Counselor Connection
Education Service Center Region 11 • March 2020
A Message from Dr. B.
Texas School Counselor Association Conference 2020
Cosmic Counselor in Action Recognition Program
Cosmic Counselor in Action ~ Ms. Jill Adams
Current Position: Counseling Coordinator
What influenced you to become a school counselor, college adviser, social worker, or counselor leader?
This is my 20th year in education, but I have always loved working with kids and families and I love hearing people's stories! I was a middle school English teacher and cheer coach prior to becoming a counselor, and very quickly I realized that I wanted to be a school counselor! I believe the role of school counselor has the power to impact so many facets of the school community. After 10 years as a campus counselor, I felt ready to bring my advocacy and passion for what counselors do to the district level, and it has been such an adventure and blessing to be in my current position!
Name an initiative or change that you were a part of that promoted advocacy for fellow counselors or students. Describe how that change has impacted your role or the lives of students.
I would say that the realignment of the CREST Counseling Award to the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs is the initiative I would mention. I get to serve on the Texas School Counselor Association board as the CREST Award co-chair. The CREST award recognizes exemplary comprehensive school counseling programs in the state of Texas and is aligned to the Texas Model. When I stepped in as the chair, the Texas Model had just been released, and the CREST was not aligned to it. As a board, we worked to realign the CREST Award components to the Texas Model, which is a huge advocacy tool for professional school counselors in Texas. Having a comprehensive school counseling program impacts the lives of students because it illustrates the effectiveness of the role of a professional school counselor when they are able to serve in the true role of a counselor.
What are you proudest of in your current position?
I work in a district that truly values the role of counselors and social workers in the school setting. Our department supports more than 150 mental health professionals, both on campus and in itinerant positions. In my current role, I get to do a lot of system development and work with many programs such as AVID, Collegiate Academy, dual credit, and social-emotional learning. What I am most proud of is that, despite the many hats that I have the privilege and opportunity to wear, I still feel very connected to the campus and district initiatives that we support. The direct support that I get to provide to our counselors and administrators is very important in achieving our department and district vision. An example of this is that every new counselor to our district participates in two years of cohorts with counseling administration to ensure that they are equipped to do their jobs, have a collaborative group to do it with, and that we are walking the journey with them!
When the work gets hard, how do you find a balance between your work and personal life?
My professional identity is rooted in the balance between my career and my family and personal life. I learned early on in my counseling experiences that not having this balance is detrimental to my work performance, health, and family life. I have learned to have strong boundaries, find joy in whatever I am doing, ask for help when I need it, and always be very grateful and gracious that I get to do this every day!
What advice would you give to future counselors, college advisers, or social workers?
I love this question! I would say that knowing your why and your purpose is critical in every season of your career! It is very easy to get bogged down with the "busy" that we all seem to find. I am lucky to be an eternal optimist who looks for hope in all situations, but it is important to make the choice early on that no matter what you are doing, do it with purpose. This work will never be easy, but the impact that it can have on others is a legacy that you get to choose when you enter these professions!
TEA Tidbits
TEA Mental Health Upcoming Supports
TEA is working diligently to provide LEAs with a host of resources that support mental health initiatives. Although there is not an official launch date as of yet, the portal of services should go live no later than August 30, 2020.Additionally, our local Mental Health & School Safety Task Force was integral in the collection of community resources from across all 10 counties within Region 11. This incredible resource is made up of nearly 350 supports, and these will be posted in an upcoming newsletter and on the counseling website, pending TEA guidance.
PK-12 STEM Education Website Launched
Stay connected to PK-12 STEM Education through our new STEM website HERE. Be sure to sign up for the new STEM newsletter today.
Contact Michelle Sedberry, STEM Coordinator, at michelle.sedberry@tea.texas.gov for more information.
TSIA 2.0 (March 6 session is full but a second session is available on March 5; click schedule below for registration)
Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA) testing administrators from both institutions of higher education and school districts/high schools are required to attend mandatory training prior to the launch of TSIA2. The new test will be activated on August 31, 2020, at which time the current version will no longer be available. Two institutional administrators familiar with TSIA testing practices are required to attend one of the scheduled sessions this spring. See the TSIA Training On-Site Workshops: Schedule and Registration document for dates, locations, and registration links HERE.
