LEARNING SESSIONS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7
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LEARNING SESSION 4
9:50AM to 10:40AM
9:50AM to 10:40AM
Suspension vs. Restorative Practices
How do we help students struggling with behaviors in our schools? Research shows that punitive measures such as suspension do more harm than good for most students academically and socially. Students who are suspended are more likely to drop out and be involved as offenders in the justice system. Schools whose primary discipline is suspension open themselves up to accusations of race and gender inequality. Restorative practices allow for greater equity, reduced drop out rates, increased graduation rates and builds trust among the student population and between staff and students.
Tracks
Student Achievement and Success, Advocacy
Levels
All Levels
Presenters
David Harris
School Counselor, Buena High School
After a career in government service in the military and defense contractor, David Harris became a teacher and then earned a Masters degree in School Counseling at NAU. He works at Buena High School in Sierra Vista as a School Counselor and Tennis Coach, and since 2017, is an AzSCA General Board Member.
Stephanie Brown
Counselor Intern, Buena High School
Stephanie Brown completed her degree at NAU in Early Childhood Special Education. As an educator for the past 10 years, she decided to continue her education and is enrolled in GCU as a Masters student for School Counseling. She currently works full-time for Buena High School as a Counseling Intern and will graduate in May 2023.
School Counselor, Buena High School
After a career in government service in the military and defense contractor, David Harris became a teacher and then earned a Masters degree in School Counseling at NAU. He works at Buena High School in Sierra Vista as a School Counselor and Tennis Coach, and since 2017, is an AzSCA General Board Member.
Stephanie Brown
Counselor Intern, Buena High School
Stephanie Brown completed her degree at NAU in Early Childhood Special Education. As an educator for the past 10 years, she decided to continue her education and is enrolled in GCU as a Masters student for School Counseling. She currently works full-time for Buena High School as a Counseling Intern and will graduate in May 2023.
Give Yourself a Round of Applause: Prioritizing Your Own Self-Care and Support
As practitioners, we are acutely aware of the high levels of stress and trauma within our communities. Not only this, but we’re particularly susceptible to compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, and burnout if we fail to recognize and cope with our own stress. Now more than ever, we must prioritize self-care and support. In this session, participants will review the research supporting a self-care plan, learn strategies to help them and their students in coping with stress, and develop a plan to use their support system as well as support available through the Arizona School Counselor Association.
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify at least three important benefits of self-care
- Develop their own self-care plan to implement this year
- Evaluate the role of a support network as well as their own network of support
- Access a wealth of resources and supports available through AzSCA
Presenter
Kristy Meyers
2022 School Counselor of the Year | School Counselor, Mingus Union High School
Kristy Meyers is a School Counselor at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona and the 2022 Arizona School Counselor of the Year. This is her 9th year serving the Verde Valley Community, where she has developed new programs and initiatives. Some of her notable accomplishments have included fostering data-driven practices, implementing her Bitmoji Virtual Counseling Office, and becoming a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid to train others in supporting students.
Kristy received her bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Mankato with a double major in psychology and Spanish, in addition to her master's degree in counseling and student personnel. In 2018, she achieved National Board Certification. She cares deeply, not only about her school community, but also about advancing the field of education.
2022 School Counselor of the Year | School Counselor, Mingus Union High School
Kristy Meyers is a School Counselor at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona and the 2022 Arizona School Counselor of the Year. This is her 9th year serving the Verde Valley Community, where she has developed new programs and initiatives. Some of her notable accomplishments have included fostering data-driven practices, implementing her Bitmoji Virtual Counseling Office, and becoming a certified instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid to train others in supporting students.
Kristy received her bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University Mankato with a double major in psychology and Spanish, in addition to her master's degree in counseling and student personnel. In 2018, she achieved National Board Certification. She cares deeply, not only about her school community, but also about advancing the field of education.
Powerful & Meaningful Practices in Title I Communities
Support the needs of your Title I community in the year 2022. In this ever-changing world, post-covid, and many other societal events & hardships, what can be done to support out most under-served and marginalized communities? As professionals in the field, we are witnesses to the impact of these past years and the dramatic rise in mental health concerns and learning loss. Learn about practices that take a holistic approach to supporting students & families as we navigate this new era in Education. Walk away with concrete and tangible ideas and resources to affect change in your school community.
