Contact Information

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS — EVENING

Full-Day Workshops   •   Half-Day Workshops   •   Evening Workshops

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:00–9:30 p.m.
Evening Preconference Workshops

Julie Janus, St. Paul, MN (Teaching Company Supervisor; Actor Educator, CLIMB Theatre Teaching Company)

"CLIMB (Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body) Theatre"

Recent research shows that, by the time they finish school, 90 percent of all students will have been the victim of bullying. In this informative and highly interactive class, students watch an enthralling scene, conduct an experiment, and roleplay the “assertive steps.” Through these activities, students examine the way that body language affects a bully’s choice of victim, and come to understand the relationship between bullies and victims.

Julie Janus is the Producer of Excellence in Teaching (POET) at CLIMB Theatre. This is her fifth season with CLIMB. Prior to moving to Minnesota, Julie graduated magna cum laude from Illinois State University with a degree in theatre education, English, and psychology. She has participated in theatre both as an actor and a stage manager and has taught numerous creative drama classes and camps as well as high school English and theatre classes.

Shawn Becker, West Bend, WI (Founder, EduVenture; School Counselor, West Bend Middle School);

Lana Neuman, Kimberly, WI (School
Counselor, JR Gerritts Middle School)

“Fostering Feelings of Inclusion: An Activity-Based Approach”

One of the biggest challenges that schools face is providing an environment where every child feels like he or she belongs. As school counselors, we often have to meet with students who feel left out and do not have any strong connections to their peers or school. Counselors have a key role in identifying students who are not included. We also must find ways to help all students feel accepted in our buildings. This session will introduce you to a variety of activities that will foster feelings of inclusion in every classroom. The activities will address diversity, tolerance, and acceptance. The benefit of using activities is that they can be a fun, interactive way to introduce and bridge lessons on inclusion.

An activity-based approach can promote feelings of inclusion by breaking through communication barriers, increasing teamwork, and promoting reallife discussions. Students will build relationships with one another by working together. When students work together to solve a common goal, it can reinforce current friendships and develop a new respect for others. The activity format can also help students feel safe and more confident to be themselves and take risks.

Shawn Becker is a professional school counselor at Badger Middle School in West Bend, WI. He is also the founder and facilitator for EduVenture, a hands-on, adventure-based learning and counseling organization for youth and adults. Lana Neuman is a school counselor at JR Gerritts Middle School. Please join Shawn and Lana in this interactive workshop where you will be able to directly experience many activities.

Jerry Balistreri, BS, MS, M.Ed., DTE, Anchorage, AK (Professional Educator; Administrator; Speaker; and Trainer)

"Reading the Tells—Learning How to Read Body Language"

Reading the Tells is a powerful workshop that will give you practical techniques, tools, and strategies for understanding and using nonverbal communication for the highest impact and effectiveness. Become a highly respected, highly influential, and highly successful communicator! Whether you are a counselor, teacher, principal, or supervisor, the degree of career success you enjoy is virtually dictated by your skills in communicating with others on the job. This workshop will address what “tells” are, where to look for them, and what they mean. Eight to ten examples of tells will be provided for each of the following body areas: feet and legs, upper torso, arms, hands and fingers, and the face. In this workshop, you will (1) develop skills in reading non-verbal “tells” both in the workplace and with friends and family members; (2) recognize the limbic system and its role in nonverbal communication; (3) dispel the myth of “fight or flight”; (4) detect deception in any situation; and (5) increase positive communication that hits the mark every time.

Jerry Balistreri is a professional educator, administrator, speaker, and trainer. His training on how to read body language leaves participants wanting more and creates a memorable experience. He has had over twenty-five years’ experience in public education and ten years in training. He has been a university department chair, a high school principal, a state supervisor with two state education departments, and is an ASTD certified trainer. Jerry has been training, researching, writing, and speaking on nonverbal communication for over thirty years.

Join Jerry in this workshop and learn the practical techniques, tools, and strategies for understanding and using non-verbal communication for the highest impact and effectiveness in your life and enhance your communication skills by learning how to read body language by reading the tells.

Steve Schneider, NBCT, Sheboygan, WI (Past WSCA President; ASCA Secondary Level Vice-President; School Counselor, Sheboygan South High School);

Kevin Formolo, NBCT, Sheboygan, WI (Past WSCA Secondary Vice-President; School Counselor, Sheboygan South High School)

"Programs of Study: Involving the Whole Community in Students’ Individual Learning Plans"

“College and career readiness” is a phrase that is becoming increasingly prominent in the discussions about the effectiveness of our national education system. For school counselors, it is imperative that we remain part of the education reform equation by keeping our practices current and relevant. Utilizing our skills to develop Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) for each student is a common best practice. Attaching those ILPs to programs of study that have been developed with the input of the community provides meaningful outcomes to our local businesses and industries. Learn the steps necessary to begin the process of connecting your student’s career and educational plans to the resources in your communities.

Steve Schneider is a WSCA past president, current ASCA Secondary Level Vice-President, and school counselor for Sheboygan South High School. Kevin Formolo is a past WSCA Secondary Vice-President and is a school counselor at Sheboygan South High School. Please join Steve and Kevin and learn the steps necessary to begin the process of connecting your student’s career and educational plans to the resources in your communities.

Carol L. Johnson, Ph.D., Menomonie, WI (Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin–Stout, School of Education, School Counseling Program);

Tana L. Lamm, Menomonie, WI (Career Counselor, University of Wisconsin–Stout)

"Cool Tools for Career Counseling K–12"

Do you need some help with individual career planning? Join us for an evening workshop to explore the stages of assessing, planning, and transitioning to post-secondary options. Whether elementary, middle, or high school, facilitators will showcase ideas for a variety of age levels and abilities. Come away with a packet of sample lessons, planning sheets, resource materials, and the latest on career planning to help all students develop options for future careers!

Dr. Johnson is the assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout in the School of Education for the School Counseling Program and is a past WSCA presenter. Tana Lamm is a career counselor at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. Please join them for cool tools for career counseling.