Online Learning Program 2026-2027

Elementary Learning Labs: 2nd Wednesday of the Month

September – 9/9/2026

Good to See You! Attendance Matters

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Mindy Ganser, Elementary School Counselor, Watertown Unified School District
• Description: Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s just kindergarten”? Attendance truly matters, especially in the early years, when it’s important to start building healthy habits and routines that proactively improve attendance. Attendance is more than simply showing up to school—it’s about becoming part of the school community, forming meaningful connections with teachers and peers, and strengthening academic foundations. This presentation will explore what WUSD does to promote attendance within its schools while also fostering strong family engagement.
• Track: Social/Emotional

October – 10/14/2026

Helping Students Recognize Feelings, Independently Problem Solve Good Choices and How to Use In Every Day Counseling

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Tiffany Schuette, Elementary School Counselor, New Holstein School District
• Description: The Zones of Regulation is an SEL program that helps students identify how they are feeling. The Zones teaches students to choose behaviors that can help them consciously regulate their emotions. In this sectional you will learn about the Zones and how it can be used in counseling along with lesson plans that you can use. You will also receive different ideas on how to implement the Zones school-wide over the course of a few years.
• Track: Social/Emotional

November – 11/11/2026

Behavior Impedes Learning? I’ve Checked Yes, Now What!

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Katie Berg, Statewide Coordinator, Supporting Neurodiverse Students Professional Learning Systems
• Description: Participants will deepen their understanding of the question “Does the student’s behavior impede their learning or that of others?” We will dig into a variety of approaches to support inclusive strategies to address behavioral needs including: interrupting bias, building healthy relationships, building proactive positive approaches, understanding the response cycle, and shifting adult mindsets. 
• Track: Social/Emotional

December – 12/9/2026

Battling Inattention: Tiered Tips and Development for Understanding Executive Functioning

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: David Linsmeyer, Elementary School Counselor, Saint Croix Central Elementary
• Description: “These kids just can’t pay attention,” is a common phrase heard throughout K-12 education, particularly elementary school. But how many attention concerns are due to an attention deficit? How often are we mislabeling students as inattentive when practical strategies for sustained focus are left untouched? This sectional will combine behavioral and neurological concepts to describe why students struggle to “pay attention.”
• Track: Social/Emotional

January – 1/13/2027

Exploring Careers Through the Lens of the 7 Habits

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Kaity Liddicoat, District School Counselor Coordinator, Green Bay Area Public Schools
• Description: This session is designed for individuals who are passionate about fostering career readiness and personal growth in students. We will explore how teaching through the lens of the 7 Habits can provide your students with the tools and strategies needed to set meaningful goals and navigate their career paths effectively. Participants will gain valuable insights and practical tools to help your students succeed in their career journeys.
• Track: Academic/Career

2/10/2027: Supporting Grieving Students in the School Setting

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Dana Bash, Therapist, The Psychology Clinic Madison 
• Description: This presentation will cover the basics of grief and what you might encounter in the school setting with your students. It will also include ways to support students and yourself/colleagues as you navigate grief. 
• Track: Social/Emotional

3/10/2027: Planning a School Year of Social Emotional Learning: Using Themes to Focus Developmental Guidance

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Sarah Eder, Elementary School Counselor, Hurley School District
• Description: There is a variety of structured curriculums that offer scripts, activities, and are often tied tightly to standards and mindsets that drive our school counseling practice. This session is not going to tell you to find a program and follow it verbatim. During our time together we will look at using data to identify your students specific needs and develop themed programming using common language and skills. The focus will be on mapping out Tier 1 Universal Interventions.
• Track: Social/Emotional

4/14/2027: Career-Connected Learning in the Elementary Years, Part 1: Wonder Today, Prepare for Tomorrow

