TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
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LEARNING SESSION 4
9:45AM to 10:35AM
9:45AM to 10:35AM
AdviseAZ AmeriCorps: Leveraging the Near-Peer Model of College Access Advising
AdviseAZ is an AmeriCorps program that places current college students or recent college graduates in high schools and community sites who serve as near-peer advisers. These members work alongside high school counselors and staff to help students navigate the complex college exploration process; college admission test preparation; assist with college applications and completion of the FAFSA; and secure financial aid in order to pursue a postsecondary education.
We will also talk about the importance of AmeriCorps and the opportunity it gives for members to give back to their community as well as gain valuable skills and knowledge during their service.
We will also talk about the importance of AmeriCorps and the opportunity it gives for members to give back to their community as well as gain valuable skills and knowledge during their service.
Presenter
SHAYNE JOHNSON
Program Coordinator | Education Forward Arizona
Shayne Johnson has worked with Education Forward Arizona (previously College Success Arizona) for over two years now and has continued to grow his passion for post-secondary access for all students. Shayne feels that we can make a difference in so many people's lives by showing them their options and helping them to understand what is out there for them. Shayne's goal is to help students realize and achieve their dreams.
Program Coordinator | Education Forward Arizona
Shayne Johnson has worked with Education Forward Arizona (previously College Success Arizona) for over two years now and has continued to grow his passion for post-secondary access for all students. Shayne feels that we can make a difference in so many people's lives by showing them their options and helping them to understand what is out there for them. Shayne's goal is to help students realize and achieve their dreams.
Bibliotherapy in the Elementary Counseling Program
Have you ever wondered how to use books to create lessons for students? Do you find yourself wanting activities to go with books you read to your classes and groups? This session will explore bibliotherapy within an elementary school counseling program.
Presenter
MELISSA ZANOT
School Counselor | Liberty Elementary School
Melissa Zanot is currently an elementary school counselor in Tucson, AZ. Before she was a counselor she taught high school English and loves both high school and elementary school levels. Literature within programs used as a therapeutic and social emotional strategy is her passion. She has served as intern supervisor, mentor, member of her district's task force, and advocates for new school counselors.
School Counselor | Liberty Elementary School
Melissa Zanot is currently an elementary school counselor in Tucson, AZ. Before she was a counselor she taught high school English and loves both high school and elementary school levels. Literature within programs used as a therapeutic and social emotional strategy is her passion. She has served as intern supervisor, mentor, member of her district's task force, and advocates for new school counselors.
Differentiated Instructional Strategies for Trauma
This session explores the foundations of trauma with activities that allow participants to delve into student trauma through their personal lens. It also allows them to connect with other professionals to co-create and generate new understanding of trauma and its impact on students. In this highly interactive session, counselors will participate in real-life activities and learn new skills that can be used in the school/classroom setting to ensure adults have the tools necessary to identify and implement a fully differentiated approach to support students who require a trauma-informed approach to learning.
Presenters
DONNA TRUJILLO
VP of Tiered Services & Special Populations | Generation Schools Network
Donna Trujillo has many years of experience Special and Gifted Education and serves as a representative with the State Legislative Consortium that guides laws for students with disabilities at the local, state, and federal levels. Her background includes work with rural and urban school districts, as well as charter, private, and public schools. She has worked with all ages from birth to 21 and has extensive knowledge about Special Education processes, policies, and best practices.
LARRY MARTINEZ
Senior Education Specialist | Generation Schools Network
Larry has been an educator for over 30 years with a passion for improving academic achievement. He has had many roles within the educational environment, primarily in high minority and low socio–economic schools in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Larry has served as the Director of Curriculum in Queen Creek, AZ, Deputy Director for Turnaround in the Denver Public Schools, and Network Director for Blueprint Schools Network in Boston.
VP of Tiered Services & Special Populations | Generation Schools Network
Donna Trujillo has many years of experience Special and Gifted Education and serves as a representative with the State Legislative Consortium that guides laws for students with disabilities at the local, state, and federal levels. Her background includes work with rural and urban school districts, as well as charter, private, and public schools. She has worked with all ages from birth to 21 and has extensive knowledge about Special Education processes, policies, and best practices.
