2017 Annual Conference

Carl Buck

Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator, Supervisor

This presentation is a general overview of the college financial aid process and how a student can use ‘personal branding’ to market themselves to schools.  The session will cover how to appeal a financial aid award and understanding the institutions use of ‘professional judgment’.   Key topics of discussion include:

• Importance of early college planning
• Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Understanding the Net Price Calculator (NPC)
• The financial aid award letter
• Loan options

 Many families focus on the college search, selection and admission process. We believe that figuring out how to pay for college is also an important part of this process. ‘College Financial Aid 101’ helps families understand the ins and outs of college financial aid. It covers topics such as:

• How financial aid eligibility is determined
• How to maximize grants and scholarships
• How to read your Award Letter

This presentation will also address common financial aid myths and real questions from other families going through this process.

Agenda:

• Common Financial Aid Myths
• What Is Financial Aid?
• Grants & Scholarships
• Federal Work-Study
• Student Loan Options
• The Financial Aid Formula
• Expected Family Contribution
• The Financial Aid Award Letter
• Special Circumstances – How & When to Appeal
• Questions
• Website for additional information:  CollegeCovered.com/Assist  

Our Mission

To help people spend smarter, manage debt better and save more so they achieve a brighter financial future. 

We are committed to lend responsibly and encourage students and parents to maximize grants, scholarships and other free financial aid before taking student loans. We recommend students and parents compare the features of federal and private student loans and choose the loans that best fit their needs.

Zane Shelfer

Middle
Secondary

If you have ever wondered what happens when a student enters the Department of Juvenile Justice School System, this presentation is for you. Come learn how the Department of Juvenile Justice School System is working to build a better future for students while they are enrolled. An overview of the agency and school system will be provided. In addition, information about programs, graduation, reentry, and transition into and out of the system will be discussed.

 

This presentation will provide school counselors insight into the DJJ school system and the experiences their students have while in the school system. Learning objectives are: awareness of the agency and school system, understanding curriculum and academic programs offered students, awareness of reentry and transition considerations when students return to their home school.

Shaketha Blankenship
Tamila Jackson-Whitaker

Elementary
Middle
Secondary

School counselors are integral in improving self-efficacy and the health of others. Balancing self-care and professional care is often a challenge for school counselors and other helping professionals. Due to ethical, emotional, and mental implications it is incumbent school counselors are aware of the importance of identifying and maintaining self-wellness. The purpose of the presentation is to provide an overview of counselor wellness, best practices of maintaining wellness, and strategies to establish a work-life balance.

School counselors are integral in improving self-efficacy and the health of others. Balancing self-care and professional care is often a challenge for school counselors and other helping professionals. Due to ethical, emotional, and mental implications it is incumbent school counselors are aware of the importance of identifying   and maintaining self-wellness. The purpose of the presentation is to provide an overview of counselor wellness, provide best practices of maintaining wellness, and provide strategies to establish a work-life balance.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance and ethical implications of self-wellness
• Identify barriers in balancing self-care and professional care
• Identify strategies and resources in assessing self-wellness
• Identify strategies and resources in maintaining self-wellness and a work-life balance

Opportunities for Participation:

Throughout the session, presenters will provide counselor impairment and counselor wellness  scenarios allowing discussion and dialogue. Participants will also have opportunities to share strategies. Participants will be provided with resources for best practices of maintaining self-wellness.

 

Tierney E. Langdon

Middle
Counselor Educator, Supervisor

Students considered "at risk" often show academic gaps in their fundamental skills necessary in education. Poor Academic performance can be a contributing factor to an adolescents negative self image. Students who gain support in academics, while learning to have personal value will increase their efforts in educational work and self assurance. In this session students begin to understand Growth Mindsets, and how Growth mindset language can positively impact a students attitude and success in education.

The goal of this Unit is for at risk students in the in the area of Math and
Literacy to be able to increase their Math and Literacy skills through the review of foundational skills, as well as
increasing their self image through Growth Mindset Language.
 Strategies to be utilized in achieving this goal will consist of a nine week long small group unit that includes progress monitoring activities, growth and fixed mindsets lessons, as well as familiarity with Growth Mindset Language. Students will meet one time a week for approximately 9 weeks, for a duration of 30 minutes a session. 
Students will set a personal End of Year grade goal and track their individual grade performance. Students will have
the oppportunity to reflect on their academic performance, celebrate success and recieve small group encouragement
to do the best they can. Students will also have the opportunity to increase their literacy skills through the use of
character education readings and activities. Students will participate in activities focusing on differentiated learning and peer collaboration. Lesson one will begin with a group opening, norms, a Mindset Survey for a pre test and an introduction to fixed vs. growth mindsets. Lesson 2 wil utilize a short video explaining the differences between growth and fixed mindsets. Lessons 3 through 6 will involve hands on activities that assist in how the brain learns, changing fixed mindset language to growth mindset language, illustrating a growth mindset and a poster project on growth mindset language and their meanings. Lessons 7 and 8 will require working together and utilizing a growth mindset, and participating in a cup stacking challenge. Finally lesson 9 will summarize the Unit by reflecting on observations, open discussion through the triangle response to questions craft.
The skills and insights participants should be able to gain are as follows:

Process data- students who are chosen for small group are defined as academically at risk students based on the beginning of the school years academic performance on core pre-tests.
Perception data- Students will have a stronger motivation for learning and working through academic challenges. Through the use of growth mindset language, students will be able to self motivate and increase their academic participation and performance. 
Expected Outcome data- students in the group will increase their math and language arts performance from first semester to second semester. Academic performance will be measured through progress monitoring, and an end of semester 2 percentage grade of a 70 or high in the area of Math and Language Arts.

The content of this unit includes materials from three different references. Items were recieved from

www.mindsetworks.com 

Carol Dweck's book titled "Mindsets: The New Psychology of Success

as well as video slides from youtube: Star wars exerpt- exemplifying growth Mindset from Yoda (lesson 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYUJxzh8Raw); Will Smiths Top 10 rules for Success (lesson 5-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBsT9omTeh0); Video "how to" on cup stacking challenge(lesson 8- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tejbh-dxHTQ)

Dr. Cedric Cooks, LPC, NCC, NCSC

Middle
Secondary

In the last decade, there have been great strides made in LGBT rights; however, change can come very slowly to the LGBTQ youth in our nation schools. Unforunately, LGBTQ students continue to experience widespread discrimination and harrassment in school which threatens their psychological well-being and impedes their educational outcomes. LGBTQ youth continue to report that they don't feel safe in school or supported by adults. Implementing appropriate resources are highly important and effective in changing the school climate for LGBTQ youth.

Program Content: Participants attending this session will have an opportunity to increase their advocacy for LGBTQ youth. Participants will learn about resources and how to implement these resources in their schools. These resources can be used with students and staff members to help reduce discrimination, harrassment and bullying in the school environment with LGBTQ youth. LGBTQ youth have reported feeling unsafe in school climates, hearing biased language from students and educators, and having their psychological well-being and educational endeavors suffer as a result of hostile school climates.

School-based supports such as comprehensive anti-bullying/harassment policies, school personnel who are supportive of LGBTQ students, Gay-Straight Alliances, and LGBT-inclusive curricular resources can positively affect school climate for LGBTQ students. When these resources and support systems are in place, positive school experiences, including lower victimization and absenteeism and higher academic achievement will follow. It is critical that counselors in collaboration with school leaders, education policymakers, and other individuals who are obligated to provide safe learning environments for all students take the following steps:

• Implement comprehensive school anti-bullying/harassment policies

• Support Gay-Straight Alliances

• Provide professional development for school staff on LGBTQ student issues

 • Increase student access to LGBT-inclusive curricular resources.

These actions can move us toward a future in which all students  will have the opportunity to learn and succeed in school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

We will examine where Georgia currently stands as it relates to providing safe and positive school environments for LGBTQ youth.

Dianne Lassai Barker
Sarah Wenham

Counselor Educator, Supervisor
Post-secondary/Admissions

Georgia’s Move on When Ready (MOWR) program provides students the opportunity to earn college credit while completing their high school graduation requirements.  With tuition, many fees, and textbooks covered by the program, and with many other benefits to enrolling in college while in high school, MOWR participation is growing.  Join us to learn more about the MOWR program and how your students can participate at the TCSG and USG colleges and universities across the state.

This session will provide participants with an overview of the MOWR program.  The following topics will be included:

• Student MOWR funding eligibility requirements;
• Program funding and possible student expenses;
• TCSG and USG MOWR admission requirements and procedures;
• Eligible college courses, tips for selecting courses, and the process for new courses to be approved;
• Benefits of enrolling in college prior to high school graduation; and,
• Review of MOWR online resources

During this session, there will be many opportunities for discussion and for participants to ask questions of the presenters.  No handouts are planned but participants will leave the session with an awareness of the online resources that are available.

 At the conclusion of the session, participants will:

• Have an awareness of the history of the MOWR program;
• Possess an understanding of the MOWR funding eligibility requirements, what the funding covers, and the possible student expenses;
• Be aware of the TCSG and USG MOWR admission requirements and procedures;
• Know where to access the listings of eligible college courses in the MOWR course directory and will have an understanding of the process for new courses to be added to the list;
• Be able to describe student benefits of participating in the program; and,
• Know where to go to access online resources related to the program.

