents an opportunity to establish a welcoming, positive, and supportive workplace culture. Our duties, roles, and responsibilities can create disconnection in work environments when no effort is made to communicate and form relationships with team members. We will explore ways to prioritize relationship-building in our schools to produce encouraging school environments.
Counteracting Unconscious Bias
Lead Presenter: Lisa Koenecke
A full thirty-five percent of our business interactions involve an assumption as to whether a consumer would qualify for a product simply by their appearance. In this session, we will define privilege, explore barriers, and dissect a case study to understand how to counteract our unconscious biases. We’ll open participants’ eyes to:
Digital Citizenship: Navigating Safely and Responsibly Online
Lead Presenter: Raychelle Cassada Lohmann
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, our students are bombarded with massive amounts of information. Society’s online transformation has paved previously unimaginable roadways of knowledge, adventure, and inspiration…as well as dangerous detours, hidden potholes, and hairpin turns. Educators must prepare their students with life skills to navigate safely and responsibly in a rapidly changing digital world. This interactive multi-media session aims to examine the benefits and drawbacks of technology and equip educators with practical skills and resources to guide their students in understanding what it means to be an upstanding digital citizen: one who is kind, responsible, and – most importantly – leaves an electronic footprint worthy of following.
School Counselors Implementing Mindfulness-Based Interventions Within MTSS
Lead Presenter: Rachel Saunders
Students’ academic achievement and behavior are negatively impacted when they feel emotionally dysregulated. Mindfulness, an evidence-based practice, can help to regulate the nervous system or “unflip a student’s lid”. This allows students to manage their behavior and shift their focus to learning. In this session, we share and discuss how school counselors can effectively implement mindfulness-based interventions within the MTSS framework.
Serving Those Who Serve, Too
Lead Presenter: Glenna Brown-Kaiser
Military-connected children face unique challenges but are asked to be the poster children of resilience. They experience unexpected moves, parent deployment, and reunion/reintegration after the deployment. Due to continuous world changing events, the need for support by school counselors is vital to help military students thrive academically, socially, and behaviorally. Join us as we explore ways to better serve those who serve, too.
Team Student
Lead Presenter: Gabrielle Brundidge
What does it take to be a true family-friendly, student-focused school? Learn processes and strategies for building relationships with students and families, communicating effectively and supporting all students through social-emotional learning and other resources. When staff and families are TEAM student, we can work together to ensure the success of the whole child.
The Power of Resilience in Counseling Lessons
Lead Presenter: Ashley Wright
In today’s ever-changing and challenging world, resilience is a key ingredient for success, especially in academic and social settings. As school counselors, we have a responsibility to foster resilience in our students, and be intentional with measuring their success with the tools/strategies we provide. It is important that your counseling lessons are designed to collaborate with students, staff, and parents. Discover how data-driven strategies can positively impact all students, closing achievement gaps and creating resilient learners who excel academically and socially. This session will equip you with practical tools and techniques to integrate resilience-building activities into your counseling sessions and empower your students to overcome adversity.
Behavior Interventions That Work
Lead Presenter: Amie Dean
Sometimes, we spend more time with our teams than our families, which presents an opportunity to establish a welcoming, positive, and supportive workplace culture. Our duties, roles, and responsibilities can create disconnection in work environments when no effort is made to communicate and form relationships with team members. We will explore ways to prioritize relationship-building in our schools to produce encouraging school environments.
Counteracting Unconscious Bias
Lead Presenter: Lisa Koenecke
A full thirty-five percent of our business interactions involve an assumption as to whether a consumer would qualify for a product simply by their appearance. In this session, we will define privilege, explore barriers, and dissect a case study to understand how to counteract our unconscious biases. We’ll open participants’ eyes to:
Digital Citizenship: Navigating Safely and Responsibly Online
Lead Presenter: Raychelle Cassada Lohmann
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, our students are bombarded with massive amounts of information. Society’s online transformation has paved previously unimaginable roadways of knowledge, adventure, and inspiration…as well as dangerous detours, hidden potholes, and hairpin turns. Educators must prepare their students with life skills to navigate safely and responsibly in a rapidly changing digital world. This interactive multi-media session aims to examine the benefits and drawbacks of technology and equip educators with practical skills and resources to guide their students in understanding what it means to be an upstanding digital citizen: one who is kind, responsible, and – most importantly – leaves an electronic footprint worthy of following.
