September 17-19, 2023
Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center
1200 Conference Center Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
September 17-19, 2023
Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center
1200 Conference Center Blvd.
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
September 17-19, 2023 | Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center
1200 Conference Center Blvd. | Murfreesboro, TN 37129
We look forward to having you join us at the Tennessee School Counselor and Administrator Institute!
We hope to see you next year!
Best for All: The Strategic Work of School Counselors in Tennessee
Lead Presenter: Karey Loudermilk
This session will provide an overview of the Tennessee Department of Education’s vision and priorities and its alignment with the work of School Counselors. Best practices for the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program will be discussed, with opportunities for collaboration embedded in the presentation. Attendees will leave the session with actionable tools and resources to support their work.
A Dream Realized: Improve Graduation Rates Evaluating Foreign Transcripts
Lead Presenter: Phoenicia Grant
Learn how your district can avoid costly legal expenses and Office of Civil Rights complaints by creating an intentional, consistent, and sustainable transcript evaluation and enrollment procedure for your English Learners. Improve the graduation rate by awarding transfer credits that meet graduation requirements for foreign transcripts. Participants will receive a comprehensive toolkit with resources and activities for immediate implementation.
*EVERYBODY CLAP YOUR HANDS*: A Black History Month Initiative
Lead Presenter: Quinandria Lee
Let’s move past our schools having an isolated Black History Month program on February 28 every year and create an interactive program that celebrates Black history and culture consistently throughout the month of February. In this session, you will be given the tools to build a BHM initiative that allows space for all students to celebrate Black history, culture, music, dance and food through weekly activities and facilitated discussions.
External Factors that Motivate AA Males to Pursue a Postsecondary Ed.
Lead Presenter: Stephanie Jones
The presenter will discuss research on the external psychosocial factors that motivate African American males to pursue or not pursue postsecondary education. Some of these external factors include family, peers, teachers/mentors, and demographic variables.
Not Another Thing: Making character ed who we are, not another thing to do
Lead Presenter: Amy Marshall
Would it benefit your students to reimagine character education efforts that better integrate academic approaches and best practices in school culture and TN Counseling standards? Need to avoid adding another thing for your staff–and you–to do? Whether your character education program needs some tweaks, a reboot, or a complete overhaul, walk through one school’s development of a no cost character education approach (with support from NIET ACED).
Promoting Equity Through Your School Counseling Program
Lead Presenter: TaRael Kee
School counselors must prepare to engage with students from varying demographic backgrounds. Students have so many needs and educators simply cannot meet them without preparation. As school and community leaders we must develop our ability to communicate effectively with the people that we serve. In this workshop, we will use data-based strategies like the ASCA National Model and MTSS to build effective programs for our students and our schools.
Restorative Practices – Circles 2.0
Lead Presenter: Kim Frank
Proactive Circles are a great strategy for building community. Proactive circles help build relationships. Proactive Circles include opportunities to “check-in” with students. Circles provide opportunities for students to connect with their teacher and with their peers. Circles 2.0 will explore how circles can be extended to respond when harm occurs. These responsive, or problem-solving circles, can be effective in both restoring relationships among students in a classroom and among adult colleagues within a school.
School Counselor Graduate Student Supervision
Lead Presenter: Colleen Weems
As directed by ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2016), site supervisors for emerging school counselors must have training in supervision. First focusing on the types of school counselor supervision and relevant ethical code, the presentation will also address programmatic considerations such as practicum and internship differences for students. Final focus will be ASCA National Model-aligned site and supervision activities.
The Simplest Way to Advocate Using Your Calendar Data
Lead Presenter: Desiree Alford
“In this session, you will learn why time documentation and
analysis support data-driven school counseling programs.
how to document your services and how you spend time.
as a school counselor, ways to explain and share data about
your school counseling program; and how to use the data to
advocate and improve your program impact and outcomes.”
Student Privacy: What School Counselors Need to Know
Lead Presenter: Colleen Weems
Explore ethical challenges in school counseling: confidentiality, parents’ rights, suicide, and marginalized populations, using ASCA Ethical Standards & case studies.
Strong Lesson Plans = Strong Results
Lead Presenter: Joyce Hollins
Many school counselors provide the same lessons from year to year – do you take the time to evaluate your lessons from year to year to ensure they are effective and relevant? This session will provide an overview of the components of strong classroom and small group lesson plans. Participants will practice connecting standards and objectives and how to evaluate the effectiveness of a lesson plan to ensure positive outcome results.
