August 19, 2026 | 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
All school-based mental health team members from Henrico County Public Schools are invited to attend a day of learning and inspiration with various speakers. Come be refreshed and invigorated to continue the work you are doing. For the full schedule see below.
Also, all attendees will receive a COMPLIMENTARY BOOKSTORE VOUCHER to be used to shop at the on-site NCYI Resource Fair!
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We’re finalizing an exciting lineup of educators and thought leaders to create a meaningful conference experience. Check back soon for speak annoucements.
What do school counselors need to get their programs off the ground – administrators! What do administrators need to fill the gaps for student support – school counselors! The two go hand in hand. Through the strategic use of data to close gaps in student outcomes, collaboration between the school counselor and school administrator yields improved results for student academic achievement, attendance, and social behavior.
Dr. Amy Baltimore is a former missionary kid who grew up experiencing first hand what it is like to serve the needs of children with deep developmental trauma. With an undergraduate degree in musical theater and a masters degree in school counseling, she began her career by leaning into her passion for supporting the positive growth and development of students primarily in grades K-8 through musical theater programming and school counseling.
After 12 years of serving in schools as a school counselor, she realized the adults need just as much support as the students. So, after obtaining a specialist degree in Education Leadership, she stepped into the role of serving as a school counseling district leader and completed her personal educational journey by completing doctoral programming at Lipscomb University focused on the development of learning organizations, and strategic change.
Her professional experiences also include serving as Chair of the Board of Directors and legislative liaison for the Tennessee School Counselor Association, adjunct professor and frequent speaker at various higher ed events and state conferences, and advisory council for the Tennessee Department of Education school counseling department. She is a Nationally Board Certified Counselor and a certified trainer for Restorative Practices, Building Strong Brains (ACEs/PCEs), The 6 Pillars of Trauma-Informed Schools, and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Amy has been happily married for 26 years and has two amazing children who have grown and flown. She loves any activity involving sunshine and warm weather. On any given sunny day you can find her at the lake on her paddleboard, or on a bicycle riding the greenway, or hiking with her husband toward one of the many waterfalls found in middle Tennessee.
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 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, and15-Minute Focus: Behavior Interventions: Strategies for Educators, Counselors, and Parents and accompanying Workbook.
What is the schooling experience like for neurodivergent students? What might it feel like in a neuro-normative society to learn that your child is neurodivergent? How can we reduce or eliminate common barriers that neurodivergent students experience in school? What does it look like to incorporate student and family strengths into support efforts? Dr. Harris addresses these questions and more using personal narratives and professional insights to facilitate increased empathy, understanding, and self-efficacy of participants.
Dr. Paul C. Harris is scholar-practitioner committed to building a just world where all are seen, heard, and valued. He has 20+ years of experience as K-12 school counselor, teacher, administrator, and professor. He is currently an associate professor in the counseling and special education department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is the former president of the Virginia School Counselor Association and formerly served on the American School Counselor Association Board of Directors. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Medicine and his Master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of Virginia, and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Maryland. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University.
School culture impacts every aspect of the learning environment for students and for staff. While addressing a school’s culture can be challenging, it is critical for implementing systemic change. This presentation will share a variety of strategies to address school culture through the lens of self-awareness, inclusivity, and intentionally creating a safe environment for all students and staff.
Melisa Marsh, Ph.D. currently serves as an Assistant Principal at Piney Grove Middle School. She has over two decades in education, having served in roles of a Georgia State High School Counselor and Department Chair, Supervisor of Counseling/Advisement/Crisis Response, and School Counseling and Advisement Consultant.
Melisa received her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Personnel Services and her Specialist Degree in School Counseling from the University of Georgia. She received her Advanced Masters in School Counseling Program from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
She is a national level speaker/consultant, and is also the author of two books in the 15-Minute Focus Series: Suicide: Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention and Depression: Signs and Strategies for Counselors, Educators, and Parents, along with her latest workbook titled Stress and Burnout in Education.
Melisa lives in the Atlanta Metro area with her husband and puppies. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, yoga, cycling, running, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible.
Are you an educator feeling stuck in a rut? Do you yearn for a sense of purpose in your work? “Passion. Purpose. Position” – a call to action for educators to unleash their unique gifts and transform their communities. Join Ashley for an inspiring keynote session where you’ll discover how to harness your passion, find your purpose, and position yourself as a change agent in education. When you identify your strengths and align them with your goals, you’ll truly discover the impact you can have in your school and beyond, and leave a legacy with every individual you encounter. Become transformed and motivated to make a difference in the lives of your students, staff, and community.
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 and 30-Minute Groups: Navigating Family Dynamics. 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.”
Additional speakers will be announced soon.
8:00 a.m.
Welcome & Mingle
8:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks & Welcome
9:05 a.m.
Breakout Sessions 1
10:15 a.m.
Breakout Sessions 2
11:25 a.m.
Breakout Sessions 3
12:30 p.m.
Lunch & Shop at the NCYI Resource Fair
1:35 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 4
2:45 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 5
Shop at the NCYI Resource Fair
See the Full Schedule for more details, including available breakout sessions and speakers.
All conference activities, including lunch, the training sessions, Resource Fair materials, and parking are FREE OF CHARGE.
First, please register for the conference on PSPL, course #50246. Then register for your individual sessions through the Schedule. Please be mindful of sessions that are full, because each room has a max capacity.
All attendees will receive a COMPLIMENTARY BOOKSTORE VOUCHER to be used to shop at the on-site NCYI Resource Fair!
This is an opportunity for you to personally review and choose curriculum, activity and small group manuals, books, videos, DVDs and CDs. NCYI has the newest and best counseling 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.
National Center for Youth Issues, or NCYI, is a national non-profit organization that publishes and distributes counseling 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.
QuaverReady brings readiness skills to life for students. Our curriculum equips students with the skills necessary for success in school and beyond. Our engaging, fully digital, and standards-aligned Pre-K–8 curriculum program ensures students are ready to face the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Paige Mitchell
(629) 702-7054
PaigeMitchell@QuaverEd.com
RethinkEd helps districts turn whole child and whole educator frameworks into everyday practice. Through one connected platform, essential supports come together with actionable insights – reducing reliance on siloed, fragmented solutions. Rather than treating academics, behavior, mental health, and educator support as separate efforts, we bring these areas into a unified system designed for consistent use across schools. Curriculum, interventions, professional learning, and data work together to support students’ academic, behavioral, and emotional growth while strengthening educator capacity and confidence. Built by educators and grounded in evidence, our platform aligns with trusted standards and research-based best practices used across K–12 education. Districts partner with RethinkEd to extend the strong work already happening in their schools and build sustainable systems where students thrive and educators feel supported.
Corinne Bishop
Director of Sales
(347) 797-4756
corinne.bishop@rethinked.com
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