December: Self-Care

In This Issue:

A Message from the WSCA Exec. Dir.
Important Dates 
A Message from the WSCA Board
Feature Article: Time to Recharge
Stress & Self Care Resources
Legislative Update – Building the People’s Budget
Counselink
Conf Keynote – Kevin Fleming Video
Conference Sectionals Released!
WI Technical College Survey
ASCA National Model Helpful Tips
ASCA Model Training – Registration Open
Upcoming Events and Committee Updates
Tell Us Your Story

A Message from the WSCA Executive Director

 A Message from the WSCA Board

Applying to be on the WSCA Board of Directors was an easy decision. I am privileged to collaborate frequently with the impressive School Counselors within my building and within my district, and being on the Board offered a chance to collaborate further with professionals who believe in the power and leadership of this occupation. I am grateful everyday for the opportunities we get to serve students, staff, and families within our educational system, and I wanted to do more to support the WSCA mission.

Being on the Board has also become a pleasantly unexpected time for self-care, which is a good theme to visit in December! December is the month that (for me at least!) the honeymoon period that comes with the start of the year begins to end, and the emotional burden attached to our role starts to get heavier. This year, the board is focusing on connecting to our members and highlighting the leadership and advocacy work that members do; however, it is tempting to focus on what our profession on the whole is doing for others and not enough on what we are doing for ourselves and each other to keep us well.

Depending on the research, 30-66% of School Counselors report high levels of emotional exhaustion and burnout. The ASCA Ethical Standards also includes a mandate for self-care in requiring that School Counselors address physical or mental health needs that may impact their ability to meet student and staff need. In this way, it is important that as members who are both leaders and advocates in schools and communities, that we highlight the ways in which you are leaders and advocates for self-care and wellness.

For me, being on the Board is self-care. It is energizing. It “re-fills my bucket” (a phrase all elementary counselors will understand!). When issues with individual students, teachers, or families arise and become overwhelming, it is refreshing and rejuvenating to meet with the inspiring members of the WSCA organization and become grounded once again in the foundational work of School Counselors as a whole. Board meetings give me a chance to step back and remind myself why I entered this profession. In conclusion, this is an ask for members to continue being leaders, not just in giving to others, but also in giving to themselves, and to share your voice with WSCA on how the organization can support a culture of wellness!

Miriam Browman

Board Member

brownme@verona.k12.wi.us

Time to Recharge…

Jennifer Larsen

Looking back, it has been a few years since I allowed myself the time to take off a couple of days from my counseling position and attend the Wisconsin School Counselors Association Conference. My position was cut and I moved to a new district and a new counseling position and needed all the time I had to acclimate myself to the new job.  This year I am finally back 100% in the elementary school. I have had many new things added to my laundry list of things to take on in my counseling role and I don’t see the list getting any shorter. This year, I finally asked for the opportunity to revisit one of my favorite conferences, WSCA. I was very happy with my decision.

Even in route, I was excited to connect.  There is something to say about going to a conference that is full of people who all share your occupation and understand your drive and dedication to the profession. The keynotes, sectionals, and networking recharge me and pump me up full of new found energy.  This year was no exception. There is always a few topics that seem to be all the buzz offering new and exciting information.

For me, I was very interested in attending sectionals that had to do with the counselor’s role in PBIS.  A new hat that I wear is that of the PBIS internal coach. The first year of this process can be a little daunting.  I feel as if we take a few steps forward only to come together as a team and re-evaluate and take a couple steps back. Some of the sectionals that I attended such as “Building a Community of Upstanders and “The School Counselor and The Principal Team” offered great information to establish more of a common language school wide and to clearly define your role as a counselor. There was a wealth of materials that was offered in the sectionals and the opportunity to purchase what you needed in the exhibits. I was grateful that the handouts and links for the various speakers were at my fingertips when I returned to my school and tried to recall all that I was excited to learn.

I was very interested in the sectional on the Zones of Regulations because we are thinking of starting it by grade levels next year.  As the sectional unfolded I felt like the concept of Zones seems simple enough for all grade levels to understand and the presenter offered simple lessons that build upon the concept at each grade level. I felt like I was able to come back to my school and offer more insight to our “under construction” program having been able to attend this conference.

This conference offered me new resources, new and creative ways of handling old issues, thoughtful and approachable presenters willing to help, and plenty of opportunities to connect and network with my peers.  I can’t wait for next year!