MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7
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REGIONAL MEETINGS
11:15AM to 12:05PM
11:15AM to 12:05PM
TUCSON REGION
Facilitators
Justin Curran
Britney Griffith
Britney Griffith
FLAGSTAFF REGION
Facilitators
Kristy Meyers
Michelle Powers
Michelle Powers
PHOENIX HIGH SCHOOLS
Facilitators
Brenda Vargas
Annette Riffe
Annette Riffe
PHOENIX K-8
Facilitators
Bill Lucas
Angel McSwain
Angel McSwain
RURAL WEST
Lake Havasu City, Bullhead, Kingman, Parker, Wickenburg, etc.)
Facilitators
Deanna Ainsworth
Sarah Skemp
Sarah Skemp
RURAL SOUTH
Yuma, Nogales, Benson, Ajo, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, St. David, Douglas, etc.)
Facilitators
Julie Cota
Zulema Fragoso
Zulema Fragoso
RURAL EAST
Willcox, Safford region, Globe, Window Rock, Chinle, Show Low, Holbrook, etc.)
Facilitators
Shiloh Wheeler
Katie Williams
Katie Williams
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LEARNING SESSION 1
2:00PM to 2:50PM
2:00PM to 2:50PM
Bring It Home: College, Career, Military Fair
YUHSD has a commitment to helping students transition successfully to life after graduation. Like so many other aspects of life, the pandemic upended the annual College, Career and Military Fair and last year the event was moved to a virtual platform.
YUHSD counselors are no strangers to innovation and change-adapting to students’ needs throughout the past year. They LEVELED UP the College, Career and Military Fair by building upon the theme of ‘Bring it Home’ and creating a week of fun, creative, personalized as well as informative ways to engage students and parents while introducing them to various post-secondary pathways.
YUHSD counselors are no strangers to innovation and change-adapting to students’ needs throughout the past year. They LEVELED UP the College, Career and Military Fair by building upon the theme of ‘Bring it Home’ and creating a week of fun, creative, personalized as well as informative ways to engage students and parents while introducing them to various post-secondary pathways.
Presenter
LISA ANDERSON
Associate Superintendent | Yuma Union High School District
Ms. Lisa Anderson has led a successful career in education for 32 years. She is currently an Associate Superintendent with the Yuma Union High School District in Yuma, Arizona. Ms. Anderson began her professional educational career as a classroom teacher and high school counselor. Her campus administrative experiences include Guidance Director and Assistant Principal. Ms. Anderson extended her leadership district-wide as Executive Director of Student Services prior to her promotion to Associate Superintendent in 2016.
Associate Superintendent | Yuma Union High School District
Ms. Lisa Anderson has led a successful career in education for 32 years. She is currently an Associate Superintendent with the Yuma Union High School District in Yuma, Arizona. Ms. Anderson began her professional educational career as a classroom teacher and high school counselor. Her campus administrative experiences include Guidance Director and Assistant Principal. Ms. Anderson extended her leadership district-wide as Executive Director of Student Services prior to her promotion to Associate Superintendent in 2016.
Childhood Trauma and De-escalation techniques
As educators, we regularly work with children and families that have a trauma history. This session focuses on: understanding trauma, the affects trauma has on the brain and how to work with children who are having a trauma response, is critical in today's school.
Presenter
ABIGAIL PARENT REBESKE
Certified School Counselor/Certified School Social Worker | Avondale Elementary School District
Abigail Parent Rebeske is a Certified School Counselor and Certified School Social Worker, specializing in children, youth and families. Abigail earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate enrolled at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Specializing in Behavioral Health. Abigail's doctoral dissertation focuses on Trauma-Informed Care for children with a trauma history.