Tracks
Student Achievement and Success, School Counseling Programs and Curriculum
Levels
Elementary
Presenters
Cynthia Howell
Counselor, Chandler Unified School District
Alma Rodriguez
Counselor, Chandler Unified School District
Counselor, Chandler Unified School District
Alma Rodriguez
Counselor, Chandler Unified School District
It's no joke - Counselors are BUSY! Use the ASCA model and prioritize!
This session is great for beginning counselors or anyone feeling overwhelmed and short on time. Come get some practical tips on utilizing the ASCA model to help you prioritize your time and strategically plan to meet the needs of ALL students. Don't let the ASCA model scare you, use the resources and let it drive your year with a proactive plan.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, New Counselors
Levels
Elementary
Presenter
Marci Bieber
District Lead Counselor, Peoria Unified
Marci Bieber has been a School Counselor for 22 years and an educator for 28. She has been an elementary school teacher, K-8 School Counselor, a High School Counselor, and now serves as a District Lead Counselor.
District Lead Counselor, Peoria Unified
Marci Bieber has been a School Counselor for 22 years and an educator for 28. She has been an elementary school teacher, K-8 School Counselor, a High School Counselor, and now serves as a District Lead Counselor.
Tri-University: Supports Around Arizona
Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona continue to evolve their cooperative collaborative efforts to ensure students, families, supporters and counselors are informed about the opportunities and resources available at Arizona’s three in-state universities. Join to learn how the initiatives were forced to pivot, but through change have prospered and expanded. We will share important updates about each school, ways to connect, and have time for counselor questions and discussion. Counselors will come away from this session informed about the Tri-University partnership, and inform the future of programming primed to benefit the Arizona community.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, New Counselors
Levels
All Levels
Presenters
Dan Kellish
Sr. Associate Director, Arizona Recruitment, University of Arizona
Abby Tudor
Assistant Director, Northern Arizona University
Sr. Associate Director, Arizona Recruitment, University of Arizona
Abby Tudor
Assistant Director, Northern Arizona University
Stand Up for Your School Counseling Program at School and District Level: Advocacy Made Easy
School counselors are leaders on campuses and invaluable members of the education community. Does your Administration, District Directors, and School Board truly value the school counselor role and utilize your role appropriately in your school? Are you concerned about keeping your job or unsure how to even start advocating for yourself and other counselors? This session will provide tools and resources to stand up for your position and help the stakeholders know your value. The presenters are seasoned counselors, at times in their careers hired on a grant, that have successfully advocated for school counselors in their districts and state.
Tracks
Advocacy, New Counselors
Levels
All Levels
Presenters
Britney Griffith
School Counselor, Esperero Canyon Middle School
Britney Griffith is a school counselor at Esperero Canyon Middle School in Tucson, AZ. She demonstrates her passion for education and school counseling not only in her job but as a long-time board member of AzSCA and advocate at the local and state level. She is currently the AzSCA Advocacy Committee Chair.
Sarah Skemp
School Counselor, Jack Daley Primary
Sarah Skemp is a counselor at Jack Daley Primary (Thatcher), hired under the ESSER grant in 2021. Previously a counselor at Lake Havasu High School (a Re-Ramped school), she advocated for elementary counselors, which now all elementary schools have a counselor. Sarah promotes our profession and implementation of the ASCA model through her involvement with AzSCA. She is a former member of the AzSCA Executive Board and currently a member of their Board at Large.
School Counselor, Esperero Canyon Middle School
Britney Griffith is a school counselor at Esperero Canyon Middle School in Tucson, AZ. She demonstrates her passion for education and school counseling not only in her job but as a long-time board member of AzSCA and advocate at the local and state level. She is currently the AzSCA Advocacy Committee Chair.
Sarah Skemp
School Counselor, Jack Daley Primary
Sarah Skemp is a counselor at Jack Daley Primary (Thatcher), hired under the ESSER grant in 2021. Previously a counselor at Lake Havasu High School (a Re-Ramped school), she advocated for elementary counselors, which now all elementary schools have a counselor. Sarah promotes our profession and implementation of the ASCA model through her involvement with AzSCA. She is a former member of the AzSCA Executive Board and currently a member of their Board at Large.
