School Counselor Blog

Heading to a professional school conference soon? Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time attendee, having the right items in your conference bag can make or break your experience. From essential gadgets to must-have comfort items, being prepared ensures you can focus on networking, learning, and having a blast without any unnecessary stress. Below I will walk you through everything I packed in my conference bag when attending the ASCA National Conference in Kansas City, MO. My hope is that this post will give you some practical ideas of what to pack so you can be prepared for your next professional conference.  Let's dive in to my conference bag! I linked specific items, when available, in the Travel Section of my Amazon Store . 😋 Snacks - I like to pack a few snacks in my conference bag to keep me from getting hangry! I have some Chomps, Barbells & Fruit Bars from Trader Joe’s. 🛍️ Tote Bag- I love this Compakt fold-up tote bag by Calpak. I pack it with me in cas

I’m still #FiredUp from the ASCA Conference in Kansas City, MO! During the ASCA Conference, I presented two sessions, attended inspiring presentations, and connected with school counselors from across the country. I also made sure to carve out some time for fun! Here are some highlights from my ASCA Conference experience this year.  Presenting at #ASCA24 Market Your School Counseling Program On Day 1 of the ASCA National Conference I presented “Market Your School Counseling Program.” During my presentation I shared ways to market your school counseling program to educational partners. Anytime I present my goal is to share real-life examples and practical resources that you can begin using right away.  I am so glad Angela Avery was able to capture some pictures during my presentation. One of the main points I try to get across during my presentation is that marketing your program is professional advocacy. When school counselors share about their school counseling program, it’s not bragg

Heading to Kansas City, MO for the 2024 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 professional deve