School Counselor Blog

Heading to Austin, TX for the 2022 American School Counselor Association Conference?  Below Andrea Burston and I share tips to help you make the most of your ASCA Conference experience! ✨  PLAN AHEAD ✨ Do some research ahead of your arrival so that you are prepared for your trip.   Check out the following: - Health & safety guidelines - Weather forecast - Hotel location - Conference location  ✨  PACK FOR WORK AND PLAY ✨ When you're packing your bags, think about what you will wear to conference sessions and what you will wear during downtime. If you are attending special events or activities, be sure to pack for them. ✨  CONNECT WITH OTHER SCHOOL COUNSELORS ✨ One of the most amazing aspects of the ASCA Conference is the opportunity to connect with other school counselors! Some ways to connect: - State or local meet-ups - Planned social activities - Social media meet-ups - Between sessions  ✨  MAKE TIME FOR FUN ✨ ASCA Conferences are great for professiona

This Wednesday, April 6th at 3:30 pm EST, Andrea Burston ( @jyjcounselor ) and I are presenting  Get Funding for Your School Counseling Program  as part of the 2022 ASCA Webinar Series. ASCA Members can register for FREE at this link:  bit.ly/getfundingasca . We will share practical tips about how you can get funding for your school counseling program. We will provide examples of how we sought out funding and how we use our school counseling budgets.  We can't wait to connect with you! Join along the conversation on social media using #scgetfunding. Want to learn even more ideas to level up your school counseling program?  Request a workshop for your local or state school counselor association here:  http://bit.ly/drsworkshop Connect with me on  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  YouTube , and  Facebook . 

I love using Canva to make digital images to share with students. Last year I created a digital state testing tip image to share with students and families.  In Pennsylvania our state standardized tests are called the PSSAs and Keystone Exams. I created the image below and sent it to students in an email and shared them on my school Twitter account. My principal also shared the image in his weekly Schoology update. The State Testing Tips Digital Image contains the following tips: Get a good night's sleep Eat a healthy breakfast Come to school on time Know your testing location Bring a book to read Have a positive attitude You can use the state testing tip digital image below as it is by saving it as an image (right click on a PC or control click on a Mac). You can access an  editable version of these state testing tips digital images  by clicking the highlighted text. I made an editable version so you could customize the bottom to add your school district or change the title of you

Mark your calendar! Next Wednesday, April 6th at 3:30 pm EST, Andrea Burston ( @jyjcounselor ) and I are presenting Get Funding for Your School Counseling Program  as part of the 2022 ASCA Webinar Series. ASCA Members can register for FREE at this link:  bit.ly/getfundingasca . We will share practical tips about how you can get funding for your school counseling program. We will provide examples of how we sought out funding and how we use our school counseling budgets.  We can't wait to connect with you! Join along the conversation on social media using #scgetfunding. Want to learn even more ideas to level up your school counseling program?  Request a workshop for your local or state school counselor association here:  http://bit.ly/drsworkshop Connect with me on Twitter , Instagram , YouTube , and Facebook . 

Did you know you can seamlessly create QR Codes using Google Chrome?! It is so easy and literally takes seconds.  In the brief video below, I share how to create a QR Code using Google Chrome. Why Use QR Codes? QR Codes are scannable with a smart device such as a smartphone, iPad, or other tablet. No need to type in a website URL. Easily Share Responses Combine Google Forms with a QR Code and you can easily get responses for your Google Forms. When I have a survey that I want students to take, such as needs assessments or a  Minute Meeting  form, I create a QR Code so I can easily share it with them. Below are some examples of how I share the QR Codes with students.  Documents at Their Fingertips You can convert any URL to a QR Code. If you have a document or other resource you want to share with students, parents, or other stakeholders, you just need the URL. Create a flyer or postcard with the QR code so that stakeholders can access it.   How will you use QR Codes? Want to learn even

I can't wait for it to finally feel like Spring in Pittsburgh, PA! If you are looking to add some spring vibes and mindfulness activities your school counseling office, check out the post below. Make Time for Mindfulness Bulletin Board I created this interactive spring mindfulness bulletin board for my school counseling office last year. I randomly got the idea to make pinwheels. It gives some major spring vibes. I linked all the QR codes to mindfulness activities or information. Get everything you need to create this " Make Time for Mindfulness " bulletin board by clicking on the image below. Mindfulness To-Go Kits I made these " Mindfulness To-Go Kits " when we were hybrid last year. I wanted to provide a way for students who were fully remote to access some of the activities I was sharing with students. I still keep these kits on hand to give to students.  Get everything you need to create " Mindfulness To-Go Kits " by clicking on the image below.