President’s Letter: The Heartbeat’s Ripple Effect

Welcome back, Texas school counselors. As I begin to prepare for the 2018-2019 school year, I reflect back on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference in July and lessons learned while growing professionally, networking and enjoying the laughter with counselors from across this great country.

One hundred fifty-two Texas school counselors descended on Los Angeles for this year’s ASCA conference, “Lights, Camera, ASCA!” We had Texas school counselors presenting on SEL and RAMP. ASCA recognized Texas’s own Cristina Nunez, a top 5 finalist for the national 2017-2018 School Counselor of the Year. And Byron Nelson High School in Trophy Club, Texas, became the 10th Texas school counseling program to receive the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. We proudly shared our LSSSCA successes: LSSSCA has just under 2,000 members, a top-notch Lone Star Award that aligns with ASCA and RAMP, and a third annual conference approaching soon in November. Texas was in the spotlight!

Superintendent Cesar Morales, of the 2017 Education Week Leaders to Learn From, shared with ASCA attendees how vital school counselors are. He explained that counselors never “freeze” in trauma and adverse situations, but instead become empowered to make a difference. Akil Ross, 2018 National Principal of the Year, spoke about how the school counselor is the “heartbeat of the school.” Mandy Manning, 2018 National Teacher of the Year, discussed how school counselors are part of a much-needed team on each campus. Kirsten Perry, our national 2018 School Counselor of the Year, reminded us that everything we do has a ripple effect. These four individuals get it – after all, they are the best in their fields for 2017-2018.

My question for you is: How do we make sure every superintendent, principal and teacher understands the role of a school counselor and our vital importance? How do we assure that, when asked, every superintendent, principal and teacher can say, “My school counselor is the heartbeat of the school. They never freeze in adverse situations and they have a ripple effect on everything they do. Our team doesn’t exist without them”? We can do this by advocating for our programs every day in everything we do. Meet with your principal at the beginning of the year and share your vision and your goals for the year. Get into the classroom and teach those much-needed skills to students. Develop small groups based on school data. And most important, share your results with everyone – including your principal, teachers, superintendent, school board, the cashier at the local convenience store and more. What difference did you make for students?

In his keynote speech at ASCA, Kareem Abdul Jabbar reminded us, “Life is short but wide.” I plan to make my life intentional this year and assure that every word I speak and action I take has a positive ripple effect on my community. Will you join me? Lights, Camera, LSSSCAction! Have a great 2018-2019 school year.

Tammi Mackeben is president of the Lone Star State School Counselor Association and director of School Counseling in Socorro ISD, El Paso, Texas.