October 18-20, 2023
Embassy Suites & Hampton Roads Convention Center
1700 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Menu
October 18-20, 2023
Embassy Suites & Hampton Roads Convention Center
1700 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
October 18-20, 2023
Embassy Suites & Hampton Roads Convention Center
1700 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Details to come.
We look forward to seeing you next year.
DialCare is a virtual and telephonic counseling service. You can give your students ages 11 and older access to mental health assistance no matter where they are. Members can use their phone, tablet or computer for sessions with mental health professionals from the comfort of their home or on the go. Let our mental health professionals help give you peace of mind.
For more information contact Becca Bean, Assistant Vice President at beccab@dialcare.com.
Are you ready to Inspire Harmony in your schools?
Harmony SEL is a social and emotional learning (SEL) program for pre-K-6 grade students designed to foster communication, connection, and community in schools and out-of-school time organizations. Newly refreshed units available now! This year we invite you to start on the path to success with a refreshed introduction to Harmony SEL Third Edition.
Inspire celebrates and supports pre- and in-service educators and staff with online professional development resources and educator SEL opportunities.
Check out our new Educator SEL modules, Understanding the Brain to Get to the Heart of SEL and Self-Compassion and Emotion Regulation for Educators.
For more information please contact Jonette Marcus, Regional Director at jmarcus@nu.edu or 484-401-4122.
Welcome to Old Dominion University – an institution known for its ideal location, excellent education, and affordable tuition! ODU is Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university with more than 24,000 students, over 90 academic programs, and an energetic residential community.
Our waterfront campus is located in the vibrant city of Norfolk, VA. From internship opportunities, shopping and dining, to beautiful beaches and historic sites, there’s always something to discover.
For more information contact Jaira Rahman-Bowman, Admissions Counselor and Coach at jrahman@odu.edu or (757) 683-6103.
Milton Hershey School is one of the world’s best private schools, where qualifying students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade live on campus. Students receive an exceptional educational experience, nurturing home life, college and career readiness support, and comprehensive health and wellness care, including medical and dental services, food, and clothing—with all costs covered.
For more information contact Margaret Rich at Richm@mhs-pa.org.
QuaverReady is an online program designed to help all students succeed in school. It includes an evidence-based social and emotional learning curriculum and intervention and behavioral resources.
For more information contact Khalid Daniels, Director of Sales at khalid@quavered.com or 615-975-2030.
SCUTA is used by school counselors and school districts to develop a data-driven, evidence based school counseling program. It follows the ASCA National Model® recommendations and offers confidential, comprehensive documentation and use of time analysis system. It is an invaluable tool for School Counselors who want to do best practice, keep accurate records and develop a data driven school counseling program.
School Counselors using SCUTA, have the ability to clearly illustrate the nature of their work and school needs with supervisors and stakeholders.
For more information please contact Kathy.
At the Virginia Lottery, we take playing seriously. Fun matters. Excitement matters. And so does the education of Virginia’s youngest residents. It’s the reason we play so enthusiastically. Every time a ticket is scratched or numbers are selected for the big jackpot, winners in education are created all over Virginia. Last year, the Lottery contributed more than $779 million to Virginia’s public schools. The Virginia Lottery is a WIN for public education in the Commonwealth!
For more information please contact Eileen Rodgers, Senior Communications Specialist at (804) 692-7774 or erodgers@valottery.com.
Xello is an engaging, online program that helps K-12 students define their future goals and transform their aspirations into actionable plans for success. The program puts students at the center of their college and career planning experience. It helps them build self-knowledge, explore their options, create a plan, and develop the 21st-century skills needed to thrive in the world of work.
Kim “Tip” Frank
Pre-Conference Speaker
Jessica Sinarski
Pre-Conference Speaker
Kim “Tip” Frank
Pre-Conference Session
October 18, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
With young people increasingly tethered to Smartphones and digital devices, there has been a sharp increase of serious problems such as anxiety and depression. There is also a direct link to other problems such as social skills deficits, exploitation of young people (bullying, predators), raging, violence and addictions not to mention a negative educational impact. Tip lays out eight specific problems that the “iGen” faces in our technology-laden world. He identifies these concerns in stating how to take careful “MEASURES” when teaching young people how to have a healthy relationship with today’s technology. Tip will bring out ideas from his book Lost and Found: Rescuing Our Kids from Video, Screen, Technology, and Gaming Addictions to proactively head off these eight problems. However, if a young person is developing or has an addiction to screens be it social media, video games, etc., clear direction is given on how to get “unplugged” and get the help needed for recovery.
