15 minute read
By Thom Hughart
THOM HUGHART MASCAVP Administrators
Here it is the last day and last hour before this article is due.I procrastinated for a very good reason:I was waiting for inspiration.It didn’t happen, or if it did I missed it.So, I have decided to rerun an article that I wrote two years ago and add a few thoughts to it. The topic is leadership and where it comes from.
I want to put a plug in for interns and the value of having them workin our de partments.I am still puzzled by guidance directors who do not have at least one intern in their department.If space is the issue, there are ways to overcome the prob lem.I have found them.
I cannot imagine providing all the services we provide at my school without the help of our two interns. What they do for our department is so important. But equally important is what they can do for our counselors. They can teach us, keep us up to date on what’s new in the field, and contribute to our own professional development.
Interns have to do action research or some type of research project.Turn them loose on your school. What have you want ed to study, explore, or better un derstand?Of course,someone has to provide supervision and fill out some forms for their school, but nothing is really free. The payoff, I believe, totally outweighs the cost.
Finding our future leaders
Here is the piece about future leaders. If we truly feel a commitment to our profession,then I believe we have a commitment to do our part in cultivating our aspiring leaders.This was my major concern for our profession, which I discussed last year in the November issue of CN.
Where are the leaders for tomorrow? They are sitting in our Counselor Education Programs, they are interning in our schools and we are supervising them, they are working in our departments as new counselors.
We can spot them;take a look around. They are the ones who have the energy and enthusiasm to jump right in and get the job done.They ask the probing questions and struggle to understand every last drop of meaning in our responses. They think and act with the perfect balance of independence and interdependence.They are not afraid of words like “accountability, data driven or standards based.”They are comfortable with change and do not see it as a threat. They have successful ways of controlling stress in their lives and still love their jobs. They are neither naive nor cynical. And they firmly grasp the reality of our profession and want to improve it.
In other words, we know our future leaders. We work with them. We don’t have to hunt for them;we only have to open our eyes and see them.
But that’s not enough. We must nurture them, care for them, support them, and mentor them. We have to tell them that we see these leadership qualities in them, and we should help direct them to forums where they can be leaders, first in their own schools, then in the larger arenas.
We can encourage them to lead a committee or co-lead one, or we could recommend that they represent the department on a board or committee.Find opportunities for them to become involved in district, state, or national organizations and activities.If possible, allow them released time to pursue these leadership opportunities. They need our assistance and direction to move from potential leadership to actual leadership.And we need these new leaders now.
As professional school counselors we are called upon to define ourselves, re write our job descriptions, compose mission statements, and take back control of who we are and what we do. We need the freshness of perception and the dy namism of our newer colleagues. Help identify our emerging leaders and en cour age them to step up. ■
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Massachusetts School Counselors Association Order Form 2008 DIRECTORY OFMASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS
The Directory lists school counselors in K-12 public, private, parochial, re gional and technical high schools.Phone, fax, and e-mail information is in cluded.Each MASCA member will receive one (1) complimentary copy ofthe Directory. Any additional questions may be sent to Janice M. Tkaczyk at jantkaczyk@ comcast.net. PLEASE USE THE ORDER FORM BELOW TO ORDER YOUR COPIES,order online and use your credit card, or download the form at www.masca.org.
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS
1-5 copies @ $30.00 each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . # ______ $_________ Additional Copies 6 or more @ $25.00 each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . # ______ $_________
P.O. Processing Fee (per order) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . $_________ 5.00
Checks payable to:MASCA TOTALENCLOSED: . $_________
If paying by credit card, please check this box ■ and forward to Jan Tkaczyk. If mailing the form, please send to:
Janice M. Tkaczyk
P.O. Box 318
East Dennis, MA 02641
Your name and contact information:
ROBERT BARDWELL MASCAPast President
If you have been reading my column over the past two years, you know that I am concerned aboutschool counselors advocating for themselves, leadership in the school counseling profession in Massachusetts,and moving MASCA forward.
Just last month I wrote about eliminating the school guidance counselor and school adjustment counselor certifications in favor of one certification for all student support personnel. And I discussed how this would improve student services in all schools.
Now is time for me to talk about havingmore school counselors become members of MASCA and about having more membersvolunteer to participate in our leadership and professional development programs.
Of the estimated 2100 school counselors in Massachusetts, only about half belong to MASCA.I realize that I am preaching to the choir because only members will read this article.But what have you, as a member, done to promote membership among your peers?Have you suggested that they join?Have you shared with them the resources that you get or materials you receive after attending a conference or workshop?Have you discussed with them the MA Model and its recently-released Implementation Guide? If you have an intern, have you encouraged that graduate student to join?These are all simple things that you can do to help ensure the continued growth of our membership.