Certified School Counselor/Certified School Social Worker | Avondale Elementary School District
Abigail Parent Rebeske is a Certified School Counselor and Certified School Social Worker, specializing in children, youth and families. Abigail earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and is currently a Doctoral Candidate enrolled at Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership: Specializing in Behavioral Health. Abigail's doctoral dissertation focuses on Trauma-Informed Care for children with a trauma history.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
No one likes change, but it is an inevitable part of life. Explore the seven most common reasons that we are resistant to change. Some of these are completely subconscious and others we are well aware of. Learn the hidden reasons that we want to stay unchanged and ways we can shift to a growth mindset and be more open and willing for those inevitable changes in life. This interactive presentation offers usable solutions to get your psyche ready to accept those changes in your life. Perhaps you'll even start to instigate changes that were previously shy-ed away from.
Presenter
KATHY GRUVER
Speaker, Author, Coach
Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, professional speaker, and coach with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. Kathy has written eight books earning 12 awards and has lectured world-wide including two TEDx talks. She has earned her PhD in natural health and has studied mind-body medicine at the famed Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard.
Speaker, Author, Coach
Kathy Gruver is an award-winning author, professional speaker, and coach with over 30 years of experience in mind/body medicine and human behavior. Kathy has written eight books earning 12 awards and has lectured world-wide including two TEDx talks. She has earned her PhD in natural health and has studied mind-body medicine at the famed Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at Harvard.
Shout It OUT: Be a Voice for your School Counseling Program
As supporters of mental health and youth Thatcher USD leaders/board members have fully supported adding school counselors, a character development program, a district wide SEL curriculum as well as calming rooms to our District over the past year. In this session, we will discuss how to ensure your school board is informed about challenges of our youth and how you, as a school counselor, can specifically address these challenges. Discussion topics may also include: how to approach your school leaders and/or School Board, what and when to present to your school board and how to advocate for your program.
Presenters
KENNY SMITH
Dean of Student Services | Eastern Arizona College
Kenny has been serving on the Thatcher Unified School Board for six years. Professionally he has been a teacher, coach and School Counselor. Currently he is the Dean of Student Services at Eastern Arizona College.
His work with AzSCA and other organizations includes President in 1999-2000 and Western Region VP and Parliamentarian on the ASCA board for four years. In 2006, Kenny was honored as Arizona’s and the Nations, Multi-Level School Counselor of the Year.
KATE McCLUSKEY
Wellness Center Supervisor and Head Softball Coach | Eastern Arizona College
Kate is a champion for youth and young adults within our community. Realizing she could make an impact and be part of the solution to many issues facing our youth today, Kate joined the Thatcher USD School Board in 2018. Since 1990, Kate has worked at Eastern Arizona College as the Supervisor of the Wellness Center at and Head Softball coach.
Dean of Student Services | Eastern Arizona College
Kenny has been serving on the Thatcher Unified School Board for six years. Professionally he has been a teacher, coach and School Counselor. Currently he is the Dean of Student Services at Eastern Arizona College.
His work with AzSCA and other organizations includes President in 1999-2000 and Western Region VP and Parliamentarian on the ASCA board for four years. In 2006, Kenny was honored as Arizona’s and the Nations, Multi-Level School Counselor of the Year.
KATE McCLUSKEY
Wellness Center Supervisor and Head Softball Coach | Eastern Arizona College
Kate is a champion for youth and young adults within our community. Realizing she could make an impact and be part of the solution to many issues facing our youth today, Kate joined the Thatcher USD School Board in 2018. Since 1990, Kate has worked at Eastern Arizona College as the Supervisor of the Wellness Center at and Head Softball coach.
Strategies to Help your Kiddos Connect and Re-Connect to School
The upheavals and uncertainties of the past two years have placed your students more at-risk for disconnectedness than ever before. “School Connectedness” sets a laser-focus on the very student support that fuels students’ social, emotional, and academic success. This key construct can be assessed quickly, measured easily, and tracked regularly. Diverse and overwhelming scholarly research clearly indicates that programming intentionally designed to enhance students’ school connectedness is a powerful way to enhance students’ academic performance and close your schools achievement gaps. Session participants will secure assessment tools, data analysis considerations, learn, and discuss strategies to help enhance “school connectedness.”