Bridging the Gap: Building Relationships with Kids & Families in Poverty
Lead Presenter: David Crabtree
Across the nation, schools struggle with closing the achievement gaps, especially with kids in poverty. This presentation examines the unique issues of working with kids and families in poverty, as well as providing ideas and solutions to bridge these gaps through real, intentional relationship building.
Data Made Easy in Elementary School Counseling
Lead Presenter: Sara Cottrill-Carlo
Data can be a GOOD four-letter word if we are intentional about it! It’s not about collecting data to check a box, it’s about using data in a meaningful way that leads to evidence-based school counseling. This workshop session is an accessible deep dive into using data effectively as an elementary school counselor. We’ll talk about using data (including universal screeners) to guide and evaluate your core curriculum, group counseling, and more!
Dual Enrollment = Dual Success: Strategies to Strengthen Your EPSO Program
Lead Presenter: Beverly Anderson
With the state’s increased emphasis on Ready Graduate Indicators, offering postsecondary opportunities is increasingly important. Learn how one school grew their Dual Enrollment program from 27 to 300+ students. A panel of high school and college professionals will share tips on establishing a proven Dual Enrollment model. Additional EPSO offerings and practices will be discussed including the introduction of a Career & EPSO Counselor.
Healing Trauma Through Healthy Relationships
Lead Presenter: Raven Walker
Children with complex and developmental trauma may exhibit attachment-related behavior and social challenges. Understanding attachment styles and the healing power of healthy relationships can help support the development of children and lead to improved academic success. In this session, we will discuss attachment-related strategies schools can implement to help students develop healthy relationships with peers and the school staff.
Hooked on Books: Creating Book Clubs for Elementary Students
Lead Presenter: Amy Holloway
Looking to address academic and social domains at the same time? Give Book Clubs a try! Including Book Clubs in a comprehensive school counseling program can provide a wealth of benefits for student readers. In this session, attendees will learn how to create Book Clubs that are both data driven and fun for students.
How to Help Parents Parent
Lead Presenter: Ruth Oelrich
Raising a child these days is difficult. Parents are struggling to understand a child in a post-lockdown, media drenched, anxious world. Under the premise that parents do the best they can with the knowledge and skills they posses, how can we as mental health educators teach them more effective strategies. Join the discussion and learn how school personnel can work within the four different parenting styles to bring about positive changes.
Individual Student Planning Strategies for College and Career Readiness
Lead Presenter: Sharon Preda
Seamless transitions don’t exist, but continuity matters. In this presentation, we will explore aspects of individual student planning focused on college and career readiness with an emphasis on continuity and helping students connect the dots. We will discuss transitions from elementary through middle and high school, and into the world of work.
Is a College Degree the ONLY Ticket to Success?
Lead Presenter: Steven Coyle
For years we have been telling students to go to college to get a great career. In fact, we are pushing students into college at a 70% clip. However, almost 70% of careers available today do not require a college degree. Skilled trades are in high demand and can provide students with a great career and great pay! Come join Dr. Coyle to learn what those careers are and how you can reach more of your students. You will also learn how to get industry involved in your schools and how to get more buy in with parents. See what UTI is doing to get girls involved in STEM careers. Finally, learn how students can make school more affordable to avoid debt after graduation.
Promoting Equity Through Your School Counseling Program
Lead Presenter: TaRael Kee
School counselors must prepare to engage with students from varying demographic backgrounds. Students have so many needs and educators simply cannot meet them without preparation. As school and community leaders we must develop our ability to communicate effectively with the people that we serve. In this workshop, we will use data-based strategies like the ASCA National Model and MTSS to build effective programs for our students and our schools.
Restorative Practices – Circles 2.0
Lead Presenter: Kim Frank
Proactive Circles are a great strategy for building community. Proactive circles help build relationships. Proactive Circles include opportunities to “check-in” with students. Circles provide opportunities for students to connect with their teacher and with their peers. Circles 2.0 will explore how circles can be extended to respond when harm occurs. These responsive, or problem-solving circles, can be effective in both restoring relationships among students in a classroom and among adult colleagues within a school.
School Counseling 201 for Administrators
Lead Presenter: Amy Baltimore
A deep dive into the Tennessee Comprehensive School Counseling Model [cut – for school counseling] from the perspective of its potential for systemic, school-wide impact.
Student Privacy: What School Counselors Need to Know
Lead Presenter: Wendy Rock
Explore ethical challenges in school counseling: confidentiality, parents’ rights, suicide, and marginalized populations, using ASCA Ethical Standards & case studies.
