Counselor's Notebook, February 2015

MASCA

MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL COUNSELORS ASSOCIATION

VOL. 51, NO. 6

Expanding a Student’s Personal Vision

By TINA KARIDOYANES MASCA President

I

t’s February. The cold has finally settled in, and it’s time to celebrate our profession during National School Counseling Week.

As I pondered ways to celebrate school counselors, I thought about how much our work contributes to the fiber of our communities. Service is an important principal upon which our country was founded, and finding ways to inspire students to service across the lifespan is one way that school counselors help students become lifelong learners. Many schools have community service components through clubs, graduation requirements, and their mission statements.

A good friend of mine who is a middle school counselor incorporates community service through the guidance curriculum and school activities. Students participate in different drives, they volunteer at Christmas in the City, and they write letters to members of the armed services, to name a few. These activities are intertwined with the guidance curriculum, so that students not only practice community service but also gain a better understanding of the importance of the service to society.

With the increased focus on college and career readiness and the academic component, civic responsibility and community engagement can become lost.

Wouldn’t it be great if, as we work with students, we also educate them about careers in service. Whether it is as an educator or member of a non-profit organization, the Peace Corps, or similar organization, we can help our students become active citizens of the world.

We can also teach them the importance of volunteering time in their adult life. I know I would not be a school counselor today if I hadn’t decided to engage in Junior Achievement when I worked in multinational banking. Volunteering or engaging in a service-oriented career can be so fulfilling and life-enriching that I believe it is important at the earliest stages of life to engage in giving of ourselves to others.

As you promote the role of school counselors during National School Counseling Week, please take time to engage students in the conversation about service and how it relates to their personal vision across their lifespan. ■

FEBRUARY 2015

Sharing Your Time and Talents

By RUTH CARRIGAN MASCA President-Elect

A

s you read this edition of the Counselor’s Notebook, we will be smack in the middle of a cold winter. If your position is anything like mine, that means gearing up for some tedious responsibilities like course selection, the master schedule, MCAS, and AP exams. Lots of planning, lots of details for important programs, but not always a lot of time for direct service or for professional development. Although it is easy to let administrative tasks take over your work life, I hope you will take a minute to consider ways that you can grow professionally even while meeting the demands of your busy job.

1. Get involved in MASCA. If you are reading this article, you are more than likely already a member of our state counseling organization. If not, please join! Why not share your time and make (continued on page 2)

SAVE the DATES! Preconference Professional Development Workshop April 6, 2014 • 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

MASCA Annual Spring Conference April 7, 2015 Go to www.masca.org for details.

National School Counseling Week February 2-6, 2015 Celebrate school counselors in their work to help students achieve success and plan a career.

2

CARRIGAN (continued from page 1) the commitment to get involved in a state level leadership position? Volunteering your time with MASCA helps connect you to the state and national school counseling agenda.

This issue of the Notebook includes a notice of leadership positions that are available. Please take time to consider if one of these positions might be a good match for your interests and talents, and feel free to speak to any MASCA leader if you have questions.

2. Get involved in your local affiliate. Although I love being part of MASCA, I really value my long-term association with the South Shore Guidance Association. Like most of the affiliates, SSGA meets on a monthly basis in the late afternoon.

If you are looking for a way to get involved, joining your local affiliate is a great way to network with and get support from other school counselors. In addition, many of the affiliates provide free professional development opportunities to its members.

In November, Western Mass Counselors Association provided a free, fullday College and Career Readiness to ensure that school counselors had the tools to make all K-12 students Career and College Ready. SSGA is planning an afternoon College and Career Readiness professional development workshop for its members in February, with the goal of a comprehensive full-day session in the fall. Many affiliates are offering great programming for their members. To contact your local school counseling group, check out the Affiliate section of the MASCA website.

3. Get out of the office if you can.

During this busy season, try to get out of the office for a professional development opportunity of your choice. Although it can be hard to get out of the office and it always seems as if there is too much work and too little time, a great professional development offering can be a benefit to your students and can make you a better counselor. You might want to check out the many PD offerings at the MASCA Annual Conference on April 7 in Boxborough.

If you are a high school counselor, I hope you take advantage of college tour opportunities. College advising becomes much more effective and relevant if you’ve had a chance to visit college campuses and network with college admissions personnel.

Whatever your particular interest may be, try to make time to get out of the office to expand your professional knowledge.