Presenter
RICHARD ALBRIGHT
Associate Professor | Liberty University
Dr. Rick Albright has over 25 years' experience as a school counselor, clinical counselor, and counselor educator. He is currently an Associate Professor at Liberty University where he teaches counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Nationally Certified School Counselor. He is known for his engaging teaching style, presenting nationally and around the world on topics such as Trauma-Informed School Counseling, Resiliency, Adventure-based Counseling, Sports Psychology, and School Connectedness.
Associate Professor | Liberty University
Dr. Rick Albright has over 25 years' experience as a school counselor, clinical counselor, and counselor educator. He is currently an Associate Professor at Liberty University where he teaches counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Nationally Certified School Counselor. He is known for his engaging teaching style, presenting nationally and around the world on topics such as Trauma-Informed School Counseling, Resiliency, Adventure-based Counseling, Sports Psychology, and School Connectedness.
The New CTE
Whether exploratory or career bound, the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) has expanded to include a broad spectrum of educational and career paths. In addition to serving populations that want to go directly into the workforce, there are also students looking to become doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers who are able to get several steps ahead of their peers before even starting college. Dual enrollment credits, industry certifications and real-world experiences are among the reasons your students deserve to be informed and encouraged to explore how CTE can benefit them!
Presenters
JACOB HANSEN
School Counselor | EVIT
Jake Hansen (M.Ed.) has degrees in both Psychology and Education and has worked in the field of education and youth development since 2001. He has served in a variety of capacities such as teaching, coaching, social work, workforce development and counseling. He is particularly passionate about CTE because he believes it serves an underserved population of students with skills and capabilities that deserve to be nurtured and celebrated.
DAVID PULLMAN
School Counselor | EVIT
David has been involved in education for over 25 years, the last 14 as a School Counselor at EVIT. David has earned a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from San Jose State University, and in addition to his Counseling responsibilities, David specializes in CTE, working with 11th and 12th graders. His tasks include career placement, monitoring Community College dual enrollment partnerships, and promoting CTE programs with students, parents, and fellow high school counselors.
School Counselor | EVIT
Jake Hansen (M.Ed.) has degrees in both Psychology and Education and has worked in the field of education and youth development since 2001. He has served in a variety of capacities such as teaching, coaching, social work, workforce development and counseling. He is particularly passionate about CTE because he believes it serves an underserved population of students with skills and capabilities that deserve to be nurtured and celebrated.
DAVID PULLMAN
School Counselor | EVIT
David has been involved in education for over 25 years, the last 14 as a School Counselor at EVIT. David has earned a Master of Arts in Educational Counseling from San Jose State University, and in addition to his Counseling responsibilities, David specializes in CTE, working with 11th and 12th graders. His tasks include career placement, monitoring Community College dual enrollment partnerships, and promoting CTE programs with students, parents, and fellow high school counselors.
Which Puzzle Piece is Ours?
Supporting students in the areas of Social-Emotional Learning / Chararacter Ed is a multi-tired process, and educators can't own it all. In this presentation, we will explore both a variety of tools and techniques educators can use in a school setting, and which needs are best met outside the school environment.
The presenters are longtime administrators and leaders in the Vail School District, and the session intentionally incorporates wisdom and experience from schools psychs and counselors in the district.
The presenters are longtime administrators and leaders in the Vail School District, and the session intentionally incorporates wisdom and experience from schools psychs and counselors in the district.
Presenters
JUSTIN CHESEBROUGH
Director, Beyond Textbooks | Vail Unified School District
Justin Chesebrough has been in public education for over 20 years, in roles from teacher to principal to leading Beyond Textbooks, Vail USD's framework for teaching and learning. His mission is to share this proven framework with partner organizations across the state and country as we truly come together to improve education.
BRENT EDWARDS
Assistant Director, Beyond Textbooks | Vail Unified School District
Brent Edwards has been with the Vail Unified School District for 20 years, in roles from classroom teacher, gifted specialist, administration, and now serves as part of the Beyond Textbooks team. Among other interests, he is passionate about educational equity and making sure all students have their needs met in their educational environment.
