From the Chair: Pivot, Reimagine, Cultivate

The start of a new year often brings a sense of renewed energy and a chance for reflection. It is an excellent time to revisit our goals and aspirations for the remainder of the academic year. As a school counselor, your expertise in fostering emotional well-being and academic success contributes significantly to the overall development of your students.

Pivot, reimagine, cultivate – three words that denote action, creativity and development; three words that are the theme for CASC 2024: “Pivot, Reimagine, Cultivate.” Examples of these three powerful words manifesting into activity in the past, present and future are captured in Dr. Loretta Whitson’s article, “The Future of School Counseling in 2024: A Recap and What Lies Ahead.” Dr. Whitson’s article describes CASC’s past achievements from the 2021–2022 service year, a shifting of paradigm in 2023 and priorities for the future ahead in this new year of 2024.

In reflecting on CASC successes in 2023, the 23rd annual conference, “Taking Charge of Change,” comes to mind – however, you are what made that conference the success that it was! It is your participation, your support, your involvement that fuels our ongoing commitment as an organization to continuously develop the very best in promoting excellence in the profession of school counseling. Moreover, if you were unable to attend the 2023 fall conference, we highly encourage you to register for and attend CASC's Northern California Conference: “School Counselor Renaissance: The Time is Now!” in Monterey on February 8–9, 2024. View more information and register.

The power of collaboration also made possible the development of the highly anticipated 2023 edition of “The California Standards for the School Counseling Profession.” The standards represent a significant advancement in the field of school counseling and set a new benchmark for excellence in student services. Access your digital copy now; hard copies will be available for purchase soon.

Another celebrated success in 2023 was the CASC Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racism Committee launching their new Social Justice, Equity, and Anti-Racist Toolkit for School Counselors.” This toolkit is a resource bank for school counselors to contribute and use lessons to support social justice, equity and antiracism at their school site. Access the toolkit, lessons and how-to guide.

As our Purpose Statement emphasizes, CASC empowers school counselors “with the knowledge, skills, linkages and resources to promote equity and access to a high-quality education for the overall success of every student in California schools.” In this year of 2024, CASC will continue to be actively by your side, supporting your unwavering commitment to the well-being of your students and the success of your school community. See you in February!

Contact Andres Castro, Ed.D., CASC Board chair, at andres.castro@schoolcounselor-ca.org.