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: Career development doesn’t begin in middle or high school—it begins the moment students start wondering about themselves and the world around them. In this session, we’ll explore how career-connected learning helps elementary students discover their interests, recognize their strengths, and answer one of the most important questions in education: “Why am I learning this?” School counselors play a critical leadership role in creating a schoolwide culture where classroom learning, career awareness, and student curiosity are intentionally connected. Participants will learn practical strategies for partnering with teachers, engaging families, and utilizing Xello to build meaningful career-connected experiences that lay the foundation for future Academic and Career Planning. Along the way, we’ll explore how opportunities for student reflection help children begin understanding who they are and the possibilities that await them.
• Track: Academic/Career

5/12/2027: Career-Connected Learning in the Elementary Years, Part 2: Career Exploration in Xello

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: Wondering how to get the absolute most out of Xello K-5 to build meaningful career awareness for your youngest learners? You’re not alone—and Xello’s here to help! This session will help you unlock the full power of the Xello K-5 platform to create engaging, age-appropriate career exploration. Together, we’ll take a deep dive into Xello’s elementary features, explore hands-on activities, and discover how to easily track and celebrate student progress along the way. Think of this as your dedicated space to share ideas, gain clarity on statewide ACP elementary goals, and ensure the fantastic work you’re doing maximizes student engagement right now. You’ll leave this session equipped with fresh ideas, simplified planning tools, and the confidence to fully leverage Xello to lay a strong foundation for your elementary students’ futures.
• Track: Academic/Career

Middle School Learning Labs: 2nd Thursday of the Month

9/10/2026: Self-Care through Cultural Lenses: Integrating Wellness in School Counseling Programs

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Mastewal Seyeneh, Assistant Professor; Olamojiba Bamgbose, Associate Professor; Jennifer Betters-Bubon, Professor, University of Wisconsin -Whitewater
• Description: Through this interactive session, participants will compare self-care practices across cultural contexts, exploring how values shape wellness strategies. Case studies and practical examples will illustrate how cultural identity influences self-care and how counselors can integrate a culturally responsive understanding of self-care into their schools. Join an inclusive discussion on diverse cultural perspectives to ultimately foster more effective and sustainable wellness practices in schools.
• Track: Social/Emotional

10/8/2026: Building a Comprehensive School-Based Approach to Supporting Youth Mental Health

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Molly Shea, Youth Program Coordinator, NAMI Wisconsin
• Description: Creating a school culture that supports youth mental health, reduces stigma, and helps prevent suicide is essential to a healthy school community. This presentation highlights free, accessible NAMI programs for K–12 students, parents, and school staff. Programs include an extracurricular mental health club and evidence-based educational presentations tailored to students of different ages, caregivers, and educators. Participants will also learn steps for implementation and how to navigate barriers with ease.
• Track: Social/Emotional

11/12/2026: Conversations that Matter: Leading with Courage and Clarity

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Marci Waldron-Kuhn, Director of Learning Services, CESA 7
• Description: Explore the role of courageous conversations in fostering trust, collaboration, and growth within schools and teams. These conversations are essential for addressing challenges, building relationships, and achieving shared goals. Clear communication inspires trust, strengthens relationships and promotes transparency. By navigating courageous conversations, individuals can lead with empathy, embrace change, resolve conflicts, and build a supportive, effective environment for all.
• Track: Leadership/Advocacy

12/10/2026: The Vape Prevention Playbook: Tools, Strategies & Support for Educators and Community Partners

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Scott Gerbert, Director, Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, Stanford School of Medicine’s REACH Lab
• Description: Discover how Stanford REACH Lab’s free, evidence-based curriculums related to the Triangulum of nicotine, vaping, and cannabis, along with other drugs, are helping schools and communities prevent and reduce youth vaping and provide meaningful and critical interventions. Scott Gerbert will walk participants through lesson structures, classroom activities, interactive tools, and family engagement resources available for elementary through high school. Learn practical strategies that build refusal skills, reduce stress, challenge marketing influences, and empower youth voice — all while creating supportive conversations between young people and trusted adults.
• Track: Access/Opportunity

1/14/2027: Why Do People Self-Injure?