Director, Beyond Textbooks | Vail Unified School District
Justin Chesebrough has been in public education for over 20 years, in roles from teacher to principal to leading Beyond Textbooks, Vail USD's framework for teaching and learning. His mission is to share this proven framework with partner organizations across the state and country as we truly come together to improve education.
BRENT EDWARDS
Assistant Director, Beyond Textbooks | Vail Unified School District
Brent Edwards has been with the Vail Unified School District for 20 years, in roles from classroom teacher, gifted specialist, administration, and now serves as part of the Beyond Textbooks team. Among other interests, he is passionate about educational equity and making sure all students have their needs met in their educational environment.
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LEARNING SESSION 2
3:00PM to 3:50PM
3:00PM to 3:50PM
Adventures in Campus Culture
Through this presentation, you will learn the trial and tribulations the counselors at West-MEC have endured to build their Community of Growth. Between district responsibilities and student needs, the four counselors have built a program to meet the needs of their students on various levels, through various platforms. Sit back and enjoy this quest as we hope you can power up and learn some tips and tricks to take back and share with your team.
Presenters
KRISTINA GUY
Campus Counselor | West-MEC Northwest
Kristina Guy is a Campus Counselor at West-MEC Northwest. Kristina has been at West-MEC for 4 years, previously serving as Lead Counselor at Buckeye Union High School for 5 years. Kristina has been in education since 2003 when she started as an English teacher. Kristina is a completer of the ACTEAZ Fellow Advocacy program. She has presented at several conferences in the past. In 2021, Kristina was named the Arizona School Counselor of the Year.
MONICA HOOK
Campus Counselor | West-MEC Northeast
Monica Hook has been a Campus Counselor at West-MEC for the last 6 years. She spent the previous 11 years in the Dysart Unified School District, where she started as a History teacher before moving into the school counselor role in 2009, serving as Lead Counselor during her last 2 years at Willow Canyon High School. She is an ASCA School Counseling Legal and Ethical Specialist as well as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist.
Campus Counselor | West-MEC Northwest
Kristina Guy is a Campus Counselor at West-MEC Northwest. Kristina has been at West-MEC for 4 years, previously serving as Lead Counselor at Buckeye Union High School for 5 years. Kristina has been in education since 2003 when she started as an English teacher. Kristina is a completer of the ACTEAZ Fellow Advocacy program. She has presented at several conferences in the past. In 2021, Kristina was named the Arizona School Counselor of the Year.
MONICA HOOK
Campus Counselor | West-MEC Northeast
Monica Hook has been a Campus Counselor at West-MEC for the last 6 years. She spent the previous 11 years in the Dysart Unified School District, where she started as a History teacher before moving into the school counselor role in 2009, serving as Lead Counselor during her last 2 years at Willow Canyon High School. She is an ASCA School Counseling Legal and Ethical Specialist as well as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist.
Modeling SEL for Students
This interactive session includes learning and/or reviewing the five Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) core competencies. During the session participants will examine thier strengths in the competencies and ways they currently model these competencies with their students. The session utiulizes multiple presentation styles during our time together. Every participate will leave the session with tools to implement when returning to campus immediately. The session is fun, engaging, and informative. It is appropriate for all ages and any level of knowledge of social emotional learning. Being the best model of SEL skills is important to our students.
Presenter
LINDA WILLIAMS
Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Shadow Mountain High School
I am a LCSW and graduated from ASU. I hold a certification as a Positive Discipline Parent Educator. I worked for seven years at a community behavioral health facility before joining Shadow Mountain High School staff as their social emotional learning specialist. I am passionate about social emotional learning and have taken many classes and webinars on the subject. I love interacting with others who share increasing their knowledge of SEL.
Social Emotional Learning Specialist | Shadow Mountain High School
I am a LCSW and graduated from ASU. I hold a certification as a Positive Discipline Parent Educator. I worked for seven years at a community behavioral health facility before joining Shadow Mountain High School staff as their social emotional learning specialist. I am passionate about social emotional learning and have taken many classes and webinars on the subject. I love interacting with others who share increasing their knowledge of SEL.
Resiliency Building: Easier Said and Done!