After the Pandemic: Our School’s Journey to becoming Trauma Informed
Lead Presenter: Philip Wright
Participants will discover practical measures that schools can implement to create an environment where all students (especially those from high trauma backgrounds) can experience success. The six pillars of a trauma informed school will be discussed as well as ways Roosevelt Elementary has adjusted its practices to align with the pillars. Hear about this journey from the school principal, school counselor, and classroom teacher perspective.
Annual Agreements in Action-School Counselors and Principals as Partners
Lead Presenter: Laura Lamb
This session will provide administrators and school counselors with an understanding of the Comprehensive School Counseling Program Annual Agreement. Additionally, they will learn from a panel of elementary, middle, and high school educators on how to use an Annual Agreement to meet school-wide data objectives. Attendees will leave with examples of Annual Agreements which may assist with implementation at their school.
Are You Making Sure Everybody EATS in Your School?
Lead Presenter: Allison Olivor
Creating a school climate that fosters equity, agility, trust, and sustainability is critical for ensuring that students thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. It is essential for school counselors and administrators to understand how to create an environment that promotes these values. This presentation will provide practical strategies for building trust, fostering agility, promoting equity, and ensuring sustainability in your school.
Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams in PreK-12 Schools
Lead Presenter: Mandy Schneitman
What is Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) Teams, how do we implement these, and what is the role of the school counselors for BTA and case management? More and more district and school teams are requesting training to guide them in this process. This session will introduce BTA, share components of the US Secret Service NTAC Model and provide participants how to move forward and receive support for next steps.
Books and Cooperative Activities That Bring Your Lessons and Group to Life!
Lead Presenter: Laura Filtness
Learn how to use picture books and cooperative activities in your lessons and small groups that will get students engaged and excited. You will leave with resources and ideas you can implement right away.
Difficult Student? How to use games to work with students
Lead Presenter: Amanda Salas
Do you work with difficult/unruly students? Have you ever had a student in a counseling session that won’t talk or gives one word answers? After a brief overview of the relevance of how games is beneficial for helping with difficult students, we will be hands-on learning to use games to help a student open up and participate in counseling sessions. We will also look at how this can be used in classrooms, small group and large group sessions.
EPSO 101: Everything You Need to Know About TN Postsecondary Opportunities
Lead Presenter: Liza Ambrose
Is your school or district interested in increasing early postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs) for students? This session will provide attendees an overview of the 7 EPSOs: dual enrollment, statewide dual credit, local dual credit, AP, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Education, and industry credentials. EPSO representatives will be available to answer commonly asked questions and provide updates for the 2023-24 school year.
Global Education as an Effective Strategy for Closing Opportunity Gaps
Lead Presenter: Stacie Freeman
Global education is an effective strategy for closing achievement and opportunity gaps experienced by minority and disadvantaged students. Global educational improves cultural understanding and appreciation, soft-skill development, critical thinking skills, networking opportunities, self-esteem, and second language skills. In this presentation, we will address both the benefits and the barriers for disadvantaged students, as well as solutions.
Middle School Transitions: Resources and Tips for Success
Lead Presenter: Suzette Telli
Following in the path of our high school Next Guides, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission has created a new interactive Middle School Guide for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8. Join us for a discussion of the Guide and other state resources available to Tennessee students, families, and school counselors. Participants will brainstorm ways they can use the Guide in their schools and join in a shortened version of our College Fit Game.
Mind the Gap for Postsecondary Dreams – Helping Students Be All They Can Be
Lead Presenter: Abigail Murdock
If there was a one-stop shop for all your students’ dream planning success and you had access to FREE resources for ACT/SAT prep, a Career Exploration Program, info/resources on postsecondary planning (financial aid, occupational outlook, college programs, resume/portfolio building), would you pass up the opportunity to find out how? Every student deserves the opportunity and resources to make informed decisions on their postsecondary plans.
Program Development and Evaluation: A Refresher for School Counselors
Lead Presenter: Natae Feenstra
This presentation will provide an overview of construct, development, and operation of a comprehensive school counseling program. Whether you are a newbie or seasoned veteran when it comes to school counseling, this information will refresh you on the deliver and assess components of the ASCA National Model.
Recognize and Respond: Violence Prevention in Schools
Lead Presenter: Makenzie Perkins
Addressing increasing rates of violent, threatening, and concerning behavior presents challenges for school leaders across the nation. Using a variety of case studies, participants will leave with a better understanding of the pathway to violence, take an in-depth look at the threat assessment process, and learn how to implement a variety of interventions that effectively enhance school culture and safety.
