KSCA Events and Awards

Upcoming Events

Kansas Counselors: Let’s Connect on Twitter! Follow @KSCA_Tweets
Melanie Scott, KSCA Technology Chair
Twitter is a great tool to connect to one another and develop a professional learning network (PLN). Mark your calendar! We will host our first KSCA Twitter Chat on Tuesday, December 12 at 8pm. Kansas school counselors, if you have topics you would like to discuss or co-host for future chats, please email scott.melanie@usd443.org
Topic: Educator Self-Care
#KSCACHAT
 
Kansas School Mental Health Awareness Day
On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, the Kansas School Counselor Association will join the Kansas Association of School Psychologists and the Kansas School Social Workers Association to host the second annual School Mental Health Awareness Day at the state capitol. We will provide breakfast for our participants and Kansas legislators, followed by guest speakers and possible breakout sessions prior to convening for a professional growth and networking forum with members of all three organizations. Space will be limited, so please check our website for registration details and sign up early. 

Promoting School Counseling through Awards

Marvalee Collins, KSCA Awards Chair
 
The school counseling role is one of service to students and families. School counselors continually seek to use the services and resources of school counseling programs to promote the academic and social/emotional growth of all students. A critical part of this service includes communicating the difference a school counselor and counseling program make in a school community. When students and families are unaware of the many ways school counselors can serve and provide support, needs may not be identified and addressed. Therefore, an important role of a school counselor is promoting the counseling role and program in order to more effectively serve.
 
Promoting school counseling programs occurs in many ways. Each school counselor’s daily practice is essential in advocating for the importance of the work being accomplished through school counseling programs. Increasing awareness about the services and resources available, publishing data regarding the difference a school counseling program has made, working through school advisory councils and participation in professional organizations are some of the ways to promote school counseling.
 
We have another effective avenue to promote school counseling programs and creating an understanding of the school counseling role: school counseling awards. Awards garner excitement and attention while promoting excellence. The awards programs of districts, professional organizations, and state departments of education establish a standard of excellence and encourage best practice in our service to students and families. Striving for excellence results in the best outcomes for all students and a commitment to positively impacting school communities.
 
In celebrating and appreciating the recognition of individual school counselors and designated school counseling programs, awards have additional benefits. Recipients of awards represent the work of counselors in their state and across the nation. As such, they can speak to the work, its importance, and create a wealth of support from all stakeholders. Speaking to parent groups, civic organizations, legislators, colleagues and boards of education, the recipient of a school counseling award can promote an understanding of the school counseling role, encourage support of school counseling programs and build important partnerships for future work.
 
Awards do matter. The recognition of excellence in our profession shines a spotlight on school counseling, and the implications include the positive impact on our students and their success in school and life. Each of us has the responsibility to work hard, continually grow, effectively serve our students and families and participate in awards programs. Nominating a school counselor, serving on a selection committee, and celebrating with a recipient are all ways each of us can participate. School counseling awards are important, as the true recipients of our commitment to excellence are our students! 

Congratulations to our 2017 KSCA Award Recipients!

“Receiving the Hall of Fame award from KSCA was one of the most humbling and proud moments in my 38 years as an educator. To be recognized for contributing to a profession that I believe in, truly love and have a passion for is the greatest feeling ever. I believe with my whole heart that what school counselors do DOES make a tremendous difference and has a lifelong impact on the students with which they work. Thank you so much, KSCA, for this incredible and meaningful honor.”
KSCA Hall of Fame Honoree Dr. Becky Brannock, professor of Psychology & Counseling, Pittsburg State University



 

KSCA Outstanding School Counselor of the Year:  Teryl Goeckel, School Counselor at Washington County Schools USD #108	KSCA School Counselor of the Year finalist:  Ali Busch, Marysville Junior/Senior High School, USD #364	KSCA School Counselor of the Year finalist:  Melanie Scott, Dodge City High School, USD #443
KSCA Principal Advocates
Art Baker, Clifton-Clyde High School, Clyde, KS	Dr. Sarah Guerrero, Indian Trail Middle School, Olathe, KS	Doug Wilson, Ell-Saline Middle/High School, Brookville, KS

 
More information about KSCA Awards and this year’s recipients can be found in the KSCA press release and on the Awards page of our website.