MASCA provides high quality programs, enriching benefits,and leadership for promoting the role of the school counselor and the impact we have on student achievement.Although it is the responsibility of the Governing Board to provide these things, I believe all members
have a duty to promote the organization and its benefits.What better way to get others interested in MASCA than by having current members share their positive experiences.
Finding MASCA’s leaders
It is also time for us to begin the nomination process for new officers.In addition to a president-elect, we will also be looking for vice-presidents for guidance administrators, middle/junior high school, counselor educators, and and retirees. The time commitment required depends upon the office.The president-elect is a three-year commitment, serving as president the second year and past president the year after that.This position obviously requires a significant amount of time and travel. Vice presidents serve a two-year term, and they are expected to
represent their constituencies on the Executive Council and Governing Boards as well as assist with professional development and other programs.
I know how hard it is to find time.I have a family, including two children (ages nine and seven), who participate in activities outside of school.I have a full-time job that requires time commitments outside of the workday and I teach two adjunct courses and volunteer for other professional organizations.In order to attend the October Governing Board meeting, I missed two soccer games and one hockey game.Although I felt some guilt, I also knew that there would be more games and only limited time on the Governing Board.
I realize that MASCA is a volunteer organization and that there has to be a balance of professional and personal de mands.But we can all find excuses why we don’t have the time.MASCA will be sustained only if we have members willing to make the sacrifice.
This is an exciting time in our profession. MASCA has accomplished many things recently:an exciting Model to help provide a framework for what school counselors do, high quality and rewarding professional development programs, astrategic plan and accompanying work plan, a policy and procedure manual, and an efficient and energetic Governing Board, just to name a few. This is a perfect time to get involved and continue the momentum.Much of the groundwork has already been completed.
The nomination form for officers is in cluded in this issue of the CN. It must be returned to me with a picture no later than February 1, 2008.Candidate biographies and the ballot will appear in the March and April editions ofthe Notebook.You will be able to vote at the spring conference in Hyannis or by mailing the ballot directly.Please contact me for more information or if you would like a copy of the job description for an office: bardwellr@monsonschools.com.
I challenge you to get involved.We have so many talented members,but we always seem to have trouble finding members to come forward voluntarily.This is not unique to MASCA.But if you don’t step up to the plate and give back to the profession, who will be there to ensure that MASCA survives into the next generation? ■
Nominations may be submitted by either of the following: 1) an affiliate association with authorized signature, or 2) the signatures often MASCA members.
Please note: • Nominees must be paid-up members of MASCA and have indicated a willingness to serve. • The President-elect automatically becomes President. • The slate will consist of President-elect, VP Counselor Educators, VP Guidance Administrators,
VP Middle/Jr. High, and VP Retirees.
Mail by February 1 to: Bob Bardwell Monson High School 55 Margaret Street Monson, MA 01057
Deadline for receipt of nominations is February 1, 2008.
This nomination submitted by:_______________________________________________________________ Affiliate association:________________________________________________________________________ Authorized signature:_______________________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone number:_________________________________________________________________________
MASCA Members: School Address:
Nominee Information Sheet 2008-2009
Educational background:____________________________________________________________________
ROBERT QUIST MASCAExecutive Director
As fall ends and a typical New England winter is almost upon us, you can almost hear the sounds of the season. For secondary school counselors, nothing says “holiday” better than: “Can Ichoose which recommendations to send out to X and Y colleges?” Or how about the classic; “I know it is the last day before the December break. Is it okay if I bring you ten applications? They are not due until January1.”
For all of us at MASCA this has been a very busy season.The fall conference held at the Boxborough Holiday Inn was an outstanding collection of workshops and networking. Our keynoter, Eric Sparks,president of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), provided inspirational and tangible ideas on how to use data to answer the question, “How are students different as a result of what school counselors do?”In addition,in his breakout session he provided a workable plan on how to move forward in the collection of data and not become data experts in the process.
Sally Masters, counselor at Hampshire Regional High School, received the MASCA Human Rights Award in recognition of her service to GLBT and her school’s GSA. She has led the charge in getting her school to recognize and be sensitive to the issues surrounding our economically disadvantaged students.
Thanks to the work of Helen O’Donnell and her team of volunteers, the conference had fourteen different breakout sessions and attracted more than 250 school counselors. Great job, Helen!
The Graduation Rate Task Force set up by the Board of Education (BOE) has met twice since the fall,and it will be putting the final touches on its recommendation to the BOE for their January meeting. Concerns are still being raised about the impact the current formula of a strict four-year,start to finish timeline will have on AYP and what that means, especially for urban schools, those with big ELL programs, and schools with programs that, by their very nature, are longer than four years. School counselors have been concerned about these issues,and they will continue to make their voices heard. The BOE is contemplating changes in the recommended requirements for ad mis sion to the four-year state colleges and universities. The main change centers around increasing the math requirement from three to four years.Other changes may be voted on as well.