Maret Paschal, Ed.S.

Elementary

The word "Transition" should evoke positive feelings.  But, moreso, it has a negative connotation among students and parents.  Transitioning especially from an elementary school to a middle school evokes a wide variety of emotions, behaviors, and concerns for upper elementary school students.  This workshop will include numerous strategies that prepares students in deeming transition as a positive change or movement.  Strategies for students (and parents) will be discussed for positive transitioning from the elementary school to a middle school level, prekindergarten level to the formal school setting, along with from one elementary grade level to the next grade level.

This guidance session will have a multi-modal delivery.  Program session attendees learning objectives/outcomes are:

*  to develop strategies and approaches to communicating and working with diverse student populations in addressing issues with student transitioning.

*  to advocate for student (individuals and collectively) success within the school and among community stakeholders.

*  promote a positive "Yes, you can!" attitude and school culture.

*  understand and promote the role of the school counselor among students, parents, school personnel, and community stakeholders to advocate and support one's school counseling program.

There will be a powerpoint that will outline the entire presentation, along with opportunities for group discussion, and a question and answer segment.  Handouts will be available for all attendees.

Dr. Dawn Mann
Rachel McCoy
Dr. Brent Shropshire

Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator, Supervisor

Participants will learn about FREE tools designed for counselors by The College Board (i.e. K-12 score portal, ready-made handouts, presentations, and advisement guides). New and enhanced features of the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy will be shared. Participants will leave with ideas for best practices to work smarter, not harder and a toolkit for implementing these resources in their schools or districts.

The College Board provides free resources and tools for school counselors to support student success. Former and current school counselors who have utilized these resources will share best practices to work smarter, not harder.
Participants will become aware of the resources available, gain knowledge on how to access and best utilize the following tools to promote college readiness: K-12 score portal, ready- made handouts/presentations, advisement guides; and the new and enhanced features of the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy.
Best practices will include an interactive demonstration on how to use the K-12 portal to identify students for further interventions (i.e. candidates for an SAT Prep Class, or PSAT interventions with targeted sub-groups); connecting students to Khan Academy for personalized practice; and a discussion on how to use the ready-made handouts, presentations and advisement guides. There will be opportunities throughout the session for attendees to share best practices and tips to avoid pitfalls.
Sharing these free resources will arm counselors with the tools needed to support student success. Counselors will walk away with information and materials they can use to implement in their schools without having to re-invent the wheel.

Laura Ross
Nicohl Shelton Webb

Elementary
Middle
Secondary
Independent
Counselor Educator, Supervisor
Post-secondary/Admissions

Twitter conjures up the worst of the internet: disjointed, meaningless phrases, unrecognizable abbreviations, mean tweets,  and endless drivel about what someone is wearing. So, why Tweet? School counselors can use Twitter to create a Professional Learning Network (PLN) to connect them with counselors from all over the world. Download the twitter app and learn Twitter basics, what Twitter has to offer school counselors, who to connect with, and experience a mini twitter chat. Get ready to learn Twitter #OneHashtagAtATime!

Twitter chats are a vital part of professional growth. This is where personalizing professional development through social media comes into focus. Here, individuals can share ideas, links to resources or inspirational quotes. Chats can also be the starting point for collaboration sessions with other educators.

At the end of this session, participants should be able to:

• understand the basics of Twitter
• recognize the benefits of building a Professional Learning Network (PLN) as a school counselor

• begin building their own PLN
• understand how to participate in a twitter chat..

• learn how to set up a Twitter account
• find people to follow
• learn about Twitter abbreviations and lingo
• participate in a live twitter chat at the end of the session (Please note: You must have at least 10 followers on Twitter before you can take part in Twitter chats. This is a way that Twitter protects against spam.)

Handouts will be minimal, but participants will be given a QR code with a link to a list of Twitter chats, including a manual for educators on how to grow their PLN and a Twitter cheat sheet will be given.  

Martine Mahoney

Secondary

Learn how your school can take advantage of Georgia's revolutionary career guidance program - YouScience. YouScience, which has been approved for use by the Georgia DOE and TCSG, uses aptitude based brain games to help students identify their natural talents. The program gives counselors analytics to help put the right students into the right programs. Presentation will include a demo of the YouScience assessment, the talent pipeline reports perfect for CTAE programs and post secondary pathways and implementation best practices.Find out how you can join, for FREE, the 100+ schools in GA already using YouScience.