LARRY MARTINEZ
Senior Education Specialist | Generation Schools Network
Larry has been an educator for over 30 years with a passion for improving academic achievement. He has had many roles within the educational environment, primarily in high minority and low socio–economic schools in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Larry has served as the Director of Curriculum in Queen Creek, AZ, Deputy Director for Turnaround in the Denver Public Schools, and Network Director for Blueprint Schools Network in Boston.
Incorporating Project Based Learning into SEL Lessons
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects. Explore how to embed this innovative approach to learning into exciting and engaging Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons for classrooms or groups. Gain a clear understanding of the PBL approach and how these can be incorporated into SEL opportunities. Walk away with examples, tips, and suggestions for developing your own SEL lessons utilizing essential design elements that PBL stems from.
Presenter
HILARY GORDON
School Counselor | Phoenix International Academy
Hilary Gordon has a bachelor in arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a Masters degree in Social Work from California State University, Northridge. Hilary is an LCSW in CA and in AZ. Hilary has worked with a variety of populations in the mental health field including older adults individual therapy, at a mental health clinic with individuals who have chronic mental illness, and the prevention department of a substance abuse treatment center.
School Counselor | Phoenix International Academy
Hilary Gordon has a bachelor in arts in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a Masters degree in Social Work from California State University, Northridge. Hilary is an LCSW in CA and in AZ. Hilary has worked with a variety of populations in the mental health field including older adults individual therapy, at a mental health clinic with individuals who have chronic mental illness, and the prevention department of a substance abuse treatment center.
Readiness From the Inside Out: Self-Reflection, Relevancy, and Relationships
We teach methods for improving a student’s critical thinking, comprehension, and problem-solving skills, but how often do we teach the art of self-reflection? Cultivating this metacognitive skill can increase academic, interpersonal, and emotional resiliency and lead to improved student outcomes. As educators, we must navigate our own experiences with self-reflection in order to build relationships with students by asking the right questions and providing the necessary feedback to elicit trust, foster change, and reinforce relevancy in learning. This interactive session will offer a unique perspective to cultivate student self-reflection, and explore how to provide change-based feedback.
Presenter
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.
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.
Show Me the Money!
When it comes to funding our school counseling programs, many of us feel like it is "game over" before we even ask. Understanding the different buckets of money is crucial so you know what questions to ask. Come learn about funding sources with allowable expenses for your school counseling program. Leave with information and questions to assist you in these conversations with your site and district administration.
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.
The Quest to Build Meaningful Recruiter Relationships
How many times, as a counselor, have you felt overwhelmed, annoyed, and burdened by your local military recruiter coming in and needing your graduate list, will grad letters, or transcripts (NOW)? This session will not only allow you the knowledge to let your recruiters know when they should and should not make their requests, along with how you can truly use the recruiters and their resources to help build your counseling program. Understanding what you can request of your recruiters will help strengthen relationships with staff, families, and the community.
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.
STEPHANIE FINCH
School Counselor | Tolleson Union High School
Stephanie Finch is a School Counselor at Tolleson Union High School. She has been a counselor there for almost 9 years. Her responsibilities have included ECAP Coordinator, Military Liaison, Gear Up Co-Coordinator, PBIS Representative, Be A Leader Foundation Sponsor, and Department Chair. Stephanie was named the 2019-2020 TUHSD Employee of the year. She is currently working on commissioning into the Arizona Army National Guard and was awarded the honor graduate of her basic training class.
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.
STEPHANIE FINCH
School Counselor | Tolleson Union High School
Stephanie Finch is a School Counselor at Tolleson Union High School. She has been a counselor there for almost 9 years. Her responsibilities have included ECAP Coordinator, Military Liaison, Gear Up Co-Coordinator, PBIS Representative, Be A Leader Foundation Sponsor, and Department Chair. Stephanie was named the 2019-2020 TUHSD Employee of the year. She is currently working on commissioning into the Arizona Army National Guard and was awarded the honor graduate of her basic training class.
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LEARNING SESSION 5
10:45AM to 11:35AM
10:45AM to 11:35AM
A Humanities Education: The New Pathway to Medical and Law School
The Humanities graduate with no job is a myth. More than ever, human connection, compassion, and understanding are invaluable in the workplace. This session presents a new humanities pathway quickly developing in higher education for students who wish to be highly competitive candidates for Medical, Law School, or the job market.