The Power to Motivate: Helping Students Get Motivated
How often does it seem like you are more committed to positive changes for your students than they are? How often do you work with students to create a detailed plan for change only to find that they didn’t follow through? Before students can increase grades, build healthy relationships, or pursue career plans in earnest, they have to be deeply motivated. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based counseling style that taps into students’ own motivation to make positive changes in their lives. Learn practical techniques to help students change their future trajectory for the better. In short, learn to motivate!
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Student Achievement and Success
Levels
All Levels
Presenters
Reagan North
Assistant Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Reagan North is a Counselor Educator at Liberty University and Grand Canyon University. Previously, he was a High School Counselor for 6 years. He has written a book entitled Motivational Interviewing for School Counselors and has presented on the subject at the ASCA annual conference, multiple state-wide school counselor conferences, and at various universities and school districts around the country.
Robert Pincus
Assistant Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Robert Pincus is a full-time core faculty member for the past four years. He was
a school counselor for 10 years and is an active advocate for the profession at the school, district, and legislative levels. He has presented at several conferences on school counselor advocacy, school counselors roles in mental health in the schools, and schools counselors using motivational interviewing with students. He has published on Motivational Interviewing in academic journals.
Assistant Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Reagan North is a Counselor Educator at Liberty University and Grand Canyon University. Previously, he was a High School Counselor for 6 years. He has written a book entitled Motivational Interviewing for School Counselors and has presented on the subject at the ASCA annual conference, multiple state-wide school counselor conferences, and at various universities and school districts around the country.
Robert Pincus
Assistant Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Robert Pincus is a full-time core faculty member for the past four years. He was
a school counselor for 10 years and is an active advocate for the profession at the school, district, and legislative levels. He has presented at several conferences on school counselor advocacy, school counselors roles in mental health in the schools, and schools counselors using motivational interviewing with students. He has published on Motivational Interviewing in academic journals.
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LEARNING SESSION 5
10:50AM to 11:40AM
10:50AM to 11:40AM
Slumps, Burnout, and the "I Don't Care" Blues
Feeling disconnected from your vision and purpose? Learn about burnout and slumps, discover the things that are getting in my way, and learn ways to strategize an action plan to take back your time, maximize your services and get you back on track.
Presenter
Carol Miller
Carol Miller is a veteran school counselor with K-12 experiences. Currently an Elementary Counselor in the Rome City School District, Carol is a Past President of the New York State School Counselor Association. Carol has authored two small group curriculum: StarBound and Building Champions and runs the website Counseling Essentials (https://counselingessentials.org/). She is a champion for students and school counselors around the globe.
Carol Miller is a veteran school counselor with K-12 experiences. Currently an Elementary Counselor in the Rome City School District, Carol is a Past President of the New York State School Counselor Association. Carol has authored two small group curriculum: StarBound and Building Champions and runs the website Counseling Essentials (https://counselingessentials.org/). She is a champion for students and school counselors around the globe.
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.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Student Achievement and Success
Levels
All Levels
Presenter
Samantha De Palo
Director of Outreach, The Jones-Gordon School
Samantha De Palo, M.Ed. is the Director of Outreach 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 Outreach, The Jones-Gordon School
Samantha De Palo, M.Ed. is the Director of Outreach 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.
I Graduated--Now What? - College and Career Readiness in an Alternative HS Environment
This session is for high school counselors and college counselors working in an alternative high school or in a comprehensive high school with high needs. I will walk educators up and down the sometimes rocky journey we take with kids on their road to graduation. We will discuss ways to engage students that struggle with their academic as well as their mental health. I will share data driven programs that we use at Star Academic HS to support college and career readiness at all grade levels.
Tracks
Student Achievement and Success, New Counselors
Levels
Secondary
Presenter
Belinda Stevens
School Counselor, STAR Academic High School
I have been a school counselor for over 20 years.I started my career in the Marana Unified School District. I currently work in the Sunnyside Unified School District. I have been married for 23 years and have 2 beautiful girlsl ages 23 & 20. I am a Tucson Native and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. My Why? I serve students because I want to without a second thought.
School Counselor, STAR Academic High School
I have been a school counselor for over 20 years.I started my career in the Marana Unified School District. I currently work in the Sunnyside Unified School District. I have been married for 23 years and have 2 beautiful girlsl ages 23 & 20. I am a Tucson Native and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. My Why? I serve students because I want to without a second thought.