A Better FAFSA: 2024-25 FAFSA Changes
Lead Presenter: Jason Seay
Big changes are coming to the 2024-25 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Jason will provide an overview of key changes and their impact on counselors, college access professionals, students, parents, and Tennessee state aid.
Beyond the Basics of Behavior
Lead Presenter: Kathy Vinson
Beyond the Basics of Behavior will focus on an overview of the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and how it works at Benny Bills Elementary School. An overview of each of the three tiers of MTSS will be provided as well as specific strategies that are used within our school building. Descriptions of the collaborative approach utilized at Benny Bills Elementary will be featured throughout the session. Handouts and resources will be shared.
Counseling Evaluations: Looking Beyond the Observation and Into the Data
Lead Presenter: Megan Bechtle
This session will provide a deeper look into comprehensive counselor evaluations. School counselors provide a wide scope of services and programs which must be considered beyond a single classroom observation. This session will provide both school counselors and administrators with an evaluation framework that demonstrates how counselors can define, manage, deliver and assess program effectiveness.
Cowboy Up
Lead Presenter: Regina Peery
Cowboy Up, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporation in Columbia, Tennessee, that focuses on the prevention of youth suicide through educational programs. The program encourages people to keep a “Cowboy Up” attitude during challenging times and get help when needed so they do not miss out on the good times life has to offer. Cowboy Up is a message of suicide prevention, awareness, education, and hope.
Cluttered and Confused: How to Help Students with Executive Functioning
Lead Presenter: Megan Williams
More and more students are struggling with executive functioning. A student may never turn their assignments on time, be unable to consistently regulate their emotions, or have the messiest desk in the room. This presentation will help school counselors understand what is executive functioning, why a student may be struggling with executive functioning, and how to best help students those students in the classroom and beyond.
Economically Disadvantaged Students and How to Better Serve Them
Lead Presenter: Kimberly Thompson
In today’s culture, how do we as counselors ensure we check biases at the door, meet students where they are, and help students gain the skills to make a measurable change over time? This presentation will focus on using strategies and data to support economically disadvantaged students in reaching their full potential. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of working vertically across grade levels to ensure consistent support.
Nature the Nurturer: Understanding and Utilizing the Cognitive Benefits
Lead Presenter: Emily Fain-Lynch
Take a look at what the research is saying about the cognitive benefits of nature exposure as well as what the research says happens when children in particular do not have enough nature expose. Walk away with tangible strategies for you to use to further implement nature in your comprehensive school counseling program and strategies to take back to your school buildings for staff to use.
Navigating College Admissions
Lead Presenter: Heather Mendoza
Helping students navigate the college admissions process can be challenging! We will explore the process of college admissions to best assist our students as they are applying to colleges. This session will also discuss activities to do with students to help them determine their best fit and provide resources for counselors and other adults to learn more about colleges and the admissions process.
Recognizing and Helping Students who are Grieving
Lead Presenter: Katherine Wood
This presentation will cover types of grief and loss, as well as grief theory, developmental responses, potential cultural practices, conversations with parents and caregivers, and the school counselor’s role in helping students who are grieving. It will also cover the integration of MTSS/RTI with grief and loss and provide practical activities school counselors can utilize with children and teens.
Rejuvenate your program with small group counseling (& use data too!) Functioning
Lead Presenter: Emily Gill
We all have tough seasons in our profession, and need a reminder of what we love about being a School Counselor. Small group counseling in elementary school and middle school can revive your love of students and passion for being part of the solution. The data used to identify students, choose curriculum, and show outcomes in small groups will also help you implement a Comprehensive School Counseling Program and work towards RAMP.
Teaching Size of the Problem (Elementary)
Lead Presenter: Brittany McLure
School Counselors will walk away with an understanding of how to support elementary students in understanding the “size of the problem.” School Counselors will learn how to teach this skill at all Tier levels, will walk away with resources, and will gain an understanding of how to evaluate the effectiveness of the Size of the Problem program. This will help students to self-regulate, problem-solve on their own, and use flexible thinking.
Unleash Your Students’ Superpowers: Start Early with PreACT
Lead Presenter: Schwann Logan & Linda Guidry
Gather your leadership team and spend a little time connecting and exploring the PreACT Suite of Assessments. Discover the benefits of starting early so that students have time to discover and develop their readiness superpowers. Develop learning plans that mirror the mindset and behaviors of athletes, contractors, doctors, and mechanics who build skills and deepen knowledge through years of preparation.
