Education
**ASCA National Model – American School Counselor Association**

Latest Episodes:

Building Inclusivity: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students and Families Jun 22, 2021

Show notes

Do you want to make your school more inclusive? Whether you are working with older students newly coming out as LGBTQ+ or younger students to help them see the value in all different types of people and families, this is the place for you. Learn how to make inclusive language choices, use your physical space to normalize different student identities and different-looking families, and confidently employ intervention strategies for when things go wrong. Please click here for webinar handout and here for additional resources.

Earn 0.1 CEUs/1 contact hours for this webinar by purchasing and passing the corresponding quiz found in the Specialists and Exams section of the Online Store. Search by keyword of the webinar title to find the exam in the online store. CEU exams are available for three years following the live webinar.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this webinar you should be able to:

Provide basic definitions, such as LGBTQ+, heteronormativity, cisgender
Explain the difference between common but exclusionary language and more inclusive alternatives
Strategize how to make their spaces more inclusive
Discuss strategies for intervening in situations that come up in their classroom/building

Presenter:

Anne-Marie Sklarwitz, SEL Coordination and Remote Student Support, Westwood High School (Westwood, Mass.)

Original air date: June 21, 2021

**Use the Nurtured Heart Approach as a Trauma Informed Approach** Jun 11, 2021
Show notes

Foundational to a trauma-informed school is creating an environment where the student is in a state of receptivity, not survival, regardless of the student’s past trauma. One way to encourage receptivity is to implement The Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA), which creates a warm, caring and connected classroom environment. The NHA is a relationship-focused methodology founded strategically in “The 3 Stands” for helping children (and adults) build Inner Wealth and use their intensity in successful ways. It has become a powerful way of awakening student agency in managing the effects of their trauma, which results in better emotional management, resiliency, mindfulness and classroom success. The essence of NHA is a set of core methodologies originally developed for working with the most difficult children, particularly children who have experienced trauma. It has a proven impact on every child, including those who are challenged behaviorally, socially and academically. Click here for the webinar handout.

Earn 0.1 CEUs/1 contact hours for this webinar by purchasing and passing the corresponding quiz found in the Specialists and Exams section of the Online Store. Search by keyword of the webinar title to find the exam in the online store. *CEU exams are available for three years following the live webinar.*

**Learning Objectives:**

After attending this webinar, you should be able to:

1. Explain the signs of trauma
2. Explain why conventional methods of managing children of trauma often fail despite the best of intentions
3. Shift a challenging child to using his or her intensity in successful ways, even if the child is diagnosed with ADHD, ODD or exhibits other difficult behavior.
4. Apply the core methodologies of the Nurtured Heart Approach to build Inner Wealth in all children and create a richer and safer school environment.

**Presenter:** Christine Abrahams, Ed.D., LPC, LMHC, NCC, ACS
Home Education School Counselor, Lee County, Fort Myers, Fla.

**Original air date:** June 11, 2021

Use DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats for Success During Critical Student Meetings Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

Hear how DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats is a method to use during student, teacher and/or parent meetings to foster critical thinking with a problem-solving focus. Using this method during critical student meetings helps eliminate confusion and creates a visual representation that provides an effective means for school counselors to conceptualize and present issues pertaining to students, ultimately leading to solutions. Learn how this technique also applies to the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. Please click here for the webinar handout.

Learning objectives:

After attending this webinar, you should be able to:

Examine the components of DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats technique during critical student meetings in the school counseling setting.
Experience the engagement, focus and visual representation this method brings to critical student meetings.
Analyze the effectiveness of DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats technique.

Presenters:

Jacqueline L. Wirth, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Counseling School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Summer Perhay Kuba, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Counseling School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Laura Martin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Counseling School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Kerry Lamphere Bowles,Assistant Professor of Counseling, School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University

Original air date: June 3, 2021, 11 a.m. Eastern

Build SEL with LEGO Activities Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

2021 ASCA Webinar Series: Build SEL with LEGO® Activities

Discover and experience engaging and meaningful small-group activities using LEGO® materials to promote positive social/emotional development, creative expression and collaboration. Activities are designed primarily for use with K–8 students and are applicable to various small-group topics such as emotion management, family and life changes, growth mindset, and self-esteem. Please click here for the webinar handout.

Learning objectives:

After attending this webinar, you will be able to:

Explain the rationale for utilizing LEGO® activities in group counseling to support SEL.
Identify LEGO® activities that can be implemented to address various small-group topics.
Competently facilitate small group LEGO® activities in your school.

Speaker:

Derek Tulluck, M.Ed., NBCT, Associate Faculty, Professional School Counseling Program, City University of Seattle

Original air date: April 20, 2021, 1 p.m. Eastern

2021 ASCA Webinar Series: Building SEL with LEGO® Activities

Celebrate College Signing Day (2021) Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

2021 ASCA Webinar Series: Celebrate College Signing Day

ASCA is pleased to join Reach Higher to help you plan your best College Signing Day celebration yet, especially online. Former First Lady Michelle Obama is committed to helping students reach higher by completing their education past high school. She continues to celebrate College Signing Day through Reach Higher to recognize the hard work of students to pursue and complete their postsecondary education, whether at a two-year school, four-year university or through an industry-recognized credential or the military. Reach Higher encourages you to celebrate College Signing Day online, virtually, and via social media to recognize students’ efforts and accomplishments. During this webinar, Reach Higher, which is now at the Common App, will share a toolkit to help you host a signing day celebration online with your students and introduce you to new partners to help you make this your best signing day yet.