Sharing your time, sharing your talents, and growing professionally will make you a better counselor in 2015. As always, thank you for the important work you do and the difference you make in the lives of students every day. ■ COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

Calling All Future MASCA Leaders

By THERESA COOGAN, Ph.D. MASCA Past President

2014 – 2015 OFFICERS PRESIDENT TINA KARIDOYANES Mansfield High School 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA 02048 E-mail: president@masca.org PAST PRESIDENT THERESA A. COOGAN, Ph.D. Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA 02325 Tel. 508-531-2640 E-mail: theresa.coogan@bridgew.edu PRESIDENT-ELECT RUTH CARRIGAN Whitman-Hanson Regional High School 600 Franklin Street, Whitman, MA 02382 Tel. 781-618-7434 • Fax 781-618-7098 E-mail: Ruth.Carrigan@whrsd.org VICE PRESIDENT ELEMENTARY VERONICA KNIGHT Lowell Elementary School 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Tel. 617-926-2666 E-mail: veronica.knight@watertown.k12.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT MIDDLE / JUNIOR HIGH KATHLEEN SCOTT E-mail: scottk@amesburyma.gov VICE PRESIDENT SECONDARY JOHN S. STEERE Wellesley High School 50 Rice Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 Tel. 781-446-6290 x4653 • Fax 781-446-6308 E-mail: john_steere@wellesley.k12.ma.us VICE PRESIDENT ADMINISTRATORS TBA

C

alling all MASCA members who wish to become more actively involved with the leadership team starting next year. The call for nominations is now open for select positions on the MASCA leadership team. To access the online form to see which positions are available, please go to http://goo.gl/ forms/M6RSYdnhfp. Self-nominations are welcomed.

For each nominee, the online registration form found at the site and ten signatures of support from current MASCA members are required. Both pieces must be received in order for a nomination to be considered complete.

Details are included on the online form.

The election and voting will take place at MASCA’s Annual Spring Conference in April. Only MASCA members are eligible to vote. For those who are not able

to attend the conference, we will be using an online voting system so you will still be able to take part in the election.

Please refer to the MASCA website for electronic copies of the Policies & Procedures Manual, which contains information and descriptions about the positions of the MASCA leadership team as well as the organization’s bylaws. The manual can be found by clicking About, then Policy. Both resources provide additional information about the roles.

Thank you for your consideration to get involved and help the organization continue its good work as we move forward. This is an opportunity for anyone who is a MASCA member to consider.

On behalf of the current leadership team, we encourage you to consider getting involved; it is a very rewarding experience! ■

VICE PRESIDENT POSTSECONDARY JOHN MARCUS Dean College 99 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Tel. 508-541-1509 • Fax 508-541-8726 E-mail: jmarcus@dean.edu VICE PRESIDENT COUNSELOR EDUCATORS MEGAN KRELL, Ph.D.; AMY L. COOK, Ph.D. E-mail: vpcounselored@masca.org VICE PRESIDENT RETIREES JOSEPH D. FITZGERALD, Ed.D. 5 Progress Street, Weymouth, MA 02188 Tel. 781-264-3426 E-mail: jdfitz1831@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DONNA M. BROWN Adjunct Professor, UMass Boston P.O. Box 366, 779 Center Street Bryantville, MA 02327 Tel. 781-293-2835 E-mail: executivedirector@masca.org TREASURER ASHLEY CARON 25 Belmont Ave., Stoughton, MA 02072 Tel. 508-212-0676 E-mail: ashcicero@hotmail.com SECRETARY KATIE KOZAK E-mail: secretary@masca.org MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR DONNA BROWN E-mail: membership@masca.org WEBMASTER / TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR ROSS WOLFSON E-mail: webmaster@masca.org; info@masca.org COORDINATOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HELEN O’DONNELL, Ed.D. E-mail: pdchair@masca.org COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK EDITOR SALLY ANN CONNOLLY 19 Bayberry Road, Danvers, MA 01923 Tel. 978-774-8158 • Fax 978-750-8154 E-mail: sallyconnolly@att.net

FEBRUARY 2015

3

MASCA AWARDS Nomination Information

T

he MASCA Awards and Publicity Committee encourages you to nominate a deserving colleague for a prestigious MASCA Award. Please read the award category descriptions carefully.

For each award nomination submitted, the nominator will provide their contact information and contact information about their nominee, identify the specific award of interest, and provide a letter of support as to why they are recommending that candidate for the award category selected. This letter should be no more than one page (standard letter).

The awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony held at the Annual Spring Conference.

The nomination form is available from January 31 – March 1 on the “Events” page of the MASCA website. You do not need to be a MASCA member to access the nomination form. The deadline for submission is March 1. No nominations will be accepted after this date. The Awards Committee will review nominations and contact both the nominator and the nominee.

This year, the Awards Ceremony will take place as a part of the President’s Reception to be held at the Holiday Inn, Boxborough (location of the conference), between 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6. Refreshments will be provided. No additional registration fee beyond the conference registration is required to attend the ceremony. Please visit www.masca.org for conference information and registration. Winners need not be present; they will be acknowledged during the ceremony using key phrases from the nomination letters. Winners will also be featured in the June 2014 Counselor’s Notebook.

MASCA AWARD CATEGORIES MASCA Counselor of the Year A current MASCA member and licensed counselor serving during the current school year as a school counselor in either an elementary, secondary, or postsecondary school. This counselor will have made outstanding contributions to his/

her school. The recipient will have excellent rapport with pupils, parents, and school personnel and be a highly respected counselor of students.

MASCA Administrator of the Year An administrator who has made an outstanding and significant contribution to the guidance and school counseling movement, developed and/or implemented an innovative program, or initiated improvements of school counseling services.

MASCA Leadership Award A current MASCA member and licensed school counselor serving during the current school year in an elementary, secondary, or postsecondary school or in a local or regional school system, who demonstrates strong, positive leadership skills in the counseling profession at the local, state, or national level.

MASCA Torch Award Rising Star An individual who has entered the school counseling profession within the last five years and is a model for new counselors, demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, outstanding contributions to the school community and/ or profession, and excellent rapport with students, parents, and school personnel.

MASCA Torch Award Retiring Counselor A counselor who is retiring in the current year or has retired within the last five years. This counselor has served as a model for new counselors, demonstrated the highest standards of professional competence and excellent rapport with students, parents, and school personnel, and made outstanding contributions to the school community and/or profession.

The George Thompson Memorial Scholarship Award This is a $1,000 scholarship award named in honor of George Thompson, a longtime friend and contributor to MASCA. The award winner is a school counseling graduate student who demonstrates exceptional promise for leadership and contribution to our profession. Nominations from counselor educators and internship supervisors are encouraged. ■

4

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

The Art of Silence in the Counseling Relationship

By JENNIFER JAMESON M.Ed. Student in School Counseling, Bridgewater State University

T

he use of silence is a powerful counseling microskill that, if used intentionally, can have a significant impact on the counseling session. Silence is a core skill in the helping process and aids in the development of the counseling relationship. (Ivey, Ivey, & Zalaquett, 2009) When silence is authentic and meaningful in a counseling session, it can provide a moment of clarity for both the student and the counselor. It gives an opportunity to sit quietly, collect thoughts, and evaluate the situation. It also enhances the student’s ability to self-reflect. Often, having a moment or two of silence can be more helpful than tackling the issue right away.

During my graduate training, I have been afforded several opportunities to become aware of this skill and to practice using it effectively. Both my coursework and practicum experiences have given me a deeper understanding and greater appreciation of the value of silence.

and feelings. Being effective does not mean you will have all of the answers. It is about being present and in the moment.

Whether the situation is academic, social/emotional, or career focused, coun-

seling is a collaborative effort that must be shared and recognized by both members of the relationship. At times, silence is the best way to accomplish this. ■

Join your colleagues for professional development and networking.

For details, go to MASCA’s website, www.masca.org.

Silence, a core skill in counseling, aids in the development of a successful counseling relationship.

When I was first learning, I thought: “I’m not sure how I can use this skill effectively. Aren’t we supposed to be talking with the students during the sessions?” I was overwhelmed with the thought of how, when, and where I would use silence as a school counselor. I had to take a step back and evaluate what it means to be effective.

Recently, I worked with a student who had a high level of anxiety. All of the student’s nonverbal cues led me towards a decision to sit quietly. Nothing could be said in the first few minutes that would have provided any type of therapeutic benefit. I acknowledged his presence and handed him a stress ball. Watching his body language as we sat there quietly, I could tell what he needed was a space to think and collect himself. I was intentional and authentic with the use of silence; and I knew, in that moment, it was the best decision I could have made for him.