Creating an Elementary School Counseling Program from Scratch in Rural Arizona
Imagine being hired as an elementary counselor in a district with six elementary schools which NEVER had a counselor. That was January 2020! Shortly after getting into the schools and finding your way, you are interrupted by a national health crisis, remodeling and construction at some of your sites! What to do? Persevere and make a difference for the students! As two of the original elementary counselors hired at Lake Havasu USD, we will share the things we’ve done right, things we’ve learned from, and how we utilize data for a comprehensive counseling program in the making!
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, New Counselors
Levels
Elementary
Presenters
Susan Martin
School Counselor, Oro Grande Classical Academy
Susan Martin started her career as an elementary teacher, then taught middle school for eleven years. After earning a master’s in school counseling, she spent time as a high school counselor. Since earning her master’s in counseling psychology she has worked in a variety of positions including community counseling, private practice and teaching/advising at two different colleges. Currently she is an elementary school counselor enjoying the rewards and challenges of working with a younger population.
Marti Miller
School Counselor, Smoketree Elementary School
Marti Miller has a master’s in counseling psychology and also obtained a degree in school counseling. She has served children and their families for over 28 years in various capacities. She began her career in an elementary school setting working with children who were identified as at-risk. She worked in juvenile probation and spent time working with CPS families. She is currently back serving students in an elementary school setting.
School Counselor, Oro Grande Classical Academy
Susan Martin started her career as an elementary teacher, then taught middle school for eleven years. After earning a master’s in school counseling, she spent time as a high school counselor. Since earning her master’s in counseling psychology she has worked in a variety of positions including community counseling, private practice and teaching/advising at two different colleges. Currently she is an elementary school counselor enjoying the rewards and challenges of working with a younger population.
Marti Miller
School Counselor, Smoketree Elementary School
Marti Miller has a master’s in counseling psychology and also obtained a degree in school counseling. She has served children and their families for over 28 years in various capacities. She began her career in an elementary school setting working with children who were identified as at-risk. She worked in juvenile probation and spent time working with CPS families. She is currently back serving students in an elementary school setting.
Planning your School Calendar - A Guide to Modeling your Calendar after the ASCA National Model
The demands of school counselors are greater than most people realize! The day to day struggles leave many counselors hopeless on how to turn their Counseling Program into one that truly follows the National Model. Join us for a refresher on the basics of the ASCA National Model and how to effectively build your annual calendar to match the standards. Leave with practical resources to manage your calendar in a more efficient way!
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, New Counselors
Levels
Middle / Jr. High, Secondary
Presenters
Heather Churney
Assistant Professor, Concordia University - Irvine
Heather serves as an Assistant Professor and the Director of School of School Counseling at Concordia University, Irvine. She holds her PPS Certification in California and Arizona and has served as a high school counselor for 12 years. She has experience building school counseling departments from the ground up and has worked with caseloads as low as 140 students to as high as 1,200 students.
Assistant Professor, Concordia University - Irvine
Heather serves as an Assistant Professor and the Director of School of School Counseling at Concordia University, Irvine. She holds her PPS Certification in California and Arizona and has served as a high school counselor for 12 years. She has experience building school counseling departments from the ground up and has worked with caseloads as low as 140 students to as high as 1,200 students.
Text, Talk, Act
With Arizona school counselors spread thin and youth mental health challenges on the rise, how can a counselor keep the pulse on their students? Tucson Unified School District launched a strategy to bring school counselors into the classroom so they could better understand the needs of and develop relationships with students. Using Text, Talk, Act, a peer-to-peer activity that utilizes text messaging to get students talking in small groups, counselors help improve coping strategies of their students, increase understanding of mental health challenges, and connect students to needed resources. Text, Talk, Act is a free resource for Arizona schools
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Health and Wellness
Levels
Middle / Jr. High, Secondary
Presenters
Raquel Goodrich
CEO, Text, Talk, Act
Ms. Goodrich is the CEO of Text, Talk, Act. Under her leadership, over 250,000 young people across the country have used the platform.
Text, Talk, Act was a finalist for Harvard Ash Center’s Innovations in Government Award in 2015 and 2107 and won the Project of the Year in 2014 by the International Association of Public Participation.
Ms. Goodrich was previously the Deputy Director of the University of Arizona’s National Institute for Civil Discourse.
Rebecca Carrier
District Coordinator - School Counseling Department, Tucson Unified School District
Ms. Carrier is the Tucson Unified School District School Counseling Department District Coordinator. Ms. Carrier oversees the school counselors for the district and helps to identify and deliver social-emotional learning curriculum to students. Ms. Carrier was previously a school counselor at Cienga High School, where she worked directly with youth for over 10 years.
CEO, Text, Talk, Act
Ms. Goodrich is the CEO of Text, Talk, Act. Under her leadership, over 250,000 young people across the country have used the platform.
Text, Talk, Act was a finalist for Harvard Ash Center’s Innovations in Government Award in 2015 and 2107 and won the Project of the Year in 2014 by the International Association of Public Participation.
Ms. Goodrich was previously the Deputy Director of the University of Arizona’s National Institute for Civil Discourse.
Rebecca Carrier
District Coordinator - School Counseling Department, Tucson Unified School District
Ms. Carrier is the Tucson Unified School District School Counseling Department District Coordinator. Ms. Carrier oversees the school counselors for the district and helps to identify and deliver social-emotional learning curriculum to students. Ms. Carrier was previously a school counselor at Cienga High School, where she worked directly with youth for over 10 years.
What's Your Natural High?
Come learn about free resources and lessons to help you provide your students with a drug prevention program that inspires and empowers youth to find their natural high and develop the skills and courage to live life well.
Presenters
Justin Curran
School Counselor, Borman K-8
Justin Curran is a School Counselor in the Tucson Unified School District at Borman K-8 and has been a Counselor for 12 years. He was fortunate to RAMP at John B. Wright in his first year as a Counselor and has been recognized as the TUSD Elementary School Counselor of the Year in 2015 and has been a finalist for the District SCOY twice. He and his wife Erin, who is also a public school educator, have just had their first child named Remi Roselia and are looking forward to her impacting the world in a positive way.
Anne Cordasco
Retired School Counselor
School Counselor, Borman K-8
Justin Curran is a School Counselor in the Tucson Unified School District at Borman K-8 and has been a Counselor for 12 years. He was fortunate to RAMP at John B. Wright in his first year as a Counselor and has been recognized as the TUSD Elementary School Counselor of the Year in 2015 and has been a finalist for the District SCOY twice. He and his wife Erin, who is also a public school educator, have just had their first child named Remi Roselia and are looking forward to her impacting the world in a positive way.
Anne Cordasco
Retired School Counselor
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LEARNING SESSION 6
1:00PM to 1:50PM
1:00PM to 1:50PM
TRAUMA Leads to DRAMA
TRAUMA Leads to DRAMA: Using the Whole Child Approach (WCA) model to work through trauma and reduce drama.
Trauma causes several disruptions in the wellbeing of students and families. All of the risk factors are ether causal or highly correlated with trauma. Trauma will always manifest itself in some type of social or emotional drama. Schools should focus on the whole student by providing an integrative approach to students by using the Whole Child Approach (WCA). It is an integrative program that facilitates the learning of developmental skills integral to youth’s cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
Trauma causes several disruptions in the wellbeing of students and families. All of the risk factors are ether causal or highly correlated with trauma. Trauma will always manifest itself in some type of social or emotional drama. Schools should focus on the whole student by providing an integrative approach to students by using the Whole Child Approach (WCA). It is an integrative program that facilitates the learning of developmental skills integral to youth’s cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Student Achievement and Success
Levels
Middle / Jr. High, Secondary
Presenters
D'amond Gladson
School Counselor, Cartwright School District
Bilingual “Spanish and English” Black Psychological Therapist and School Counselor with a Doctorate Degree. I work with all client ages, backgrounds, and behavioral needs. I have an in-depth understanding of psychological disorders, treatments, diagnosis, interventions, and referrals. I provide solution to problems by using client’s strengths to combat challenges.
I have treated an array of challenges while providing psychotherapy. I am able to use my diverse background and education to provide support and understanding.
School Counselor, Cartwright School District
Bilingual “Spanish and English” Black Psychological Therapist and School Counselor with a Doctorate Degree. I work with all client ages, backgrounds, and behavioral needs. I have an in-depth understanding of psychological disorders, treatments, diagnosis, interventions, and referrals. I provide solution to problems by using client’s strengths to combat challenges.
I have treated an array of challenges while providing psychotherapy. I am able to use my diverse background and education to provide support and understanding.