Upcoming Sessions
Foreign & Domestic Transcript Training - March 31, 2020
Foreign Transcript Training - 25219
- Are you interested in a framework for interpreting and better understanding foreign transcripts?
- Does your campus or district lack consistent practices in interpreting and awarding credit for foreign transcripts?
- Would you like to know resources for finding information regarding courses and grading scales from around the world?
- Do you wish you had a manual with step-by-step guidance?
If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, then this training is for you! You will learn a framework for interpreting foreign transcripts from our most common countries here in Texas along with some guidance for dissecting transcripts from less common countries. Bring your transcripts and questions to finally get some answers and direction!
https://registration.esc11.net/catalog/sessions/25219/47956
Domestic Transcript Training - 25229
Understanding and working through domestic transcripts can be challenging. This workshop will help clarify requirements of the AAR, how to code in PEIMS, and interpretation recommendations for reviewing transcripts from around the nation and in Texas.
Counselor Clusters
Parker County (Session # 48252) - March 27 (9:00 -11:00 a.m.)
Johnson County Cluster Cleburne ISD (Link coming soon) - April 2 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
Denton County (Session #47971) - April 16 (9:00 -11:00 a.m.)
Charter School Personnel Only Counselor Cluster (Session #48556) - April 17 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.)
There is a two-step registration process for the event.
Registration: https://registration.esc11.net/catalog/sessions/25202/47935
Student Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdtHrzaIPVS3Ohmx9fSUphny99UDkXcdlpXYtfytDd_6Rha-w/viewform
AS+K Suicide Prevention Program Trainer-of-Trainers - June 15, 2020 (Must register and pay by 4/10/20)
House Bill 18
Lindsay Turnham
Counties Served: Johnson, Parker, Palo Pinto, Hood, Somervell, and Erath Counties
817-579-4471
Rebecca Dell
Counties Served: Tarrant County
817-569-5299
Denise French
Counties Served: Wise County
940-397-3368
2020 Youth Preparedness Camp Opportunity
2020 Youth Preparedness Camp Team Application Now Available!
Do you know a group of teenagers who want to help their school and community be more prepared for emergency situations? Could these teenagers benefit from a five-day camp where they will learn basic response skills, teamwork, and action planning, all in a stimulating and fun environment?
The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC) is now accepting applications for the 2020 Youth Preparedness Camp. TxSSC will provide scholarships to teams of 10 individuals (9 youth and 1 adult) to attend camp, which will take place June 14-18, 2020, at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. Scholarships include lodging and meals, all training materials, and a CERT backpack with equipment. The only cost to teams will be travel to and from the camp.
Participants (including the adult sponsor) will receive a full 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training that includes a certificate of completion, develop a community action plan as a team, and acquire the leadership skills needed to address emergency preparedness in their schools and/or communities when they return home — all while having one of the most exciting weeks of the summer!
How to Apply
Youth, along with an adult sponsor, should apply to attend camp as a group, and submit all application materials together. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 17, 2020.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please feel free to contact Julie Palmer, Youth Preparedness Coordinator, by email at julie.palmer@txstate.edu or by phone at (512) 245-6624.
Dear Sandy
I'm looking for a free resource to support SEL efforts on my campus. Are there any credible free resources for ALL grade levels?
~Budget Boss
Dear Budget Boss,
Finding high-quality free or low-cost SEL programs can be challenging; however, EverFi is a great free resource with modules built for K-12 populations. Check out Everfi.com!
I'm in charge of reviewing foreign transcripts and I often get confused with the grading scales for Mexico and El Salvador. Do you have any resources to help me?
~Global Gleanings
Dear Global Gleanings,
Reviewing foreign transcripts can be a very stressful task, and the slight differences between the Mexico and El Salvador grading scales can make it even more complicated. Here's a resource that should help you make the most accurate interpretation!
Dr. Sandy Benavidez
Email: sandybenavidez@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/domain/421
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Twitter: @ESCR11Counselor