Secondary school counselors should check out www.MEFA.org.Click on Gui dance Counselors and view the upcoming Guidance Counselor Statewide Financial Aid Training. This year’s sessions focus on excessive student borrowing, fi nancial aid scams, Internet fees, and new re sour ces for school counselors. Trainings run from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Until next time—best wishes and happy holidays. ■
Graduate Students contribute to MASCA Fall Conference
ByERIN McCRAVE MASCA Graduate Student Liaison
The 2007 MASCA Fall Conference held at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough was attended by graduate students from school counseling programs across the state. Even representatives from a few programs outside ofMassachusetts made the trip to Boxborough.
Among the students attending were some from Boston College, Cambridge College, Fitchburg College, Lesley University, Salem State College, Suffolk University, UMass/Amherst, UMass/Boston. Providence College and Saint Joseph College were also represented.
Graduate students were able to enjoy the many breakout sessions, the great ex hibits, and a photo opportunity with ASCA President Eric Sparks. Nine graduate poster sessions were on exhibit through out the conference, and students from UMass/Boston, Boston College, and Saint Joseph College presented at two different poster sessions. The topics were interesting and varied, ranging from vio lence prevention and gang intervention to youth empowerment and service learning.
Graduate students were also able to sit and chat over lunch at one of the three graduate student lunch tables.One lucky graduate student, Mary Lee, won the Graduate Student 50-50 Raffle.
Over all, the conference was a great experience for all involved,and the next generation of school counselors looks to be a strong and dedicated group,who will have a positive impact on school counseling in the future. ■
Graduate Student Professional Development
ByREBECCA A. SCHUMACHER MASCA VP Counselor Educators
The MASCA 2007 Fall Conference, “MA Model Implementation: Charting the Course,” was a grand success, thanks both to the conference and ex hibit chairs, Helen O’Donnell, and Jan Tkaczyk, and members of the conference committee, who did a magnificent job in organizing such a high quality conference.
The Graduate Student Poster Session was one session that I particularly want to highlight. This is the third year that MASCA has designed a session to provide graduate students the opportunity to develop their professional and presentation skills. This just demonstrates the significance MASCA places on contributing to the development of our future school counselors.
At this year’s fall conference, fifteen school counseling graduate students shared their knowledge on a range of topics pertaining to the MA Model do mains.Each poster session was very well attended. Resoundingly positive feedback was heard from both school counselors who viewed the presentations and graduate students who presented.
Graduate students are very ably represented on the MASCA Board, and this leadership was evident in the poster session.A huge round of applause goes to Erin McCrave and Carol Read, the MASCA Graduate Student Liaisons, for their organization and oversight of the Graduate Student Poster Session. Their dedication and work greatly contributed to the success of this year’s event.
Although the 2008 Spring Conference seems a long way off, planning for graduate student sessions are well underway. We will again have Graduate Student Poster Sessions, and the call for the proposals will be e-mailed after the beginning of the year.Counselor educators will be e-mailed the information to pass along
to their respective students, and Carol and Erin will e-mail graduate students.
If you are a school counseling graduate student, we encourage and very much welcome your participation at the spring conference. This is an opportunity to net work with other graduate student and school counselors, have some fun, and attend informative and worthy content sessions.
If you would like to have your Graduate Student Liaisons contact you about the spring conference, please e-mail me and I will forward your address. Feel free to e-mail me at any time about the spring conference. My address is Rebecca. schumacher@umb.edu. ■
Amani Allen
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Samantha Eggleston
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Mike Engel
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Ellen Fanning
Boston College Courtney LaCroix
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Melissa Mann
Saint Joseph College
Myles McPartland
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Niki Motolla
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Lauren Nadeau
Saint Joseph College
Amanda Paskiewicz
Saint Joseph College
Elizabeth Reed
Boston College
Stephanie Rafael
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Nancy Richardson
Saint Joseph College
Errica Saunders
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Meghann Walsh
University of Massachusetts-Boston
MASCA PDP SIGNUP FORM
I want to sign up for MASCA PDPs.
Name:__________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________
E-mail: _________________________________________________________
Enclose your MASCA Conferences Certificates of Attendance and completed Evidence of Learning Forms documenting at least 10 hours of professional development training.Send along with check for $25.00 made payable to MASCA to:
Helen O’Donnell, Ed.D. MASCA Professional Development Chair 10 Maplewood Terrace Hadley, MA 01035
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