A Data Revolution: Increasing Arizona's FAFSA and College Attainment Rates
Join the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) as we take a deep dive into the newly developed FAFSA database that automates and streamlines student-level FAFSA data to high schools. Learn about the customized and interactive database that provides FAFSA and college attainment data, reports, data visualizations, strategic outreach resources, and actionable data that reflect your student population to increase your high school's FAFSA completion rate. In addition, ABOR will share information on this database's future phases, which will incorporate college attainment and community partner engagement. As a Bonus, this session will also include an overview of ABOR's new college-readiness website.
Tracks
Student Achievement and Success, New Counselors
Levels
Secondary
Presenter
Julie Sainz
Assistant Director - FAFSA Programs, Arizona Board of Regents
Julie Sainz is the Assistant Director of FAFSA Programs for the Arizona Board of Regents, where she manages the Arizona FAFSA Challenge program and statewide FAFSA completion initiatives. Prior to this position, she served as the Financial Aid Manager and Interim Director for Glendale Community College. In addition, she has led several statewide initiatives to develop financial aid awareness campaigns. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arizona State University
Assistant Director - FAFSA Programs, Arizona Board of Regents
Julie Sainz is the Assistant Director of FAFSA Programs for the Arizona Board of Regents, where she manages the Arizona FAFSA Challenge program and statewide FAFSA completion initiatives. Prior to this position, she served as the Financial Aid Manager and Interim Director for Glendale Community College. In addition, she has led several statewide initiatives to develop financial aid awareness campaigns. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Arizona State University
Infusing Mindfulness with Intention Into School Culture
Are you interested in learning how to facilitate an initiative of school-wide calm corners, while simultaneously getting teachers excited about creating the space for their classroom? Gain insight on how to present evidenced-based benefits of calm corners to school staff to get their buy in and take ownership in constructing this space for students.
Beyond the classroom, gain insight into the benefits, logistics, funding sources and items needed to curate a functional and responsive mindfulness space to foster a school culture emphasizing social emotional learning as a cornerstone in student's reaching their academic potential.
Beyond the classroom, gain insight into the benefits, logistics, funding sources and items needed to curate a functional and responsive mindfulness space to foster a school culture emphasizing social emotional learning as a cornerstone in student's reaching their academic potential.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Health and Wellness
Levels
Elementary
Presenter
Jessie Davis
School Counselor, Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School
This is my 4th year as school counselor at Kyrene de la Estrella elementary. I graduated with a Master's from Pepperdine University in Clinical Psychology in 2013, and a Bachelor's in Human Services Counseling with a minor in Addiction Treatment from UNLV in 2009. I have 9 years experience as a provider in the mental health field, providing therapy to individuals, families, facilitating substance abuse treatment, and now a school counselor- my favorite thus far!
Clarissa Duran-Ceda
School Counselor, Kyrene de la Mirada and Kyrene del Cielo Elementary Schools
This is my 4th year as a school counselor in the Kyrene School District and I am at two elementary schools, Kyrene de la Mirada and Kyrene del Cielo. I graduated with my master’s degree from Arizona State University’s School of Social Work in 2019. I recently completed my school counselor certification at California State San Marcos. I have 7 years of experience working at several behavioral health agencies in the valley providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. All of those experiences have been a steppingstone in my greatest career yet of being an elementary school counselor!
School Counselor, Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School
This is my 4th year as school counselor at Kyrene de la Estrella elementary. I graduated with a Master's from Pepperdine University in Clinical Psychology in 2013, and a Bachelor's in Human Services Counseling with a minor in Addiction Treatment from UNLV in 2009. I have 9 years experience as a provider in the mental health field, providing therapy to individuals, families, facilitating substance abuse treatment, and now a school counselor- my favorite thus far!
Clarissa Duran-Ceda
School Counselor, Kyrene de la Mirada and Kyrene del Cielo Elementary Schools
This is my 4th year as a school counselor in the Kyrene School District and I am at two elementary schools, Kyrene de la Mirada and Kyrene del Cielo. I graduated with my master’s degree from Arizona State University’s School of Social Work in 2019. I recently completed my school counselor certification at California State San Marcos. I have 7 years of experience working at several behavioral health agencies in the valley providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. All of those experiences have been a steppingstone in my greatest career yet of being an elementary school counselor!