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Dr. Brooke Ammerman, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin – Madison
• Description: This session explores the psychological functions of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), including emotional regulation and communication needs. It addresses common myths, risk factors, and evidence-based approaches to support individuals who self-injure. 
• Track: Social/Emotional

2/11/2027: High-Quality Career Advising in Middle School: Part 1- From Curiosity to Confidence

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: Middle school is where students begin asking some of life’s biggest questions: Who am I? What am I good at? Where do I belong? In this session, we’ll explore how high-quality career advising helps students answer these questions while building the confidence and skills they need to make informed decisions about high school and beyond. We’ll also explore how intentional reflection helps students better understand how their goals evolve. School counselors are often charged with leading a comprehensive career advising system that helps students connect self-awareness, career exploration, academic planning, and future opportunities. Participants will learn the essential elements of high-quality career advising, strategies for engaging staff and families, and how Xello can support a schoolwide career advising system. 
• Track: Academic/Career

3/11/2027: High-Quality Career Advising in Middle School, Part 2: Career Advisement in Xello

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: Middle school is the prime time for students to ask big questions about who they are and who they want to become. Effective career advising helps turn those big questions into confidence—and Xello is here to make those conversations easier and more personal than ever! Join us for an encouraging walkthrough on how to provide impactful career conversations to 6th–8th grade students using Xello’s robust tools, featuring a special spotlight on Xello’s Advising Assistant. We’ll show you how this tool can help you track advising sessions to ensure all students participate in at least one individual advising session each year. This will help you save time, personalize student interactions, and give you actionable insights to guide every learner forward. You’ll leave feeling equipped, inspired, and ready to lead meaningful career conversations with your students!
• Track: Academic/Career

4/8/2027: Zone Defense: A Proactive Way to Implement the Zones of Regulation in Middle School

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Bradley Demmin & Andrea Diamond, School Counselors, Kimberly Area School District
• Description: Adolescence is a time of big changes, and we as counselors have a front row seat to the major shifts at play in the minds of middle schoolers. At such a complex age, sometimes the simplest interventions are the most effective. JRG in Kimberly has implemented school-wide education and reinforcement about the “Zones of Regulation” to find a common language among students, counselors, and teachers in a productive way…and there’s data to prove it!
• Track: Social/Emotional

High School Learning Labs: 3rd Wednesday of the Month

September – 9/16/2026

Media & The Mental Health Crisis

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Dr. Roxy Etta, Child Development & Parenting State Specialist, Human Development & Relationships Institute
• Description: As digital media becomes a bigger part of everyday life, concerns about its role in teens’ mental health have grown. This presentation focuses on practical, research-informed strategies to support healthy media habits and promote emotional well-being throughout childhood.
• Track: Social/Emotional

October – 10/21/2026

From High School to Bachelor’s: Online Degree Pathways through the Universities of Wisconsin

Open to the public! Click here to Register

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Troy Marshall, Program Manager, UW Collaboratives & Amanda Goetsch, Program Manager, Universities of Wisconsin, Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources
• Description: This presentation introduces school counselors to pathways available for students to take online courses through the Universities of Wisconsin’s Independent Learning program and the wide range of UW Online Collaborative general education classes and bachelor’s completion programs. Students can begin earning transferable credits in high school through the Early College Credit Program, then continue into online courses in support to their UW general education requirements, culminating in an online bachelor’s completion degree. UW Online Collaboratives provides accredited, affordable, and supportive options that equip students with essential skills while ensuring smooth transfer into bachelor’s programs in fields such as applied computing, health information management and technology, nursing, business, and more. Counselors will gain insight into how these online pathways offer students flexibility, accessibility, and a high-quality education backed by the collaborative strength of multiple UW campuses.
• Track: Academic/Career

11/18/2026: Healthy Futures: Effective Alternatives to Suspension for Nicotine and Cannabis Smoking/Vaping