School Counselors are in a unique and powerful position to support at-risk students by building their resilience to overcome significant and often overwhelming life circumstances. The Search Institute’s forty-plus years of research has yielded critically important and relevant findings on developmental assets. This data and these tools provide school counselors with valuable tool to enhance student resiliency. Presenters will share a holistic model with session participants to enhance student awareness of their internal and external resiliency assets, with specific and multi-faceted strategies for using their overcoming strengths and bolstering growth areas across domains.
Presenter
RICHARD ALBRIGHT
Associate Professor | Liberty University
Dr. Rick Albright has over 25 years' experience as a school counselor, clinical counselor, and counselor educator. He is currently an Associate Professor at Liberty University where he teaches counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Nationally Certified School Counselor. He is known for his engaging teaching style, presenting nationally and around the world on topics such as Trauma-Informed School Counseling, Resiliency, Adventure-based Counseling, Sports Psychology, and School Connectedness.
Associate Professor | Liberty University
Dr. Rick Albright has over 25 years' experience as a school counselor, clinical counselor, and counselor educator. He is currently an Associate Professor at Liberty University where he teaches counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Nationally Certified School Counselor. He is known for his engaging teaching style, presenting nationally and around the world on topics such as Trauma-Informed School Counseling, Resiliency, Adventure-based Counseling, Sports Psychology, and School Connectedness.
Transforming Financial Knowledge into Financial Behaviors
Financial knowledge is great, but the way students transform that knowledge into financial behavior will greatly impact their success in both college and career. This session is jam packed with ideas and strategies to stop asking what students should KNOW and start asking what students can practice DOING to prepare themselves for a financial life after high school.
Presenter
EMILY SCHWARTZ
Financial Education Manager | MoneyMoments - Arizona State University
Sometimes called the Bill Nye of personal finance, Dr. Emily Schwartz is praised for her energy, engagement, and ability to break personal finance concepts down into relatable chunks for sustained impact. She holds a Ph.D. in education from Arizona State University and has classroom experience teaching at both the K-12 and collegiate level. She currently runs the MoneyMoments financial education program on the Arizona State University campus.
Financial Education Manager | MoneyMoments - Arizona State University
Sometimes called the Bill Nye of personal finance, Dr. Emily Schwartz is praised for her energy, engagement, and ability to break personal finance concepts down into relatable chunks for sustained impact. She holds a Ph.D. in education from Arizona State University and has classroom experience teaching at both the K-12 and collegiate level. She currently runs the MoneyMoments financial education program on the Arizona State University campus.
Upgrade your FAFSA Completion Quest with Ask Benji (Rated E for Everyone)
Time to upgrade your FAFSA Expansion Pack by adding Ask Benji, a fully conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered FAFSA chatbot built specifically for Arizona students. Ask Benji is programmed to respond 24-7 to hundreds of FAFSA and financial aid questions via text message. Partner schools and districts also get additional messaging for students on financial aid myth-busting, college going resources, and next steps after FAFSA. Ask Benji is not an app, there’s no download required. Leverage this FREE technology to more effectively support students towards FAFSA completion and college readiness efforts.
Presenters
HEIDI DOXEY
Program Manager for Community Initiatives | Education Forward Arizona
Heidi Doxey is the Program Manager for Community Initiatives at Education Forward Arizona and manages Ask Benji, a texting FAFSA chatbot powered by Artificial Intelligence. She earned a BS in Economics from the University of Utah and has spent more than a decade as a college access professional and FAFSA technical expert.
DR. SYLVIA SYMONDS
Deputy Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Services | Arizona State University
Dr. Sylvia Symonds is the Deputy Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Services for Arizona State University. In this role, she oversees outreach efforts for Access ASU, whose mission is to increase the number of students prepared to enroll and succeed in higher education. Sylvia also serves as the Principal Investigator for several grants totaling over $17 million in funding designed to increase postsecondary enrollment for first-generation, low-income and students of color.