Using My Future AZ for ECAP Success
Are you struggling to create meaningful career exploration opportunities with your students? Maybe you are looking for strategies to organize your students' plans for after high school? Look no further than My Future AZ to help you and your students with their future plans. Learn how to implement the user friendly platform, My Future AZ, with your middle school and high school students to create Education and Career Action Plans that are relevant and easy to review.
Tracks
School Counseling Programs and Curriculum, Student Achievement and Success
Levels
Middle / Jr. High, Secondary
Presenter
Emily Brown
Director of School Counselors, ADE
Emily is currently working as the Director of School Counselors at the Arizona Department of Education. With over 12 years of experience working in K-12 education as a School Counselor and JAG Coordinator, she brings unique perspectives from her experiences working in both Ohio and Arizona. With a strong background in implementing the ASCA National Model, she is passionate about promoting comprehensive school counseling programs.
Director of School Counselors, ADE
Emily is currently working as the Director of School Counselors at the Arizona Department of Education. With over 12 years of experience working in K-12 education as a School Counselor and JAG Coordinator, she brings unique perspectives from her experiences working in both Ohio and Arizona. With a strong background in implementing the ASCA National Model, she is passionate about promoting comprehensive school counseling programs.
Working with Foster Youth
I will review best practices in working with Youth in foster care. This will include vocabulary and a brief overview of the DCS system. It will include skills and ways to support teachers in working with foster youth as well. Participants will get examples and collaborate on ways to support foster youth in their schools and specific things to being back to their schools for all staff to use.
Tracks
Student Achievement and Success, New Counselors
Levels
All Levels
Presenter
Ann Conway
School Counselor, Tucson Magnet School
Ann Conway has been a counselor in Tucson Unified for 11 years, primarily at the Middle and High School level. She has worked with a wide range of students and foster youth in the school system and in behavioral health. She has also been a foster parent for over 3 years for all ages of kids (babies to teenagers!).
School Counselor, Tucson Magnet School
Ann Conway has been a counselor in Tucson Unified for 11 years, primarily at the Middle and High School level. She has worked with a wide range of students and foster youth in the school system and in behavioral health. She has also been a foster parent for over 3 years for all ages of kids (babies to teenagers!).
You Are Not Alone! Discovering Support Through Comprehensive School Mental Health
What does it mean to be a mental health champion? You don’t have to guess, there is already a roadmap available to you. Comprehensive school mental health systems provide an array of supports and services that promote positive school climate, social and emotional learning, and mental health and well-being, while reducing the prevalence and severity of mental illness. In this session, school counselors will become familiar with the foundational steps and free tools used to develop these systems.
Tracks
Health and Wellness, Advocacy
Levels
All Levels
Presenters
Amy Castellanos
Project AWARE Coordinator, Arizona Department of Education
Amy Castellanos is a public health leader that champions health equity through creating healing centered environments. Her current role as Project AWARE Coordinator for Arizona Department of Education, focuses on the implementation of comprehensive school mental health systems. Amy’s approach utilizes a framework where public health, mental health and education intersect to transform systems that support youth. Her secret talent is to hold space for transition through brave conversations, innovative programming, and laughter.
Project AWARE Coordinator, Arizona Department of Education
Amy Castellanos is a public health leader that champions health equity through creating healing centered environments. Her current role as Project AWARE Coordinator for Arizona Department of Education, focuses on the implementation of comprehensive school mental health systems. Amy’s approach utilizes a framework where public health, mental health and education intersect to transform systems that support youth. Her secret talent is to hold space for transition through brave conversations, innovative programming, and laughter.
Autumn White
Project AWARE Coordinator, Arizona Department of Education
Autumn White is currently a Project AWARE Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Education. She holds an M.S. in Professional Counseling and an M.Ed. in Special Education and has been humbly serving in the mental health and educational fields for over 20 years. Her unique experience in both mental health and education allows her to lead educational and mental health teams to work in tandem to serve Arizona’s school aged youth and their families.
Project AWARE Coordinator, Arizona Department of Education
Autumn White is currently a Project AWARE Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Education. She holds an M.S. in Professional Counseling and an M.Ed. in Special Education and has been humbly serving in the mental health and educational fields for over 20 years. Her unique experience in both mental health and education allows her to lead educational and mental health teams to work in tandem to serve Arizona’s school aged youth and their families.
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