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Scott Gerbert, Director, Outreach and Strategic Partnerships, Stanford School of Medicine’s REACH Lab
• Description: Exclusionary discipline just doesn’t work! The psychological harms, along with other adverse impacts done by exclusionary discipline, do not lead to positive behavior changes. In this session, the presenters will share interventions, policies, and procedures, that have proven to transform schools and communities, through inclusive and restorative practices, where health and educational inequities are eliminated, and where youth voice and agency are at the center of meaningful change.
• Track: Access/Opportunity

12/16/2026: Supporting English Language Learners as School Counselors

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Ana Baez, School Counselor, Milwaukee Public Schools
• Description: School counselors play a critical role in helping English Language Learners and newcomer students navigate not only a new language, but often a new school system, culture, community, and vision for their future. This session will explore practical, culturally responsive strategies school counselors can use to create belonging, strengthen family partnerships, advocate for equitable access, and support the academic, social-emotional, and college/career needs of multilingual learners. Drawing from real-world experiences in a highly diverse urban high school and Newcomer Center, participants will examine ways to remove language and systemic barriers, collaborate with school and community partners, and ensure multilingual students and families have the information, resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Track: Access/Opportunity

1/20/2027: From URL to IRL: Overcoming School Anxiety and Refusal in a Post-Remote Learning World

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Bridget Mitchell, Vice President, Marketing and Partnerships, Compass Health Center
• Description: School anxiety and refusal is not a new phenomenon, but the impact of remote learning and post-pandemic familial stressors have created unique challenges in addressing it. Truancy rates are increasing, with corresponding social, emotional, and academic deficits for children and teens. This presentation will explore the underlying causes of school anxiety and refusal and will provide strategies for school staff and parents to support teens in overcoming avoidance.
• Track: Social/Emotional

2/17/2027: The Real Deal: Creating Authentic ACP Opportunities for Your Students and Staff

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Susan Verhagen, Student Services Department Chair and High School Counselor, Oconomowoc Area School District
• Description: Are you fully aware of what future possibilities actually exist for students after graduation? We “talk the talk” but how do we actually “walk the walk”? Cultivate a plan to immerse your staff within your local community to support career pathways and explore how to implement school-wide ACP opportunities that allow all students to experience authentic career readiness.
• Track: Academic/Career

3/17/2027: Helping Students Build Meaningful High School Academic & Career Plans, Part 1: From Planning to Purpose

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: An Academic and Career Plan isn’t a form to complete—it’s a living story of who a student is becoming. A meaningful ACP helps students reflect on who they are, identify where they want to go, and continually revise how they’ll get there as they learn, grow, and experience new opportunities. Educators play a vital role in helping students develop, reflect on, and refine their Academic and Career Plans throughout high school, ensuring each plan remains personalized, relevant, and student-owned. In this session, we’ll explore what a high-quality student ACP should look like, the essential elements students should document throughout high school, and how reflection transforms experiences into informed decisions. Participants will leave with a practical framework for helping every student build an ACP they truly own, along with an introduction to how Xello can support meaningful student planning.
• Track: Academic/Career

4/21/2027: Helping Students Build Meaningful High School Academic & Career Plans, Part 2: Portfolios, Plans & Goals in Xello

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Karin Smith, ACP and Dual Enrollment Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Sarah Tarpey, Wisconsin ACP Training Specialist, Xello
• Description: Following up after Session 1, we’re digging deeper into students’ Academic and Career Plan (ACP) while utilizing Xello custom features! Creating a meaningful ACP within Xello is a seamless place for students to revise their ACP as they learn and grow. Educators play an important role in keeping these plans relevant and student-owned throughout high school. In this session, we’ll explore what a high-quality ACP looks like in action using Xello’s Plans, Goals, and Custom Portfolios. We’ll cover how students can draw from their assessment results, documented experiences, and coursework to make informed decisions about their futures. Participants will walk away with a practical framework and actionable Xello strategies to help every student synthesize their experiences into a personalized ACP they truly own.
• Track: Academic/Career