To access/download the College Signing Day Toolkit, please visit https://www.bettermakeroom.org/collegesigningday/

Learning objectives
After viewing this webinar you should be able to:

Celebrate College Signing Day with students and your communities, including digital options
Share details of your signing day celebrations with the Reach Higher/Better Make Room team
Remain involved with Mrs. Obama’s college-completion effort

Original air date:

March 22, 2021, 2-3 p.m. Eastern

School Counselor Performance Appraisal Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In your role, are you responsible for supervising practicing school counselors? Hear about the importance of providing meaningful feedback in this role to ensure effective delivery and planning of direct and indirect services in your school or district. Discuss school counselor’s impact on student achievement, program goals, student needs, and school’s overall mission and vision.

Learning objectives:

After viewing this webinar you should be able to:

Apply sample observation tools, aligned with ASCA and state standards, when evaluating school counselors to provide ongoing feedback
Facilitate evaluation conferences to provide meaningful feedback regarding strengths and areas of growth through the use of specific talking points
Support school counselors in developing professional, data-informed goals and programming to meet students’ needs

Presenters:

Danielle Hornbecker, Middle School Director of Student Services, Fairfax County Public Schools
Sonya Williams, High School Director of Student Services, Fairfax County Public Schools.

Original air date:

March 8, 2021, 2 p.m. Eastern

Address Postsecondary Readiness at the Middle Level Mar 04, 2021

Show notes

Learn strategies to help your middle level students explore colleges, discover career interests and build soft skills. Hear simple tips to motivate students and incentivize a postsecondary readiness program in a way that is inclusive and accessible for all. Walk away with sample activities to get the program started, and discover ways to use data to capture student voice and evaluate the program. Based on the needs of your students and availability of local options, learn how to tailor a meaningful college and career exploration experience for your middle school.

Learning objectives:

After viewing this webinar you will be able to:

Implement strategies into your core college and career counseling program to engage all students.
Infuse technology-based experiences to create simple activities and lessons.
Identify ways to collaborate within your school and community.
Integrate local existing college and career resources with your incentive program.

Presenters:

Laurie Tristan, Lead Counselor, MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate School, Santa Ana, CA
Christine Silva, School Counselor, MacArthur Intermediate School, Santa Ana, CA

Original air date: March 3, 2021

The Resiliency Journey Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

The added stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the typical stress of a school day, can cause significant challenges for school counselors. Self-care strategies are a critical component to maintaining positive mental health and can increase school counselors’ ability to be their best to support students and colleagues during these challenging times. Get tools, tips and resources to help you avoid compassion fatigue and burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, and learn about key strategies for recovery and resilience. The webinar handout can be found here.

Additional resources: Handout1 and Handout2.

Learning objectives:

After viewing this webinar you should be able to:

Discuss the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other disasters
Explain wellness and resiliency and how this aligns with the school counselor’s role
List current challenges and reframe them into opportunities to increase your well-being and efficacy
Develop a self-care plan with actionable next steps

Speakers:

Ernest Cox Jr., Ph.D., school counselor consultant and director of counseling and wellness, EC Counseling and Wellness, LLC
Natalie Fikac, Ed.D., AWARE state coordinator for the Texas Education Agency
Elizabeth Granzow, special projects coordinator at 7-Dippity Inc.
Curtis T. Jenkins, retired state school counseling consultant with the Student Support Services Project at the Florida Department of Education
Scott Sevin, president, 7-Dippity Inc.

Original air date:

Feb. 23, 2021

Build a Positive School Culture via a Student Leadership Team Feb 17, 2021

Show notes

The mission of the BIONIC Team (Believe it or Not I Care) is to increase peer-to-peer connections through positive activities throughout the school year. We focus on welcoming new students; reaching out to hospitalized students, students with extended illness/health conditions; students, families and staff who experience the death of a loved one; other schools that experience tragedies; and empowering bystanders to prevent bullying. The BIONIC team plays a key leadership role in schoolwide initiatives such as PBIS, connecting communities and leadership opportunities. Learn about schoolwide initiatives that are sponsored by our BIO.IC team, such as Starts with Hello Week, 10-10 I Care Day, Let it Go Day and many more. Leave with a guide to easily implement your own program at your school. Please click here for the webinar handout.

Learning objectives:

After viewing this webinar you should be able to:

Discuss the purpose of the BIONIC team, how to implement one within the school building, and how this team can have a positive impact on your school counseling program.
Strategize ways to provide opportunities for students in leadership, creating peer-to-peer relationships as well as community connections.
Explain how to implement schoolwide activities that will create connections within your community.

Speakers:

Laura Hogue, School Counselor, Bedford City School District, Ohio
Leah McKeen, Teacher, Bedford City School District, Ohio

Original Air Date: Feb. 16, 2021, 3-4 p.m. Eastern

Tech Tools for School Counselors: Designing Learning and Designing Futures Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Tech Tools for School Counselors- Designing Learning and Designing Futures

Although school were using technology to assist in learning well before COVID-19, technology has become central to education in unprecedented ways since the pandemic. Learn key aspects of both instructional and computational design to build learning activities and experiences to support the diverse range of school counseling roles and student learning. Learn to apply technology to 21st-century learning, and discover how to upgrade your practice through crisis and into the future. Please click here for accompanying handout and here for additional information.

Learning outcomes:

Participants will identify key principle’s of both instructional design and computational design to aid student personalized learning experience.
Participants will be able to describe key elements of technology in education including collaboration, leadership, design and analysis.
Participants will be able to list at least three tolls to assist in data collection or student learning.

Presenters:

Angela Cleveland, MSEd, MEd., MA, and Stephen Sharp, M.Ed.

Original Air Date: Jan. 19, 2021, 2-3 p.m. EST