Concretely, the session presents and discusses:
Concretely, the session presents and discusses:
- data supporting the value of a Humanities education, with a focus on application to Medical and Law school
- specific transferable skills making students highly competitive and desirable
- action items on how to counsel and prepare students for this new pathway.
Presenter
ALAIN-PHILIPPE DURAND
Dorrance Dean and Professor of French | College of Humanities at the University of Arizona
Alain-Philippe Durand is Dorrance Dean and Professor of French in the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona. Originally from Marseille, France, he loves soccer, hip-hop, French deejays, Brazil, profiteroles, and reading, among other things. Learning several languages taught him that life is in colors, not in black and white. He is the author of many publications; his most recent book is Hip-Hop en français. An Exploration of Hip-Hop Culture in the Francophone World.
Dorrance Dean and Professor of French | College of Humanities at the University of Arizona
Alain-Philippe Durand is Dorrance Dean and Professor of French in the College of Humanities at the University of Arizona. Originally from Marseille, France, he loves soccer, hip-hop, French deejays, Brazil, profiteroles, and reading, among other things. Learning several languages taught him that life is in colors, not in black and white. He is the author of many publications; his most recent book is Hip-Hop en français. An Exploration of Hip-Hop Culture in the Francophone World.
Culture is Behavior: Positively Impacting Student and Staff Behavior in a Way That Sticks
Character development and social-emotional competencies are critical to preparing students for their civic, working, and private lives. How do we take these approaches out of the counseling office and into the daily fabric of the school by gaining staff buy-in? By thoughtfully combining SEL instruction and self-reflective tools with intentional character-based exercises, counselors can be leaders of the professional learning happening in their school. We must provide staff with low-burden, high-impact strategies that begin with adult behavior change and end with a positive impact on the academic, social-emotional, and career development of our students.
Presenter
KAT PASTOR
Director of School Supports & Outreach | CharacterStrong
Kat has passionately served as a student and educator advocate for over 20 years in the roles of coach, student council advisor, school counselor at the secondary level and financial aid counselor/coordinator of student employment and adjunct professor at the post-secondary level. Through Kat’s leadership, her school counseling department received both state and national recognition, including ASCA RAMP recognition in 2020. Kat was named the ASCA 2016 School Counselor of the Year.
Director of School Supports & Outreach | CharacterStrong
Kat has passionately served as a student and educator advocate for over 20 years in the roles of coach, student council advisor, school counselor at the secondary level and financial aid counselor/coordinator of student employment and adjunct professor at the post-secondary level. Through Kat’s leadership, her school counseling department received both state and national recognition, including ASCA RAMP recognition in 2020. Kat was named the ASCA 2016 School Counselor of the Year.
Distinguishing Yourself in the School Counseling Profession through NBPTS Certification
Are you looking for a way to develop your Counseling practice and distinguish yourself in your field? This session will demystify what the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is, give a review the process towards certification, and present a summary of how it can benefit you. Join us for an an overview of the NBPTS Certification process and organizations in place to support your journey, and help you "Level Up" in your role as a School Counselor!
Presenters
JENNIFER DI NELLO
School Counselor | Alhambra High School
Jennifer Di Nello is currently in her 15th year as a School Counselor. She has worked at all grade levels (K-12), and is currently working as a School Counselor and PLC Leader at Alhambra High School. She achieved her Initial National Board Certification in 2011, and was one of three School Counselors in the state of Arizona to renew this certification in 2020.
CINDY KING
School Counselor | Alhambra High School
Cindy King is currently in her 15th year as a School Counselor and PLC Leader at Alhambra High School. Ms. King is a graduate of NAU, and has worked in multiple districts in the Phoenix Metro area. She received her initial National Board certification in 2020, and is one of only 9 Counselors to do so in the state of Arizona at this time.
School Counselor | Alhambra High School
Jennifer Di Nello is currently in her 15th year as a School Counselor. She has worked at all grade levels (K-12), and is currently working as a School Counselor and PLC Leader at Alhambra High School. She achieved her Initial National Board Certification in 2011, and was one of three School Counselors in the state of Arizona to renew this certification in 2020.