The Power of Resilience in Counseling Lessons
Lead Presenter: Ashley Wright
In today’s ever-changing and challenging world, resilience is a key ingredient for success, especially in academic and social settings. As school counselors, we have a responsibility to foster resilience in our students, and be intentional with measuring their success with the tools/strategies we provide. It is important that your counseling lessons are designed to collaborate with students, staff, and parents. Discover how data-driven strategies can positively impact all students, closing achievement gaps and creating resilient learners who excel academically and socially. This session will equip you with practical tools and techniques to integrate resilience-building activities into your counseling sessions and empower your students to overcome adversity.
The Role of School Counselors in the MTSS Process
Lead Presenter: Mercedees Hannigan
Join us for an insightful session on the crucial role school counselors play in the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. This session will outline how school counselors can effectively contribute to the MTSS process. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the foundational principles of MTSS and its significance in promoting student success, responsibilities within each tier of support, and data utilization.
Culturally Responsive School Counseling in an Anti-CRT Environment
Lead Presenter: Kim Mitchell
New laws limit how schools can provide culturally relevant pedagogy. ASCA provides frameworks that promote cultural diversity and encourage counselors to use their voices as advocates for equitable and inclusive schools by providing culturally responsive counseling. This session explores how counselors can navigate the murky waters of Anti-CRT legislation yet continue delivering culturally responsive school counseling programs.
I Define Me NOT Girl Drama
Lead Presenter: Tracie Berry-McGhee
The focus of this session is to provide educators and counselors with specific SEL/restorative strategies, and insights that can be used to confront and avoid girl drama and relational aggression. Based upon the latest brain research, as well as current best practices, these interventions can be used to sustain efforts to prevent drama and emotional violence among girls. Thus, fostering positive relationships and reducing relational aggression.
School Safety Is Everyone Responsibility-Do You Know your Responsibilities?
Lead Presenter: Geraldine Henderson
School Safety is the responsibility of all stakeholders (students, parents, educators, and community partners) to provide a safe learning and work environment. You must know your district’s policy and your role and responsibilities as a member of your school crisis team. Your school safety program must be research-based and provide psychological first aid to those who are impacted by a serious incident or traumatic event.
SEL & Special Needs
Lead Presenter: Sarah Shisler-Ziembiec
ASCA National Standards holds Professional School Counselors accountable for the academic, career and social emotional development of ALL students. Social Emotional Learning begins at the elementary level, but how often is it taught? Is the program inclusive to all students, especially those with special needs? How can you adapt your school counseling psychoeducation program to better meet the needs of ALL students in your unique population.
Small Groups 101
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.
STOP: Regulate and Listen
Lead Presenter: Abby Bays
We often hear: “Maslow before Bloom”,” Regulation before Education”…but what does this truly mean? In this session, we will equip you with strategies to help your Whole School! Dr. Mary Tchouros, the 2023 Palmetto State School Counselor of the Year, and Abby Bays, the 2022 Palmetto State Elementary School Counselor of the Year will provide you with knowledge of essential tools and broader initiatives to help everyone STOP: REGULATE and LISTEN!
Ten of Our Favorite Counseling Techniques
Lead Presenter: Allison Deaton
Ever feel like you use the same counseling techniques over and over? Conferences are great for learning new techniques and rediscovering old favorites. Come hear an elementary school counselor and a high school counselor discuss our favorite techniques, how to use them, and why they work. Take our ten techniques back to your school, and they might become your favorites, too.
Using Technology Tools to Advocate for Your Program
Lead Presenter: Crissy Roddy
Using technology can seem scary for some school counselors. However, there are lots of free and easy ways to share important data and information .with stakeholders. Come learn about some simple technology tools that can be used to promote your program and help you advocate for your role as a school counselor.
Beyond Surviving: Thriving as an Early Career School Counselor
Lead Presenter: Kara Lee
Join first-year counselors for a panel discussion highlighting challenges, lessons and celebrations occurring in their introductory year. Panelists include representatives from public and charter schools, primary and secondary levels, and those serving Title 1 populations. This session applies to current graduate students, as well as those in mentorship and administrative positions who will support early school counselors.
Developing Resilience: Empowering BIPOC Adolescent Males
Lead Presenter: Bernell Elzey
This presentation will focus on developing resilience and addressing identity crises in African-American adolescent males experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). It will provide strength-based counseling strategies to empower these adolescents, helping them build a strong sense of identity and overcome challenges associated with ACES, including, but not limited to, father absenteeism.
Getting Students and Parents Talking about the Impacts of the Digital World
Lead Presenter: Alisha Kowsky
As the world changes, so do our students and so do the issues that they are facing. With the increase in technology and more access to a digital world we are seeing an increase in social, emotional and mental concerns amongst our students at all age levels. Join us to learn how we as school counselors and educators can help students and families dive deeper into the root of these newfound concerns and work to restore balance in everyday life.
