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We’re finalizing an exciting lineup of educators and thought leaders to create a meaningful learning experience. Check back soon for speaker annoucements.
February 22, 2027 | 12:00 p.m.
The education of America’s youth is a challenging prospect when one considers the many burdens faced by impoverished children and their families. Research indicates that poverty need not be a barrier to academic excellence. As co-author of the book Standing in the Gap, Dr. Hodge states, “Across the nation, schools are demonstrating that it can be done: That students can reach high standards, that all children can succeed, that the gap between white and minority students, poor and affluent, can be closed.” More often than not, one caring adult can make all the difference in the world. This presentation will encourage all of us to BE THE ONE.
John will also be presenting a breakout session, Resilience By Design.
Dr. John W. Hodge has delivered more than 800 keynote and professional learning sessions across the United States, Canada, and South America, reaching a conservative estimate of over 1.5 million students. His work has helped secure more than $22 million in federal grant funding in education and workforce development. Meetings and Conventions Magazine named him among the best speakers conference organizers have heard, in the same company as many of America’s most well-known celebrity speakers.
Before he entered education, Dr. Hodge served with distinction in the 7th Infantry Division of the United States Army. That service instilled a discipline and leadership that still define his work today. He earned his Bachelor of Science from North Carolina A&T State University, graduating with honors, and his Master of Arts from Chapman University. He completed his Doctor of Education at Virginia Tech, where his research examined the factors that shape academic success for children facing economic hardship. That research became a key element of the SAME Framework, a school improvement model he co-developed that now shapes work in districts across the country.
Dr. Hodge has done the work himself, not just studied it. He has served in various capacities from the classroom to the district office. As Associate Director of AVID Center Eastern Division, he helped expand the program across 13 states. As Director of An Achievable Dream Academy, a high-performing school in an economically challenged community, he helped build a model that earned national recognition and proved what is possible in any zip code.
That experience led him to co-found Urban Learning and Leadership Center (ULLC), where he served as President and built an organization devoted to closing the achievement gap. Following a strategic merger between ULLC and An Achievable Dream, Dr. Hodge now serves as Chief Inspirational Officer of AADULLC, leading efforts that inform and inspire school districts nationwide.
Dr. Hodge is the author of the top-selling book You Can Get in the Way: How You Can Be a Roadblock to Risk Factors, which has guided thousands of educators in uniting the entire staff around student success. He recently published Resilience By Design: Build Unshakable Students Through Intentional Practice, a guide for schools that want to build a culture where resilience is the norm, not the exception. When Dr. Hodge takes the stage, audiences don’t just hear a speech. They leave with a reason to believe in the success of all children, regardless of risk factors.
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
February 21, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
Do you have a plan for what you will do when a student doesn’t comply with your request the first time? Second time? How about the third time? Do you go home tired and exhausted from frustration? This presentation will guide you in developing a thorough, preventative plan for handling issues from low level distractions to serious/chronic behaviors. This is a practical, hands-on presentation filled with concrete steps you can use the next day to help students and yourself.
Amie will also be presenting a breakout session, Motivating Challenging Students.
Amie Dean, M.ED., B.A. has worked in education since 1993. She has experience teaching at all levels, and has taught both special and general education. She was with Fulton County Schools (GA) for ten years, where she provided support to teachers and students as the Student Support/RTI Coordinator for her middle school for four of those years. Amie holds a Master’s degree in Education, is Nationally Board Certified as an Exceptional Needs Specialist, and has trained with Dr. Rick DuFour, Dr. Kay Burke, Dr. Spencer Kagan, Dr. Ruby Payne, and many others.
Amie Dean was also certified as a trainer for The World of Difference Institute with the ADL and studied Restorative Circles which helped hone her practice in coaching students and educators with problem solving, communication, and peacekeeping skills. With decades of experience as an educator and a professional consultant, she now provides support to others through training, speaking, and writing. Amie is also the author of many books, including Because You Believe in Me, Your Happy Heart, There’s No Dream Too Tall, 30-Minute Groups: Peaceful Conflict Resolution , 30-Minute Groups: Social Drama and Friendship Skills, and 15-Minute Focus: Behavior Interventions: Strategies for Educators, Counselors, and Parents and accompanying Workbook.
February 21, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
When young people are in pain or struggling, caring adults naturally want to make things easier and solve the problem, yet real meaningful change begins when students feel understood and empowered. In this engaging session, Dr. Loren shares Motivational Interviewing strategies to support students who seem stuck or resistant. Learn how to reduce power struggles, build trust, and spark genuine motivation that moves young people toward true growth and healing.
Loren will also be presenting a breakout session, Lean Into The Discomfort: Seeing Students Through a Trauma-Informed Lens.