CINDY KING
School Counselor | Alhambra High School
Cindy King is currently in her 15th year as a School Counselor and PLC Leader at Alhambra High School. Ms. King is a graduate of NAU, and has worked in multiple districts in the Phoenix Metro area. She received her initial National Board certification in 2020, and is one of only 9 Counselors to do so in the state of Arizona at this time.
Dropout Recovery in the Age of Closures and Quarantines: The Students Point of View
This session will focus on the barriers that were overcome during the pandemic from a students' perspective while they participated and graduated from a Dropout Recovery Program.
Presenters
MARIA CUZZOCREO
Director of Instruction | Grad Solutions
Maria Cuzzocreo has taught in the state of AZ for 28 years and has intentionally worked with the rural/underprivileged students of our state. Maria has a BA in Education from Northern Arizona University, a Master's in Education from University of Phoenix and a Masters in Education Administration from Northern Arizona University. Maria is an advocate for struggling students everyday.
CAROLINE COOK
Outreach | Grad Solutions
Caroline is a graduate of Grad Solutions and is now an employee. She is currently working in a Grad Solutions lab in the Tucson area helping other students reach their goals.
Director of Instruction | Grad Solutions
Maria Cuzzocreo has taught in the state of AZ for 28 years and has intentionally worked with the rural/underprivileged students of our state. Maria has a BA in Education from Northern Arizona University, a Master's in Education from University of Phoenix and a Masters in Education Administration from Northern Arizona University. Maria is an advocate for struggling students everyday.
CAROLINE COOK
Outreach | Grad Solutions
Caroline is a graduate of Grad Solutions and is now an employee. She is currently working in a Grad Solutions lab in the Tucson area helping other students reach their goals.
School Gardens and Resiliency: A COVID-19 Response
In mid-March 2020, schools across the globe began to close in response to COVID-19, affecting nearly 55 million K-12 students in the US. For the following 18 months, daily routines and everyday moments of social connectedness were disrupted and inequities in access to education, mental health and health services were exacerbated. Instruction moved online, and for young learners, disconnectedness intensified, pandemic induced anxiety piled on, and the quarantine put a clamp on social-emotional learning. Join us in an interactive session as we examine school gardens as a therapeutic school counseling setting and potent social emotional learning tool.
Presenter
MOSES THOMPSON
Director, University of Arizona Community and School Garden Program | University of Arizona, Tucson Unified School District
Moses Thompson is the Director of the University of Arizona Community and School Garden Program. In 2006, Thompson founded the nationally recognized school garden program at Manzo Elementary School as a facet of his school counseling program. Thompson’s work has been featured in National Geographic, School Counselor Magazine, and Arizona Illustrated. In 2011 Thompson was awarded Arizona Elementary School Counselor of the Year, in 2012 was awarded the US Green Building Council’s Green Schools Award.
Director, University of Arizona Community and School Garden Program | University of Arizona, Tucson Unified School District
Moses Thompson is the Director of the University of Arizona Community and School Garden Program. In 2006, Thompson founded the nationally recognized school garden program at Manzo Elementary School as a facet of his school counseling program. Thompson’s work has been featured in National Geographic, School Counselor Magazine, and Arizona Illustrated. In 2011 Thompson was awarded Arizona Elementary School Counselor of the Year, in 2012 was awarded the US Green Building Council’s Green Schools Award.
Using Solution Focused Counseling Techniques at the Elementary Level
Need to lighten your load? Need a quick way to check-in with students that also gathers data? Using techniques from Solution Focused Counseling, you will gain tools to have quick, solution focused check-ins with students, that are effective and also gather data to support your school counseling program.
Presenter
MARY FULFER
School Counselor | Lehi Elementary School
Mary Fulfer has been an elementary school counselor and teacher for 25 years in California and Arizona. She holds an Elementary Teaching Credential, Masters in School Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Her most recent certification is "Solution Focused Climate Specialist". This certification was earned through courses offered by CASC: California Association of School Counselors.
School Counselor | Lehi Elementary School
Mary Fulfer has been an elementary school counselor and teacher for 25 years in California and Arizona. She holds an Elementary Teaching Credential, Masters in School Counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. Her most recent certification is "Solution Focused Climate Specialist". This certification was earned through courses offered by CASC: California Association of School Counselors.
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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