Administration Idea Share Round Table Discussion
Lead Presenter: Amy Baltimore
An opportunity for School Adminstrators to share ideas with other Administrators and School Counseling Leadership regarding the role of the School Counselor in their building and how to utilize the School Counseling resources in their buildings to most effectively meet the needs of their school community.
Bridges to Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness: It’s Up To Us
Lead Presenter: Kisha Napper
This session will help school counselors and administrators effectively identify barriers that impede the academic success of students experiencing homelessness and learn how to successfully implement strategies that promote equity for students in the school setting.
Career Advising through School Wide Events
Lead Presenter: Cindy Lockett
Are you looking for fresh, new ideas to expand your career advising programming? Come hear from Roane County Schools on how they are using school and district wide career events to meet the college and career needs of students.
C.A.R.E. Teams: Counselor & Staff Lead Support Groups for Students
Lead Presenter: Mary Lass
C.A.R.E. (Children are Resilient & Empowered) Teams are support groups lead by school counselors, teachers, or other staff in schools to provide a safe & supportive environment for students facing similar challenges. C.A.R.E. Teams provide emotional support, resources, coping strategies, validation, and a sense of community around a particular issue. Participants will leave knowing how to coordinate & run these groups in their schools.
From Tears To Tiers
Lead Presenter: Laura Filtness
Do you ever feel more like a firefighter than a counselor? Stop putting out fires and learn how to transform your work into a comprehensive MTSS program. We will review each tier of our program and learn systems and supports you can implement to help your program become a data-driven smooth sailing machine.
An Integrated Systems Approach to Meeting Student Mental Health Needs
Lead Presenter: Leigh Bagwell
Student success is impacted by increasing student mental health needs. Join us to learn how integrating mental health into existing MTSS structures can create a more holistic and efficacious approach to delivering mental health services within schools, emphasizing collaboration between school districts and community mental health providers for rigorous data collection and usage to guide intervention, identification, and evaluation.
Learning, Lending, Layering: How to Build a School Counseling Library
Lead Presenter: Debora Finch
This presentation will help participants build a school counseling library as a program extension. ‘Learning’ will feature book recommendations for classroom guidance lessons and small group counseling sessions. ‘Lending’ will highlight ways to create a lending library for both parents and teachers. ‘Layering’ will integrate counseling strategies with collected resources so counselors have tools to serve the needs of stakeholders.
Lost & Found: Serving Grieving Students
Lead Presenter: Makenzie Perkins
Did you know new studies estimate 1 in 10 children in TN will lose a parent or sibling before the age of 18? This session will give school counselors a variety of techniques needed to broaden their toolbox to walk alongside a grieving student competently and compassionately. While we can’t control if a student experiences loss and grief, we can help give their grief a voice.
Resilience: Why Prevention Education and Personal Safety Matters
Lead Presenter: K. Beth Dudjak
Discover a variety of tools to support your school’s unique needs while educating and empowering students with strategies to recognize and respond appropriately to abuse, bullying, digital dangers and more! School Counselors will learn the latest research and best-practice guidelines for implementing child-focused prevention to help overcome barriers to student success and why a comprehensive, evidence-based/trauma-informed curriculum matters.
Recent Trends on the ACT
Lead Presenter: Ben Phillips
This session will unpack recent ACT trends based on an analysis of tests from the past three years. Trends for all four sections will be explained using actual test questions. We will offer effective strategies for addressing these trends. The most significant change is the online testing format. Participants will see an example of the online environment and learn the best strategies for that testing format.
Seeing the Big Picture: Connectivity, Community, and Creativity
Lead Presenter: LaTonya Winfrey
Before we begin to help our students, we must build relationships between the adults and stakeholders that care for them. Join LaTonya Winfrey, School Counselor and Allison Simpson, Community in Schools liaison, as they share strategies to help build a village that will last for years to come. Discover how to maximize moments to create new partnerships and opportunities, not only for your students, but yourself as well.
We’re All in This Together: Sharing Responsibility for Student Development
Lead Presenter: Sydne’ Anderson
Building student social and emotional skills isn’t a one person job. This is done most effectively when everyone in the building is promoting and supporting tier 1 practices and routines. Join us as we share ways to increase school wide collaboration to support implementation at the classroom level and throughout the school.
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: TNSCALI
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