Palmetto Pathways- Pathways Monitoring and UGP Verification that WORKS!
Lead Presenter: Anna Duvall
You’ve heard the hype- its finally here! Come learn how Palmetto Pathways automatically monitors progress to graduation, validates the Uniform Grading Policy, and monitors student progress toward CTE Pathways, Seals of Distinction, and other pathways. You’ll see how Palmetto Pathways will reduce time spent behind a computer evaluating student records and increase time in front of students delivering direct services. And the best news- its FREE!
School Counselors: Spotting and Supporting Trauma in Schools
Lead Presenter: Robyn Smith
This workshop is designed to equip school counselors with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to signs of trauma in students. Participants will learn about the different types of trauma, common indicators, and the impact of trauma on student behavior and academic performance. The workshop will include practical strategies for creating a supportive school environment.
The Non-Judgmental Flower – A Prejudice-Free Me!
Lead Presenter: Caitlyn Grigg
Addressing the social/emotional domain of the ASCA National Model, this session highlights a pre-packaged classroom lesson that promotes a sense of belonging, supportive peer-relationships, & cultural sensitivity (M 3., B-SS 2., & B-SS 10.) among elementary students. School counselors who are looking for a kinesthetic, colorful way of exploring & addressing prejudice & unconscious biases with their students are warmly welcome for this session.
Utilizing Neuroscience in Calls for Support
Lead Presenter: Hayden Ahlbrandt
Have you ever actually been taught how to de-escalate a student or respond to a call for support from a classroom? In this session, my goal is to equip you with the knowledge & skills to help you feel empowered to respond to these calls. We will explore relevant neuroscience, discuss specific examples, & give strategies to be utilized in the moment so that you can connect, regulate, and get the student back to class.
You Are Needed! How to Get Involved in PSSCA!
Lead Presenter: Kimberly Brown
Are you a PSSCA member and have been thinking about getting more involved in PSSCA? Well think NO MORE- here is your Call to Action. Come to this session to hear from the PSSCA Board of Directors and the Executive Director and learn how you can get more involved through volunteer committee service. Come learn what it means to serve as a Board Director and a Director of Operations. PSSCA only works because of the dedicated service of its members.
Barriers of Coordinating Small Groups
Lead Presenter: Natasha Fields
School Counselor facilitated small groups should be a common tier 2 occurrence in all school buildings, but School Counselors often face barriers to coordinating small groups. Finding a time and space that work, parent resistance, and buy in are just a few common barriers. We will lead a discussion centered around the barriers experienced, ways of overcoming those barriers, and recent small groups that we have facilitated.
How to Advocate for Your Position
Lead Presenter: Cari Lawson
Advocating for your position be an intimidating process. This presentation discusses multi-tiered advocacy methods for school counselors including how to voice time constraints, limited resources, and other factors that impact the school counselor’s ability to respond to the needs of the student population.
Minute Meetings 101
Lead Presenter: Nancy Brady-Wood
Minute Meetings can be so much more than just a way to identify urgent needs – they can also be a powerful tool in creating data for your program and your school. Whether you’re brand new to the concept of Minute Meetings or want to learn more about how to make them a more effective practice in your building, this 101 is for everyone!
Piece of Cake Counseling: Layering in Programs to Support All Students
Lead Presenter: Sara Beckman
Participants will learn strategies to add interest and energy to existing elementary programs by layering in tried-and-true elements – including school-wide, classroom, small group and individual counseling components. You will be able to teach SEL skills more deeply, and be rewarded by students and staff who show enthusiasm for what you have to offer.
SCDE Hot Topics for School Counselors and Career Specialists
Lead Presenter: Anna Duvall
This session will update school counselors and career specialists on critical SCDE initiatives. Participants will receive updates on policies, procedures, and best practices for those involved with school counseling, career development, and supervision of school counseling personnel.
Sharpening Your Site Supervisor Skills
Lead Presenter: Amanda Rumsey
Effective site supervision is vital for developing exceptional school counselors-in-training. Strong mentors create resilient, skilled counselors. Elevate your supervision by mastering techniques to foster intern growth and multicultural competence. Discover tools to prepare interns for diverse school environments, including dynamic strategies for integrating targeted feedback, enhancing cultural awareness, and honing critical counseling skills.