Once an at-risk youth, Loren Dittmar, PhD, is now a nationally recognized speaker and consultant specializing in school mental health, suicide prevention, and the well-being of the adults who serve youth. He partners with schools and organizations nationwide to expand mental health supports, strengthen staff resilience, and build cultures where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to live authentically.
With over 25 years of combined experience in clinical and educational settings, Loren brings a rare blend of frontline insight and scholarly depth. His background includes five years in the mental health field, 18 years as a school counselor, including service as a Director of School Counseling, and 13 years as an adjunct professor. He served as a Lead Professional Learning Specialist with Hatching Results, supporting districts in implementing data-driven, ASCA-aligned comprehensive school counseling programs. He was also the lead expert for the mental health section of the international resource covid19k12counseling.org. Loren has held various leadership roles within multiple state school counselor associations and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Palmetto State School Counselor Association.
Through courageous conversations and healthy vulnerability, Loren equips audiences to ignite purpose, inspire change, and transform the way they lead, live, and connect.
February 21, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
Feel like you don’t have enough time to do counseling? Participants will learn 15 counseling techniques that can be implemented in less than 15 minutes from when a student walks into your office. The program can be suited to elementary, middle, or high school counselors (or a combination of all) and participants will not only learn the strategies but will be doing them alongside Allison as she teaches how to implement them. Get out your Play-Doh! This hands-on, experiential program will revolutionize your counseling department and help kids leave feeling empowered.
Allison will also be presenting a breakout session, Helping Students with Trauma and Emotional Dysregulation.
Allison Edwards is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, educational consultant, parent coach, creator and owner of All the Feels Company and author of numerous books including Worry Says What?, Flooded: A Brain-Based Guide to Help Children Regulate Emotions, and 15-Minute Counseling Techniques that Work. Allison earned her graduate degree in Counseling from Vanderbilt University and has over 20 years experience working as a school teacher, school counselor, child/adolescent psychotherapist, Vanderbilt University professor and educational consultant to schools throughout the country.
February 21, 2027 | 2:00 p.m.
School counselors must negotiate the competing interests of the overregulated school environment, student’s need for confidentiality and the legal rights of parents to be the guiding voice in their children lives. Updates on these competing interests will be discussed through recent state legislation and court developments. Legal rulings will be highlighted in areas relevant to student service professionals such as academic advising, child abuse reporting, student privacy, parental rights, educational records, artificial intelligence, first amendment rights, qualified privilege, and boundary issues. The goal is to facilitate participants’ legal literacy and provide guiding principles to support best practice.
Carolyn will also be presenting a breakout session, Boundary Crossings, Dual Relationships, and Boundary Violations.
Carolyn Stone, Ed.D., is a Professor Emerita of Counselor Education at the University of North Florida (UNF). Dr. Stone is a Past President of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Dr. Stone was ASCAs Ethics Chair from 2002 to 2022 and chaired the last four revisions of the ethical standards. Prior to coming to UNF, Dr. Stone spent 22 years with Jacksonville, Florida’s Public Schools as an elementary and high school counselor, middle school teacher and Supervisor of Guidance Services for 225 school counselors.
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 institute.
Become a LSSSCA 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 LSSSCA Membership to your total.
For questions about LSSSCA membership please contact communications@lonestarstateschoolcounselor.org.
Early registration through 1/15/2027*
📄 Supervisor Approval Letter →
Need help requesting approval or funding? Download this editable template, modeled after ASCA.
*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.
Attendee contact information may be shared with conference sponsors.
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 Southeast SCALI because of a “force majeure” event, such as a government restriction on large gatherings that cover the intended size of the institute, then we will issue full refunds of the registrations. Otherwise, our normal cancellation policy will be upheld: There will be no refunds after January 21, 2027. All cancellations before January 21, 2027 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. The institute is not responsible for and cannot give refunds due to problems beyond its control such as weather or school closings.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The Institute 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 institute venue, with comfortable onsite lodging designed to make your experience seamless!
Hotel Features:
Conference Rate: $249 per night
Plus applicable taxes and fees.
A Resort Fee of $20 per night will also be applied. This fee covers amenities such as wi-fi throughout the property, access to the health club, etc.
Room upgrade options are available.
Rooms are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend making reservations early.
Room Block Cutoff: February 1, 2027
After this date, rooms and rates are subject to availability.
Prefer to book by phone? Call (800) 380-7917 and reference the Southwest School Counselor and Adminstrator Leadership Institute.
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After a full conference day, take some time to unwind! With dining, shopping, entertainment, and plenty of ways to relax just a short drive from the hotel, you’ll have lots of options for an enjoyable evening in Orlando.
📧 registrations@ncyi.org
📞 866.318.6294
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: SE SCALI
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 Southeast School Counselor and Administrator Leadership Institute – SE SCALI (“the Event”), the content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Event are owned by SE SCALI 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 SE SCALI or the presenting speaker.
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