SPEAKER BIO:
Kim “Tip” Frank, longtime school counselor and therapist, has had the privilege of helping thousands
of students, formerly as a teacher, and more recently, as a counselor/therapist. Tip worked in the public school setting for over 20 years and now maintains a thriving, private counseling practice. He has authored and coauthored numerous books, including Battling the Blues. His books cover many topics, such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, social skills, grief, technology and gaming addictions, divorce and separation, and presents nationally on these topics.
Tip Frank will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Jessica Sinarski
Pre-Conference Session
October 18, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
The weight of stress, worry, and trauma can have lasting impacts on both body and brain. This shows up in every area of school life – from the classroom to the lunchroom to the staff lounge! Take some time to dig into your backpack and learn strategies to set aside the “books” you’re not meant to carry. Participants will learn concrete tools for lightening the emotional load for staff and students. Trauma-expert and author Jessica Sinarski weaves in the latest brain science to make this inspirational session a lasting change-maker!
SPEAKER BIO:
Jessica Sinarski, LPCMH equips parents and professionals to be healers for hurting children. Weaving user-friendly brain science into everything she does, Jessica ignites both passion and know-how in audiences. Extensive post-graduate training and 15+ years as a clinician, consultant, and parent educator led her to create BraveBrains, a resource and training platform for home, school, and community. She is also the author of the Riley the Brave picture books, What’s Inside Your Backpack?, and Hello, Anger.
Jessica partners with school districts and child welfare agencies across the country to better incorporate effective trauma-sensitive practices into their work. She also shares her expertise as a contributor to magazines, blogs, and podcasts. When not writing and training, she continues to work as a bilingual therapist and clinical supervisor at an innovative adoption support agency.
Jessica Sinarski will also be presenting two breakout sessions.
Paul Harris
Keynote Speaker
Jaime Kurtz
Keynote Speaker
Paul Harris
Keynote Session
October 19, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Racial justice in schools remains an urgent need. However, there are myriad barriers to pursuing this reality, and such challenges are becoming more and more sophisticated and impervious to any moral imperative. How can school counselors apply their knowledge of social emotional learning to overcome these barriers and cultivate equity and inclusion? What does integrity in school counseling look like when political pressures to silence such efforts are so strong? This energizing, engaging and encouraging keynote will address these and many more questions and leave participants with practical guidance for cultivating a racially just school counseling program.
SPEAKER BIO:
Dr. Paul Harris serves as founder of Integrity Matters, LLC, which exists to promote racial justice and equity through social emotional learning in K-16 educational and athletic settings, as well as in faith communities.
He previously served as a tenured Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Penn State University and the University of Virginia, and as a high school counselor in Newport News and Loudoun County, Va.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Medicine and his Master’s degree in K-12 School Counseling from the University of Virginia, and his Ph.D. In Counselor Education from the University of Maryland. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University.
Dr. Harris will also be presenting a breakout session.
Jaime Kurtz
Keynote Session
October 20, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Dr. Kurtz will describe recent research from the field of positive psychology, focusing specifically on the states of happiness, social connection, and resilience. In this keynote presentation, she will teach you practical tips on how to build these resources, particularly when times are tough, and will explain just why they are so important for a well-lived life.
Jaime will also be presenting a breakout session.
SPEAKER BIO:
Jaime Kurtz, Ph.D, is a Professor of Psychology at James Madison University. Her research on happiness has been published in top journals and cited in media outlets such as The New York Times, the Washington Post, and ABC News. She is the author of the 2017 book The Happy Traveler: Unpacking the Secrets of Better Vacations, She recently worked with Audible and The Great Courses to write and record the audiobook The Psychology of Happiness and is currently co-authoring a book on scientifically supported tips for building social connection and combatting loneliness.
Dr. Kurtz will also be presenting a breakout session.
Teshia Stovall Dula
Featured Breakout Presenter
Featured Breakout Sessions
Thursday, October 19, 2023
SPEAKER BIO:
Teshia Stovall Dula, Ed.S., began her career in school counseling in 1998. Dula also works as an adjunct professor! 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 is currently pursuing 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.