K-12 Learning Labs: 4th Wednesday of the Month

September – 9/23/2026

Bullying Prevention Campaign from Children’s Wisconsin

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Clay Anton, E-Learning Specialist, Children’s WI
• Description: Just in time for Bullying Prevention Awareness month! Join Children’s Wisconsin for an overview of the 2026 Bullying Prevention Campaign and learn how to bring this initiative to your school community. This webinar will walk school counselors through campaign goals, key activities, available resources, and implementation tips to support a successful launch. Participants will also learn how the campaign promotes safer, more supportive school environments while engaging students, staff, and families in bullying prevention efforts. This session is ideal for school counselors who will be leading or supporting bullying prevention activities during the 2026–2027 school year.
• Track: Social/Emotional
• Click here for Presentation Resources

10/28/2026: Behind the Screen: Understanding Online Risks for Students

• Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Presenter: Joanna Wilhelm &  Eric Voland, Special Agents, Wisconsin Department of Justice – Division of Criminal Investigation
• Description: As technology continues to mold how children and teens develop and socialize, understanding internet safety has never been more important. This presentation will provide an overview of internet safety with a focus on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and the growing threat on online sextortion. Participants will gain an understanding of how offenders manipulate digital platforms, recognize common warning signs, and learn practical strategies to help prevent victimization. We will also highlight collaborative efforts by law enforcement, parents, educators, and community members to promote safer online environments for youth, including reporting resources and prevention tools.
• Track: Social/Emotional

2/24/2027: Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®: Building Stronger Families Through Practical Parenting Strategies

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Clay Anton, E-Learning Specialist; Jackie Schommer, Program Manager; Nicki Bie, Community Health and Education Specialist; Children’s Wisconsin
• Description: School counselors play a critical role in helping English Language Learners and newcomer students navigate not only a new language, but often a new school system, culture, community, and vision for their future. This session will explore practical, culturally responsive strategies school counselors can use to create belonging, strengthen family partnerships, advocate for equitable access, and support the academic, social-emotional, and college/career needs of multilingual learners. Drawing from real-world experiences in a highly diverse urban high school and Newcomer Center, participants will examine ways to remove language and systemic barriers, collaborate with school and community partners, and ensure multilingual students and families have the information, resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Track: Social/Emotional

3/24/2027: Blueprint for Success: Navigating Apprenticeships and Trades Careers With Your Students

• Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
• Presenter: Laura Bell, Statewide Director, WRTP | BIG STEP & Emily Pritzkow, Executive Director, Wisconsin Building Trades Council
• Description: Interested in advising students on apprenticeships and trades careers? Join the Wisconsin Building Trades and Wisconsin’s nationally-recognized workforce intermediary WRTP | BIG STEP to learn about the family-sustaining wages, benefits, and opportunities in union construction careers. As WRTP | BIG STEP continues to expand statewide, the organization is available to help counselors connect students with training, testing, and comprehensive services to reduce barriers for those entering the trades.
• Track: Academic/Career

4/28/2027: Author Chat: Smart But Scattered

• Time: 12:00-1:00 pm
• Presenter: Dr. Peg Dawson, Author, Consultant/PD Trainer
• Description: In over 40 years of clinical practice, Dr. Peg Dawson has worked with thousands of children and teens who struggle at home and in school. At the center of their struggles are often weak executive skills. Along with her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare, she has written numerous books on this topic for educators, mental health professionals, and parents, among them Smart but Scattered, Smart but Scattered Teens, Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, and Coaching Students with Executive Skills Challenges. Peg is also a past president of the National Association of School Psychologists, and the International School Psychology Association, and is a recipient of NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Smart but Scattered is a book written for parents of children ages 4-14 that describes executive skills, their importance for both school success and social-emotional development, and things they can do to support executive skill development in their children.
• Track: Social/Emotional