Program Manager for Community Initiatives | Education Forward Arizona
Heidi Doxey is the Program Manager for Community Initiatives at Education Forward Arizona and manages Ask Benji, a texting FAFSA chatbot powered by Artificial Intelligence. She earned a BS in Economics from the University of Utah and has spent more than a decade as a college access professional and FAFSA technical expert.
DR. SYLVIA SYMONDS
Deputy Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Services | Arizona State University
Dr. Sylvia Symonds is the Deputy Vice President for Educational Outreach and Student Services for Arizona State University. In this role, she oversees outreach efforts for Access ASU, whose mission is to increase the number of students prepared to enroll and succeed in higher education. Sylvia also serves as the Principal Investigator for several grants totaling over $17 million in funding designed to increase postsecondary enrollment for first-generation, low-income and students of color.
One Pill Can Kill - Prevention Strategies to Address the Fentanyl Crisis and Other Drug Trends in Our Schools
Teenagers in Arizona are overdosing at an alarming rate from counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. In fact, more teens, 15-17, are dying from fentanyl than from car crashes, suicide or Covid. At the same time, schools are being inundated with nicotine and THC, cannabis, vaping. This session will discuss the current substance use trends and concrete action steps for school counselors to consider when preventing substance use, referring children for treatment or implementing school policies and programs on substance use.
Presenters
SHELLY MOWREY
Demand Reduction Coordinator | Arizona HIDTA
Shelly Mowrey is the Demand Reduction Coordinator for Arizona HIDTA and is a leader in substance use prevention and education. Over the last 20 years, Shelly has developed substance use prevention programs, media campaigns and professional development trainings for a variety of audiences that are instrumental in reducing youth drug use in the state of Arizona. Her passion is assisting communities, schools and substance use prevention coalitions in delivering quality programs with successful outcomes. Shelly has received extensive training provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Partnership to End Addiction and the Arizona Narcotics Officers Association. In 2018 and 2015, Arizona HIDTA was awarded the national Outstanding Prevention Program award by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for its work on prescription drug abuse prevention and public health, public safety partnerships.
Demand Reduction Coordinator | Arizona HIDTA
Shelly Mowrey is the Demand Reduction Coordinator for Arizona HIDTA and is a leader in substance use prevention and education. Over the last 20 years, Shelly has developed substance use prevention programs, media campaigns and professional development trainings for a variety of audiences that are instrumental in reducing youth drug use in the state of Arizona. Her passion is assisting communities, schools and substance use prevention coalitions in delivering quality programs with successful outcomes. Shelly has received extensive training provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Partnership to End Addiction and the Arizona Narcotics Officers Association. In 2018 and 2015, Arizona HIDTA was awarded the national Outstanding Prevention Program award by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy for its work on prescription drug abuse prevention and public health, public safety partnerships.
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LEARNING SESSION 3
4:00PM to 4:50PM
4:00PM to 4:50PM
Creating, Implementing and Measuring the Effectiveness of a Calming Room at the Elementary Level
This presentation outlines the process of creating a calming room, implementing an effective calming room and measuring its effectiveness by using a data driven system. Outcomes are measured in multiple domains including attendance, behavior, and achievement.
Presenters
ANNETTE RIFFE
School Counselor | Holmes Elementary School
Annette Riffe is an Elementary School Counselor in the Mesa Public School District at Holmes Elementary in Mesa, Arizona. Annette has been a School Counselor for 7 years.
CHRISTINA CULBERTSON
School Counselor | Holmes Elementary School
Christina Culbertson is an Elementary School Counselor in the Mesa Public School District at Holmes Elementary. She has been a School Counselor at the elementary level for 12 years and has served as a lead elementary counselor for 3 years. Prior to becoming a School Counselor, she worked with adults with mental illness.
School Counselor | Holmes Elementary School
Annette Riffe is an Elementary School Counselor in the Mesa Public School District at Holmes Elementary in Mesa, Arizona. Annette has been a School Counselor for 7 years.
CHRISTINA CULBERTSON
School Counselor | Holmes Elementary School
Christina Culbertson is an Elementary School Counselor in the Mesa Public School District at Holmes Elementary. She has been a School Counselor at the elementary level for 12 years and has served as a lead elementary counselor for 3 years. Prior to becoming a School Counselor, she worked with adults with mental illness.