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Many school counselors aren’t comfortable presenting classroom lessons, especially if they weren’t teachers before their school counseling career. Learn three effective tools to use for classroom management. Using higher-order thinking skills, active learning strategies and adult learning theory, you’ll discover ways to improve both your classroom lessons and management skills.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
ABOUT THIS SESSION:
Focus on authentically and honestly discussing multicultural differences. Let’s “spill the tea” and be real. Addressing our differences directly will allow us to get to our core business – supporting all students to be college and career ready.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
Tentative
You can save $60 on your conference registration by becoming a member of the VSCA for only $40 annually! Before registering for the conference, please visit the VSCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership to save. Under the membership menu, click the “JOIN” link…or, you can now join when you register for the conference. Membership runs for one year from date of joining or renewal.
Current Members: Please make sure that your membership is good through October 21, 2022. If you choose to bundle your membership with conference registration, then another year will be added to your current membership.
New Members: If you choose to bundle your membership with your conference registration, your membership will last one year from the date you submit payment. If you choose to join by visiting the VSCA website and then pay for your conference registration separately, your membership will begin the date you submit payment.
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 2023 VSCA Conference!
VSCA will offer a scaled-back virtual option for those who are unable to travel to Hampton. Three sessions from the featured speakers on Thursday’s schedule, including the opening keynote on that day, will be available to view after the conference, so three hours of professional development can be earned. Of course this cannot replace the experience of being in-person, but we know not everyone is able to make the trip. Please click the button for details.
Professional Member*
$50
Graduate Student/Retiree/Emeritus Member*
$40
Non-Member
$75
Professional Member*
Conference : $170
With Membership*: $210
Graduate Student/Retiree/Emeritus Member*
Conference : $120
With Membership*: $140
Non-Member
Conference : $230
Onsite registration adds $20 to your rate, so register now! Details on the registration form below.
Thursday ONLY
Conference : $130
With Membership**: $170
Friday ONLY
Conference : $130
With Membership**: $170
Onsite registration adds $20 to your rate, so register now! Details on the registration form below.
*Your VSCA membership must be good through October 20, 2023 to qualify for these rates. To take advantage of the discounted Member prices, renew your membership on the VSCA website or bundle your membership with your conference registration. Professional Members are $40 annually and Graduate Student/Retired Emeritus Members are $20 annually.
**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 VSCA 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 September 19, 2022. All cancellations before September 19, 2022 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. If you transfer your registration from Virtual to In Person (or vice-versa), a $25 transaction fee will apply. 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 VSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
The sponsors of the conference receive registrant contact information.
Please Note: If we are forced to cancel the VSCA 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 September 18, 2023. All cancellations before September 18, 2023 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. If you transfer your registration from Virtual to In Person (or vice-versa), a $25 transaction fee will apply. 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 VSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
The sponsors of the conference receive registrant contact information.
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.
VENUE & HOST HOTEL
1700 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Reservation information coming soon.
The Embassy Suites, the Conference’s host hotel, has a conference rate of $136, plus tax. This rate is valid while rooms are available. The price includes full, cook-to-order breakfast and evening Manager’s Reception. This rate is valid through September 28, 2023.
You can also book a room by calling (757) 827-8200 or (800) 362-2779. Be sure to mention the Group Code: VSC.
OVERFLOW HOTEL:
1999 Power Plant Pkwy
Hampton, VA 23666
Reservation information coming soon.
The Hilton Garden Inn has a conference rate of $115 per night, plus tax, which remains valid for reservations made by September 26, 2022, while rooms are available. The price includes two breakfast coupons per room, per night.
You can also book a room by calling (757) 310-6323. Be sure to mention that you are with the Virginia School Counselor Association Conference.
OVERFLOW HOTEL:
1917 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
Reservation information coming soon.
The Courtyard Hampton Coliseum Central has a conference rate of $119 per night, plus tax, valid for the nights of Wednesday, October 19th and Thursday, October 20th. This rate remains valid for reservations made by October 5, 2022, while rooms are available.
You can also book a room by calling (800) 304-9288. Be sure to mention that you are with National Center for Youth Issues Virginia School Counselor Association Conference.
In the evening, make sure you take time to relax and enjoy the surrounding area. Visit the Peninsula Town Center, less than a mile from the Embassy Suites! At the Town Center, enjoy shopping at the Loft, Yankee Candle, Sephora, Forever 21, Barnes & Noble, and many more. You can sit back and relax at the many restaurants, such as Abuelo’s, Avenue Blue, Outback and My Pi, along with others. The Peninsula Town Center has a premium movie theater with leather recliners and gourmet food, so you can finally watch that movie you have been wanting to see.
Click here to see all the fun you can have at the Peninsula Town Center.
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: VSCA
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 VSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