Being effective as a school counselor, I have learned, means meeting students where they are and providing a safe environment for them to express their thoughts FEBRUARY 2015

5

RESEARCH NOTES Musical training can improve language and reading WASHINGTON, August 8, 2014 — Learning to play a musical instrument or to sing can help disadvantaged children strengthen their reading and language skills, according to research presented at the American Psychological Association’s 122nd Annual Convention.

The findings, which involved hundreds of kids participating in musical training programs in Chicago and Los Angeles public schools, highlight the role learning music can have on the brains of youth in impoverished areas, according to presenter Nina Kraus, PhD, a neurobiologist at Northwestern University.

“Research has shown that there are differences in the brains of children raised in impoverished environments that affect their ability to learn,” said Kraus. “While more affluent students do better in school than children from lower income backgrounds, we are finding that musical training can alter the nervous system to create a better learner and help offset this academic gap.”

— http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/ 2014/08/musical-training.aspx.

Creative movement carries benefits In 2007, Hillary Rodham Clinton said: “Today in the United States, businesses are continually asking for more creative thinkers for our 21st century economy.

By creative thinkers, I mean workers who have an ability to speak clearly, listen closely, workers who engage in the learning process, who solve problems, as well as those who value individual responsibility and integrity. More often than not, these types of workers were exposed to the arts when they were students.

Take a look at a recent study which found that students who study the arts are more likely to outperform their peer academically. For example, in a recent study on SAT scores, students who studied dance scored an average 36 points higher on the verbal and 16 points higher on math.” ■

6

COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK

Professional Development News

By HELEN C. O’DONNELL MASCA Professional Development Coordinator 2015 MA Model Institutes • MA Model Institute For Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (Introductory Institute) • MA Model Institute 2.0: Next Steps MA Model Institute Workshop (Introductory) The MA Model Institute Workshop will be held on Monday, April 6, from 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Boxboro.

To wrap up the 2014 Institutes and kick off the 2015 training, the agenda includes awareness of ASCA’s new Mindsets and Beliefs, presentation of standardsbased CCR curriculum, using iPads in the classroom (hands-on training), program accountability and assessment strategies, and guided instruction in developing your MARC or MARC Jr. Past Institute graduates are invited to share their continued implementation work and join in continued professional development related to the strengthening

FEBRUARY 2015

of comprehensive, developmental school counseling programs.

The 2014 MA Model Institute cohorts will present their MARC and MARC Jr. poster sessions to showcase their classroom lessons, implementation initiatives, methods of evidence collection, and summary documentation of how students are more CCR ready as a result of their school counseling program.

All past MA Model participants, registrants of the 2015 MA Model Institutes, colleagues and graduate students interested in implementing comprehensive school counseling programs are welcome. Registration details are posted on MASCA’s website.

Professional Development Courses The PD Committee has identified graduate courses that will enhance the school counselor’s role with Michelle Obama’s national Reach Higher Initiative and pro-

motion of College and Career Readiness for all students. Pending new courses offered as part of the MASCA/Fitchburg State University professional development partnership include: • Fundamentals of College Financing • College Advising • School Counseling Curriculum: Development, Implementation, Assessment Course plans include hybrid formats with both face-to-face and online coursework. Registration options: 45 MASCA PDPs or three graduate credits (for an additional fee). Watch for updates. Send your inquiries to me at helenod@att.net or pdchair@masca.org.

Help wanted Technology assistance is needed to manage the SMART goals and DDM Libraries at www.masca.org. Support will be provided. Volunteers are invited to contact me at helenod@att.net or pdchair@ masca.org. ■

7

Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc. COUNSELOR’S NOTEBOOK Sally Ann Connolly, Editor

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEWBURYPORT, MA PERMIT NO. 96

IN CASE OF NON-DELIVERY, RETURN TO: Donna M. Brown P.O. Box 366 Bryantville, MA 02327

Your membership renewal date is indicated by year and month on your address label above.

To renew your membership, go to MASCA’s website, www.masca.org.

DESE Monthly Webinars Content-based and thematic webinars will be offered from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. on the following dates.

The webinars are open to all interested parties (schools/districts, community organizations, higher education institutions, workforce development organizations).

3/10/15 Career Development Education: Career Awareness, Exploration and Immersion 4/14/15 Summer Transition Programs 5/12/15 Individual Learning Plans 6/09/15 MA Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs