School counselors conference kicks off

School counselors from across the state of Arkansas will meet this week at the Hot Springs Convention Center for the 2018 Arkansas School Counselors Association Conference.

"Our conference theme for this is 'Team ArSCA.' Right now, we have 425 counselors registered and expect more to do on-site registration on Monday," Terri Callaway, president of the ArSCA, said last week. "Our convention is a time for counselors to receive up to 18 professional development hours that are aligned with our goals of meeting students' academic, personal and social development and career planning."

There will be two keynote speakers and more than 100 breakout sessions during the conference, she added.

Scarlett Lewis, founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, will speak today. The organization was formed after the death of her son during the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012.

"Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be a part of the solution to the issues that we're seeing in our society," Callaway said. "She created the Movement and became an advocate for social and emotional learning that teaches children how to manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy relationships."

On Tuesday, Vera Jones, a Syracuse Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete and sports broadcaster, will speak. Callaway said Jones "passionately pursues her purpose by empowering individuals and teams to 'Play Through the Foul' of adversity and win in the game of life."

"Our conference gives counselors from across the state the opportunity to network and learn from others," Callaway said. "The majority of our break out sessions being offered are led by school counselors."

The ArSCA is the state division of the American School Counselor Association and its goal is to "expand the image and influence of school counselors and to empower school counselors with the knowledge, skills, linkages and resources to promote equity and access to a high-quality education and overall success for every student in school."

"The counselors of our state are advocates for all students," Callaway said. "They work tirelessly to implement a comprehensive program that helps every student to develop competencies in academic achievement, personal and social development and career planning."

Local on 07/09/2018

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