Addiction-Proofing Students in an Addictive World
Lead Presenter: Kriya Lendzion
Opportunities for addictive and risky behaviors are escalating for students, including screens, substance use, self-harm, and more. School Counselors can play a powerful role in preventing and intervening in self-destructive choices, starting young. We’ll explore the toxic forces increasing student risk factors, and learn proven approaches for fostering addiction resistance, including tools for to use in individual, group, and classroom settings.
Building Capacity for School Counselor Leaders of Color
Lead Presenter: Kimberly Brown
Being a school counselor leader of color is both impactful and demanding. This session offers essential strategies for sustaining personal and professional capacity. In this session, presenters will share their insights on how to establish effective boundaries and implement self-care practices to prevent burnout. Participants will also learn how to build a supportive mentorship network that fosters growth, resilience, and continuous support.
RAMP/Program Support Help Session
Lead Presenter: Lindsay Harman
Thinking about applying for RAMP? Or, are you just starting to implement a more comprehensive school counseling program? Either way, we are here to help! RAMP and comprehensive school counseling program implementation-experienced PSSCA representatives will be available during this session to answer your questions and offer support. Stay just long enough to get your questions answered or the entire time!
Suspension is NOT an Intervention
Lead Presenter: Ronnie Jacobs
Suspension seems to be the go-to “intervention” when addressing challenging behavior. Students are excluded from their school community for 1-5 days, and expected to return as a reformed individual. However, Suspension is NOT an Intervention. Educators must find ways to address challenging behavior that is systematic, proactive, positive, and holistic. In this session, participants will leave with rationale and strategies to do just that.
Tools for New School Counselors
Lead Presenter: LaWanda Felder
As a new School Counselor, it can be exciting and overwhelming. While each school environment is unique, many of the difficulties we encounter are universal: Time is always in short supply.
We will offer strategies to assess, deliver, define, and manage your program effectively. By the end of this session, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of your role with confidence and efficiency.
Addressing Race-Based Traumatic Stress
Lead Presenter: Kim Mitchell
Race-Based Traumatic Stress deals with the ongoing collective injuries from exposure and re-exposure to racial stress. This repeated exposure can affect students academically, physically, socially, and emotionally. In this session, learn how to identify signs and symptoms of RBTS and how to design a Race-Based-Trauma-Informed Framework that promotes trauma-sensitive school climates and creates safe-spaces for students.
Best Practices for Site Supervisors
Lead Presenter: Crissy Roddy
You just took on a practicum/internship student. What do you do now? Site supervisors have a unique opportunity to mentor the next generation of school counselors. Learn how to be an effective site supervisor so that you can prepare future school counselors. This session will provide helpful information about supervision theories and strategies to help you create a meaningful experience for both you and your supervisee.
Building a Pipeline With Industry: Cultivating Student Opportunities
Lead Presenter: Sheay McHenry
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, fostering strong connections between educational institutions and local industries is more crucial than ever. This presentation will explore effective strategies for building and maintaining robust partnerships with local businesses, aimed at creating valuable opportunities for students.
Championing Student Success: Mastering School Counseling Advocacy
Lead Presenter: Stephanye Zimmerman
School counselors play a vital role in the academic, personal, and social development of students. However, the effectiveness of school counseling programs often hinges on adequate support and resources. This session will equip school counselors with tools and strategies needed to advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs. Attendees will learn how to build a compelling case for their programs to ensure their programs are impactful.
Exploring the Impact of Grade Level vs. Alpha Caseload Assignments
Lead Presenter: Kimberly Brown
The assignment of caseloads in school counseling can significantly impact the effectiveness of a counseling program. This session aims to explore the differences between grade-level and alpha caseload assignments, examining how each approach aligns with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards and impacts student outcomes.
Human Trafficking in South Carolina
Lead Presenter: Blake Easter
This presentation will familiarize school counselors with the definition of human trafficking and include current legislation, discuss vulnerabilities and indicators, current South Carolina trends, and address common myths and misconceptions surrounding human trafficking. Additionally, counselors will be introduced to TraffickProofSC, a free human trafficking prevention education curriculum for middle and high school students.
Vapelife Liberty & The Pursuit of Fat Clouds: Addressing Student Vaping
Lead Presenter: Kriya Lendzion
In recent years youth vaping of nicotine and cannabis has exploded on our campuses, with increasingly destructive consequences. Shifting this dangerous trend will take comprehensive efforts in elementary through high school, and we can have a large impact as school counselors. We will review current research on the risks of youth nicotine and marijuana vaping, and explore promising practices for one-on-one, classroom, and school-wide prevention.
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: PSSCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
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.