ECAP Moving Forward: My Future AZ - ADE's New ECAP Platform
Allowing space for students to participate in and create an Education Career Action Plan (ECAP) is a graduation requirement in Arizona. ECAP is an ongoing process that empowers students to create a meaningful and individualized plan toward a postsecondary pathway. The ECAP process results in a student portfolio where students outline their secondary and postsecondary plans aligned to their career aspirations. The ECAP process portfolio has four attributes (academic, career, postsecondary, extracurricular) which should be documented, reviewed, and updated annually. Come learn about ADE's new platform - My Future AZ - and how it can support the ECAP process.
Presenter
AMANDA NOLASCO
School Counselor Specialist | Arizona Department of Education
Amanda Nolasco has been in the education field for 23 years where she has served as an English teacher, School Counselor, Department Chair, Counselor Facilitator – CTE and is currently the School Counselor Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education. In 2012 she was selected as the Outstanding CTE Counselor of the Year for ACTEAZ. She has served as the Assistant Chair and Chair for AzSCA and Vice President and Secretary for ACTEAZ.
School Counselor Specialist | Arizona Department of Education
Amanda Nolasco has been in the education field for 23 years where she has served as an English teacher, School Counselor, Department Chair, Counselor Facilitator – CTE and is currently the School Counselor Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education. In 2012 she was selected as the Outstanding CTE Counselor of the Year for ACTEAZ. She has served as the Assistant Chair and Chair for AzSCA and Vice President and Secretary for ACTEAZ.
Motivating from Within - A GEAR UP Experience
This interactive workshop will provide participants with the opportunity to understand the importance of compassionate communication to help build trust, safety, and respect with students. Utilizing data from a collaboration between ASU Wellness and ASU GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduate Programs), workshop participants will practice the principles of compassionate communication, also known as motivational interviewing, and learn when it is best used to internally motivate a person toward change in an effort to improve student success.
Presenters
JENNIFER MURPHY
Executive Director of Student Initiatives | Arizona State University
Dr. Jennifer Murphy currently serves as Executive Director of Student Initiatives with Arizona State University, where she oversees ASU GEAR UP. Jennifer also serves as a faculty member at ASU and as an adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College. As a former high school counselor, Jennifer focuses her college readiness outreach and support on social-emotional learning, specifically on increasing the metacognitive skills of students to build resiliency for postsecondary success.
BRENDA YOUNG
Program Manager | Arizona State University
Brenda Young, MPH is a Program Manager with the ASU Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness Heath Promotion team. Brenda's areas of expertise are overall well-being with an emphasis on alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention, and recovery support initiatives. Brenda has been instrumental in the implementation of the innovative C3 Program at ASU to assist students in navigating the myriad of choices confronting them in the collegiate environment.
Executive Director of Student Initiatives | Arizona State University
Dr. Jennifer Murphy currently serves as Executive Director of Student Initiatives with Arizona State University, where she oversees ASU GEAR UP. Jennifer also serves as a faculty member at ASU and as an adjunct faculty at Mesa Community College. As a former high school counselor, Jennifer focuses her college readiness outreach and support on social-emotional learning, specifically on increasing the metacognitive skills of students to build resiliency for postsecondary success.
BRENDA YOUNG
Program Manager | Arizona State University
Brenda Young, MPH is a Program Manager with the ASU Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness Heath Promotion team. Brenda's areas of expertise are overall well-being with an emphasis on alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention, and recovery support initiatives. Brenda has been instrumental in the implementation of the innovative C3 Program at ASU to assist students in navigating the myriad of choices confronting them in the collegiate environment.
School Counseling Mentor Level Unlocked
Does your school have new players added to your game? Come see how this RAMP school is training new counselors and providing support as a team. Walk away with cheat codes to help advance to the next level.
