Contact Information

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS — HALF-DAY

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

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 1:30–5:00 p.m.
Half-Day Preconference Workshops

Dr. Joni L. Downs, LLC, Milwaukee, WI (Therapies East Associates)

Lisa Koenecke, Stoughton, WI (WSCA Middle School Vice-President Elect and School Counselor, River Bluff Middle School)

Brian Juchems, Madison, WI (Program Director, Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools)

Tim Michel, Madison, WI (Program Assistant, Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools)

"A School Counselor’s Role in Providing a Safe Climate for LGBTQ Students, Families, and Staff through Data and Research"

Research shows that students identifying as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning/Queer) are bullied/harassed at alarming rates. If students don’t feel safe, their achievement rates decline. School counselors have an important role to provide a safe climate for all students. The role of the school counselor is to advocate for systemic change for LGBTQ students, staff, and families in Wisconsin; and that will save lives!

Topics presented include:

• Research by Dr. Downs on the decision of LGB staff to come out or not in their settings; if a staff member doesn’t feel safe to come out, why would a student?
• Data: How to use it, where to find it, how to collect it in order to help this population.
• How people can go from bystanders to allies when they encounter harassment/bullying of their LGBTQ counterparts.
• Common language to use when “That’s so gay” is heard or said.
• How to make your setting a welcome environment for LGBTQ families.

Dr. Downs is in private practice where she works with adolescents and adults who are addressing a wide range of concerns. She has worked ten years as a school counselor at the middle and high school levels in southeastern WI. Lisa Koenecke is currently a school counselor at River Bluff Middle School in Stoughton, WI. She is also a board member for the Wisconsin School Counselor Association. She has presented numerous times on LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning/ Queer, Ally) topics, graduate students issues, and leadership and supervision at the Wisconsin School Counselor state conference. Both Brian Juchems and Tim Michel work for the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) for Safe Schools in Madison, WI. GSA for Safe Schools offers support, trainings, and resources for the entire state of Wisconsin.

Join Lisa, Joni, Tim, and Brian in this informative workshop!

Alan Burkard, Ph.D., Milwaukee, WI (ASCA President; WSCA Past President; Associate Professor, Marquette University)

“Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice”

This workshop will focus on accountability in school counseling programs, and the larger perspective of evidence-based school counseling practice and program evaluation. To address these issues, participants will learn the differences between research and program evaluation, learn the PIE model of accountability, and be able to link the PIE model and accountability practice to evidence-based school counseling practice. Although workshop participants will receive some didactic instruction, they will also work in small groups developing evaluation plans for their school counseling programs. A number of program evaluation tools and resources will also be provided.

Dr. Burkard is the Department Chair and Associate Professor for the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at Marquette University in Milwaukee. All school counselors are invited to attend this workshop.

”Miss Ann” Fuerbringer, Slinger, WI (WSCA Conference Coordinator; WSCA Conference Sectionals; WSCA Past President; Elementary School Counselor, Addison Elementary School, Slinger School District)

"Elementary Make and Take Plus Program Possibilities Using Prevention, Intervention, and Promotion of Self to Complement Character Traits"

Attention 4K–5th grade school counselors! Running out of time to make learning activities that enhance character education? Then this session is for you! You will make and take various games and activities that will benefit all students whether it is for the prevention, intervention, or promotion of self. Practical ideas for character traits will be shared that are developmentally appropriate for each grade level. Several service ideas for fourth and fifth grade groups will also be shared along with school-wide PBIS ideas.

“Miss Ann” is a former Wisconsin Elementary School Counselor of the Year, WSCA past president, WSCA Conference Co-Coordinator, and an elementary school counselor for 24 years. Join this workshop and learn, play, create, and be energized for future classroom lessons!

Kevin Vosters, Appleton, WI (Student Recruitment Specialist, Fox Valley Technical College; Wisconsin Technical College Representative)

Leslie Fischer, Wausau, WI (Career Coach, Northcentral Technical College; Wisconsin Technical College Representative)

"The Truth Revealed about Today’s Technical Colleges"

“Be prepared to have your eyes opened, your hands busy, and your mind changed! Find out for yourself why Wisconsin’s technical colleges consistently get overwhelmingly positive reviews by students and employers alike, and experience the hands-on, high-tech training students receive at Wisconsin’s technical colleges. See if you can make a life-saving diagnosis on a human patient simulator used in healthcare training, or try your hand at creating an animated virtual world using the latest multimedia technology. Those are just two of many examples of amazing technology you will get to try during this seminar.

The education offered at Wisconsin’s technical colleges is practical, hands-on, and focused on preparing students for the high-skill, high-paying jobs of the future. With over 86 percent of graduates achieving employment within six months of graduation, Wisconsin’s technical colleges put the “hire” in higher education. If your students want career training for jobs that are in demand, one of Wisconsin’s technical colleges might be the answer—so come learn more about us!

Kevin Vosters has over 20 years of experience in student recruitment at Fox Valley Technical College, where he works closely with students, parents, and high school teachers and counselors.

Leslie Fischer has been with Northcentral Technical College since 2007. As a career coach, Leslie is a liaison for the college with area K–12 school districts, students, and parents.

Accompanying Kevin and Leslie will be representatives from several of Wisconsin technical colleges to answer your questions about program options and admission requirements throughout the state. Attend this session and experience the truth revealed about today’s technical colleges.

Willow Sweeney, St. Paul, MN (Top 20 Training)

"Overcoming Chronic Negativity and Roadblocks to Learning in School"

Negativity and roadblocks to learning impact student engagement in school. This session will present practical ways we can increase student engagement by reducing negativity and roadblocks.

This workshop will include the following topics: Living above the line: How our thinking governs our experience. This topic focuses on becoming aware of our thinking so we know when it is working and when it is not working. It explores (1) the conditions that come up in our life that invite us to go below the line, (2) indicators telling us when we are below, (3) how to handle below the line experiences with more grace and dignity, and (4) how to trampoline back above the line.

Creating safe connections in the classroom that foster student engagement. When students’ names are spoken and their voices are heard, they experience a sense of belonging and are more likely to engage in learning. This session presents two processes that increase student engagement by making safe connections with classmates and adults.

Keeping stupid in the box: helping students learn from mistakes and move outside their comfort zone. When students feel stupid or fear making mistakes, they disengage and stay locked in their comfort zone. Based on research from students and adults, this session identifies (1) five causes of stupid, (2) responses students make when they feel stupid, (3) how we can minimize the negative impact stupid has on students, and (4) more effective ways of responding to mistakes so students don’t fear trying and moving outside their comfort zone.

Willow Sweeney facilitates Top 20 Training seminars throughout the United States. She specializes in communication and relationship topics. For eight years, Willow taught social studies at Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Join Willow and learn ways to overcome the chronic negativity and roadblocks to learning in school.