Friday, December 5, 2025 | 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The BX and Brainerd Baptist Church
School Counselors, Social Workers, and School Psychologists from Hamilton County public and private schools are invited to attend a day of training and inspiration with Dr. John Hodge. You can also visit with Chattanooga-area youth service agencies and sponsors, who will display information on their available services. Come be refreshed and invigorated to continue the work you are doing. For the full schedule see below.
Also, all School Counselors, Social Workers, and School Psychologists who register by November 25th will receive a COMPLIMENTARY BOOKSTORE VOUCHER to be used to shop at the on-site NCYI Resource Fair – compliments of community donors.
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Ashley Wright has been an educator since 2008. She graduated from Sam Houston State University and currently serves as a certified school counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Her experience as an elementary classroom teacher helped her realize students were having endless challenges dealing with home, school, and peers. Inspired to serve more students, she became a school counselor, connecting with them both at school and in the community. This role allowed her to provide broader social-emotional support, equipping students with tools to build resilience and stronger relationships.
Ashley’s commitment to fostering inclusive and comprehensive educational programs has made a significant impact on countless students, families, and educators at the national level. Her exemplary efforts were recognized when she was honored as a 2022 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist and the 2021 Texas School Counselor of the Year. She is also the author of Passion, Purpose, and Position: Reignite Your Passion, Deepen Your Calling, and Lead Positive Change. In addition to school counseling, Ashley serves as a national speaker and advocate of the profession to teach students and educators to embrace diversity, increase self-esteem, build character, and maintain resilience. It is her divine belief that “Every human being has the unlimited potential to make positive change in one’s life.”
Tired? Burned out? Overwhelmed? Let’s Review, Reflect, and Reform! These powerful three words can influence you as a leader and create positive change within yourself and your school setting. It starts with you! As a leader, you need to know your worth and what’s at stake! When you use the power within yourself that you truly possess to lead and make new change, you can push through any type of adversity. Come and be rejuvenated, as this session will help empower you to move forward with a clear mind and vision for your campus.
In a world where communication is key, it is important that we not only create relationships, but work to maintain positive relationships when challenges occur. Conversations can be difficult whether it’s addressing behavior issues with a student or navigating disagreements with colleagues and stakeholders. These conversations can be uncomfortable and even tense, but avoiding them only leads to bigger problems. We will explore strategies to approach difficult conversations with empathy and openness, and techniques to maintain healthy relationships even in challenging situations. These practical tools and real-life examples, will leave you feeling empowered to tackle any conversation with confidence, and build stronger connections with those around you.
Tentative
7:30 am – 8:00 am
Registration & Visit Sponsors
8:00 am – 8:30 am
Welcome & Opening Session
8:30 am – 9:45 am
SESSION ONE (All Staff)
Ashley Wright
Review, Reflect, Reform
9:45 am – 10:15 am
Sponsor Break
10:15 am – 11:30 am
SESSION TWO (All Staff)
Ashley Wright
Difficult Conversations
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
SESSION THREE (All Staff)
Local Mental Health Agency Updates
12:00 pm – 12:15 pm
Door Prizes
12:15 pm -1:15 pm
LUNCH & Shop at the NCYI Resource Fair & Visit Sponsors
1:15 pm – 3:00 pm
SESSION FOUR (HCDE Staff)
HCDE Staff Meetings by Grade Level
All Summit activities, including lunch, the training sessions, Resource Fair voucher, and parking are FREE OF CHARGE, compliments of community donors. Please register below to attend and to receive a Resource Fair voucher (please note deadlines below).
Registration deadline:
Please Note: If we are forced to cancel the Summit 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. On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to large gathering centers may change. We will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the Summit.
All School Counselors, Social Workers, and School Psychologists who register by November 25th receive a COMPLIMENTARY BOOKSTORE VOUCHER to shop the NCYI Resource Fair at the Summit!
This is an opportunity for you to personally review and purchase curriculum, activity and small group manuals, books, videos, DVDs and CDs. NCYI has the newest and best guidance resource materials available from America’s foremost publishers in Classroom Guidance, Character Education, Bullying Prevention / Intervention, Anger Management, Conflict Resolution, Separation Issues, Grief Recovery, Learning Disabilities and Social Skills Training.
Save on shipping and handling – You can save 5% to 8% by purchasing from the on-site display and taking the resources with you, which eliminates shipping and handling charges! On-site discounts will also be offered.
Specialty savings on overstock items – Save 50% or more off the retail price of a unique selection of overstock items.
NCYI accepts all major credit cards, personal checks, purchase orders, and even cash for additional purchases! If you have building level funds available, you can use a school purchase order.
National Center for Youth Issues, or NCYI, is a national non-profit organization that publishes and distributes guidance resource materials for schools. In addition to publishing its own publications, NCYI represents over 40 different publishers of educational resources. They also provide training opportunities for educators through on-site training services, as well as regional and state-wide conferences.
866.318.6294
National Center for Youth Issues
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