Presenters
DEANNA AINSWORTH
School Counselor | Lake Havasu High School
Deanna Ainsworth is a professional school counselor and department chair at Lake Havasu High School, a RAMP school. In 2019, Deanna received the AzSCA Rising Star Award. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s of Science in Guidance and Counseling from the University of West Alabama. Prior to entering the School Counseling field, Deanna taught mathematics at Lake Havasu High School for eight years.
KATIE ROBERTSON
School Counselor | Lake Havasu High School
Katie Robertson is a professional school counselor in Lake Havasu High School, a RAMP school. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Theater from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Canisius College. She was recognized as the 2015 Arizona Rising Star Counselor. Prior to entering the counseling field, Katie worked with at-risk youth and special education students using theater and fine arts.
School Counselor | Lake Havasu High School
Deanna Ainsworth is a professional school counselor and department chair at Lake Havasu High School, a RAMP school. In 2019, Deanna received the AzSCA Rising Star Award. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Mathematics from Northern Arizona University and a Master’s of Science in Guidance and Counseling from the University of West Alabama. Prior to entering the School Counseling field, Deanna taught mathematics at Lake Havasu High School for eight years.
KATIE ROBERTSON
School Counselor | Lake Havasu High School
Katie Robertson is a professional school counselor in Lake Havasu High School, a RAMP school. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Theater from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Master of Science in School Counseling from Canisius College. She was recognized as the 2015 Arizona Rising Star Counselor. Prior to entering the counseling field, Katie worked with at-risk youth and special education students using theater and fine arts.
Supporting Students with Executive Function Challenges
This session covers executive functioning inside and out! Participants will learn about the frontal lobe of the brain and how it affects ALL students’ focus, effort, memory, attention, and even emotions. Students struggling with executive function have an impacted ability to effectively plan, manage time, stay organized, and so much more, which affects their success in school. The good news is EF coaching is simple and highly effective. This session will give participants the skills to recognize executive functioning deficits in students as well as practical, concrete strategies that they can employ to better support their students right away.
Presenter
SAMANTHA DE PALO
Director of Curriculum & Instruction | The Jones-Gordon School
Samantha De Palo, M.Ed. is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for The Jones-Gordon School, a small specialized school that caters to students who learn differently, She is a former Fulbright Scholar and Teach For America corps member. She has taught all grade levels (5th and up) in regular ed, special ed, and inclusion classrooms. She recently completed her post-graduate certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function at Landmark College.
Director of Curriculum & Instruction | The Jones-Gordon School
Samantha De Palo, M.Ed. is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction for The Jones-Gordon School, a small specialized school that caters to students who learn differently, She is a former Fulbright Scholar and Teach For America corps member. She has taught all grade levels (5th and up) in regular ed, special ed, and inclusion classrooms. She recently completed her post-graduate certificate in Learning Differences and Neurodiversity with a Specialization in Executive Function at Landmark College.
Up Your Classroom Engagement with Nearpod
So much new technology is suddenly available to us, but what is actually going to engage your students and increase their participation in your counseling lessons and presentations? Attendees will learn the basics about how to take their classroom lessons to the next level with Nearpod. You will leave this session with a better understanding of what Nearpod is and how to use some of its most popular tools to liven up your lessons and give all students a chance for meaningful participation as well as how to use Nearpod as a data collection tool to support your counseling program.
Presenter
REBECCA HOY
School Counselor | Morgan Maxwell K8
A former middle school teacher, Rebecca Hoy earned her M. Ed in School Counseling from the University of Arizona in 2009. Since that time, she has worked as a counselor in all levels of K-12 education. Currently, Rebecca is in her 5th year as a solo counselor at Maxwell K8 school in the Tucson Unified School District. She loves using technology and is always looking for ways to integrate it into her school counseling program!
School Counselor | Morgan Maxwell K8
A former middle school teacher, Rebecca Hoy earned her M. Ed in School Counseling from the University of Arizona in 2009. Since that time, she has worked as a counselor in all levels of K-12 education. Currently, Rebecca is in her 5th year as a solo counselor at Maxwell K8 school in the Tucson Unified School District. She loves using technology and is always looking for ways to integrate it into her school counseling program!
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