"The Resilient School Counselor: Extending our Influence and Enhancing our Work”

Shorter Sessions (Alternatives to Full-Morning Institute)
Participants will attend one from 10:00-11:00 (A-C) and
one from 11:15-12:15 (D-F)

Professional Reflection Sessions
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choices on the Registration Form.

A. The NYS Comprehensive School Counseling Program Model (K-12)
This session overviews the new guide for K-12 implementation of comprehensive counseling programs created by NYSSCA. Aligned with the National Counseling Standards and the NYS standards, the model provides a framework for the systemic development, implementation, and evaluation of school counseling programs.

Presenters: Charles Todd, President, New York State School Counselor's Association and School Counselor, Martha Brown Middle School, Fairport Central School District

Christine Frederick, School Counselor, East High School, Rochester City School District

B. Kids’ On-line World: The Impact of the Internet and the Development of Communication Skills and Relationships (7-12)
Instant messaging, e-mail, and chat rooms afford children with new ways to communicate with one another, with parents, other family and with teachers and counselors. These methods of communication have strengths and limitations in how they help children learn communication skills. This interactive program will discuss specific concerns school counselors have with regard to these technologies and how they can address this in the counseling role. This workshop will include guidelines for parents and provide a “tool bag” for working with parents.

Presenter: Thomas Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Counselor Education Department, SUNY College at Brockport

C. Understanding How Students Learn: An Overview of the Neurodevelopmental Constructs of Learning for Counselors (K-12)
It is our responsibility as educators to understand students’ challenges in learning, how to help students understand their learning strengths and struggles, and to provide specific and appropriate strategies. In this workshop, you will review the major neurodevelopmental constructs that impact learning, learn how to develop a “learning profile,” and receive information about strategies that help students.

Presenter: Charlotte Harvey, School Psychologist, Greece Central School District

Professional Reflection Sessions
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Please indicate your 1st and 2nd choices on the Registration Form.

D. Group Career Counseling with Middle and High School Students: Strategies for Counselors (6-12)
Groups can be highly effective ways of helping middle and high school students as they begin their career development voyage. This interactive presentation will discuss specific methods of group career counseling and how these methods can be utilized to address career indecision in middle and high schools. Research from the literature will be summarized and handouts will be provided.

Presenters: Thomas Hernandez, Assistant Professor, Counselor Education Department, SUNY College at Brockport

Charles Todd, School Counselor, Martha Brown Middle School, Fairport Central School District

E. Inclusion as Opportunity: Counselors and Special Educators in Partnership (7-12)
As more and more students with disabilities are being included in their home schools, school communities may experience stress, frustration, and lots of questions. How do we work with this child? Can we really meet his needs? How can we maintain her self-esteem? What is a transition plan and what is our role in the plan? Inclusion can also be an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and community. This workshop will focus on the ways that school counselors and special educators can work together with the school community to make inclusion a successful experience for the students and the whole school community. Case studies of difficult to include students will be presented.

Presenter: Susan Hetherington, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Education, Strong Center for Developmental Disability

F. Counselor/Administrator Collaboration: Improving School Climate through Character Education (K-6)
A collaborative relationship can have a greater impact on school safety and learning than when individual professionals work independently. Each team member has a different leadership role that when combined can have a much greater impact on building climate, character education, and violence prevention.

Presenters: Tom Wiggins, School Counselor, Dalton Elementary School, Keshequa Central School District

Rich Greene, Principal, Dalton Elementary School, Keshequa Central School District

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