The Lowdown on the Vermont School Counselor Association
By VTSCA Board | August 2019
Recently, it has come to the attention of the Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA) board that many school counselors across Vermont either have never heard of VTSCA or do not understand what VTSCA does and how it is run. We are hoping we can help to answer some of these questions here.
What is the Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA)?
The Vermont School Counselor Association is a chartered state division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
What does VTSCA do?
VTSCA expands the image and influence of school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change. VTSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community and the world.
What we as school counselors believe in and practice...
Being a member of VTSCA offers Vermont school counselors the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other school counselors in the state. VTSCA offers and shares out information about professional development opportunities for school counselors across the state and region. VTSCA membership also supports the work of the VTSCA board, who advocate on behalf of all school counselors in Vermont.
Who is on the VTSCA board?
The VTSCA board is completely led by volunteers who dedicate their time to move the mission of VTSCA forward. Our current board leadership includes:
President: Tara Cariano, school counselor at Harwood Union High School
Past President and Professional Development & Conference Chair: Cairsten Keese, school counselor at U-32 High School
Secretary: Julie Cleary, school counselor at Mary Hogan Elementary School
Treasurer: Kara Pawlusiak, school counselor at Colchester Middle School
Bylaws & Ethics Chair: Roger Forando, retired school counselor
Communications & Public Relations Chair: Suzanne Francke, school counselor at Union Elementary School
Public Policy, Advocacy & Legislation Chair: Lauren Conti, school counselor at Stowe Middle School
The VTSCA Board also includes the following liaisons:
All VTSCA board meetings are open to the public for all to attend. If you are interested in joining the VTSCA board or want to learn more, please contact Tara Cariano at vtsca.president@gmail.com. We are currently looking to fill the Membership Chair position, but we have many other opportunities for interested folks to be part of the board. There truly is something for everyone and the time commitment is minimal.
When and where does the VTSCA board meet?
The VTSCA board meets from 4:30-7:30pm four times a year. The dates for the 2019-2020 school year are:
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, November 21
Friday–Saturday, January 17–18 (9:00-4:00pm, Winter Retreat)
Thursday, March 26
The locations are yet to be determined for this school year, so please contact Tara Cariano at vtsca.president@gmail.com if you are interested in attending and/or would like to join virtually.
How can I become a member?
If you are interested in becoming a member of VTSCA, you can sign up on the VTSCA website. You can also reach out directly to the VTSCA board regarding membership at vtsca.membership@gmail.com.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the board.
Last but not least, please save the date to join us for our annual conference at Killington Resort on Monday, November 4. We hope to see you there!
What is the Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA)?
The Vermont School Counselor Association is a chartered state division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
What does VTSCA do?
VTSCA expands the image and influence of school counselors through advocacy, leadership, collaboration and systemic change. VTSCA empowers professional school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages, and resources to promote student success in the school, the home, the community and the world.
What we as school counselors believe in and practice...
- School counselors deliver comprehensive school counseling programs that are essential for all students, K–12, in schools throughout Vermont.
- School counselors are essential in promoting the academic, career and social/emotional learning and development of all students in Vermont.
- Collaboration, advocacy and professional development help school counselors to best serve their profession and school communities.
- School counselors advocate for every student and promote equity for all through the use of the ASCA National Model and the Comprehensive Vermont Model.
Being a member of VTSCA offers Vermont school counselors the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other school counselors in the state. VTSCA offers and shares out information about professional development opportunities for school counselors across the state and region. VTSCA membership also supports the work of the VTSCA board, who advocate on behalf of all school counselors in Vermont.
Who is on the VTSCA board?
The VTSCA board is completely led by volunteers who dedicate their time to move the mission of VTSCA forward. Our current board leadership includes:
President: Tara Cariano, school counselor at Harwood Union High School
Past President and Professional Development & Conference Chair: Cairsten Keese, school counselor at U-32 High School
Secretary: Julie Cleary, school counselor at Mary Hogan Elementary School
Treasurer: Kara Pawlusiak, school counselor at Colchester Middle School
Bylaws & Ethics Chair: Roger Forando, retired school counselor
Communications & Public Relations Chair: Suzanne Francke, school counselor at Union Elementary School
Public Policy, Advocacy & Legislation Chair: Lauren Conti, school counselor at Stowe Middle School
The VTSCA Board also includes the following liaisons:
- VSAC: Liam Danahar
- Vermont School Crisis Planning Team: Barbara Bloom
- NEACAC (New England Association for College Admission Counseling): Phyllis Currao, School Counselor at Proctor High School
All VTSCA board meetings are open to the public for all to attend. If you are interested in joining the VTSCA board or want to learn more, please contact Tara Cariano at vtsca.president@gmail.com. We are currently looking to fill the Membership Chair position, but we have many other opportunities for interested folks to be part of the board. There truly is something for everyone and the time commitment is minimal.
When and where does the VTSCA board meet?
The VTSCA board meets from 4:30-7:30pm four times a year. The dates for the 2019-2020 school year are:
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, November 21
Friday–Saturday, January 17–18 (9:00-4:00pm, Winter Retreat)
Thursday, March 26
The locations are yet to be determined for this school year, so please contact Tara Cariano at vtsca.president@gmail.com if you are interested in attending and/or would like to join virtually.
How can I become a member?
If you are interested in becoming a member of VTSCA, you can sign up on the VTSCA website. You can also reach out directly to the VTSCA board regarding membership at vtsca.membership@gmail.com.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the board.
Last but not least, please save the date to join us for our annual conference at Killington Resort on Monday, November 4. We hope to see you there!