News

Our very own Lauren Baker jumps out of a plane!

The event was to raise awareness of opportunities via Army scholarships and/or enlisting with the Army, regardless of post-secondary interests.

Right now the Golden Knights only have 1 female in their ranks.

See the full video here!

SCOY nominations open February 5th-March 5th Non-members can nominate, but must be TSCA member to BE nominated https://tennessee.schoolcounselorawards.org/scoy/ All nominees’ materials must be submitted by March 12th Notification by May 1st Contact Bethany.Erb@cmcss.net with questions Administrator of the Year and TSCA Advocacy Award Nominations open February 5th-March 5th must be TSCA member to nominate Non-members can be nominated https://tennessee.schoolcounselorawards.org/scoy/ Notification by May 1st Contact Bethany.erb@cmcss.net with questions  TSCA Conference Scholarship Application Open February 5th-March 5th https://forms.gle/axvMhkAKedfuRuPPA Notification by May 1st Contact Bethany.erb@cmcss.net with questions

TSCA Newsletter Feb 2021

"A mascot by any other name: Understanding the impact of the Rebel as a high school mascot"

by Eric Davis 

Assistant Professor

University of South Florida

Read the full article here: TSCA Newsletter 2.0 .docx

 

Tennessee 2020 ACT College and Career Readiness Workshop : for the latest ACT Updates, Resources, and PD.  They can also share this link with administrators, testing coordinators, and teachers who help with the school or district’s College and Career Readiness Plan or Strategic Assessment Plan in improving scores and increasing opportunities for students.

QuaverSEL Trainings and Support

Are you using the amazing member benefit of accessing the QuaverSEL curriculum this year? The team at QuaverSEL has put together numerous opportunities for us to idea share, learn more, and problem solve together.

QuaverSEL PLC

October 13, 2020

5:00-6:30 p.m Central

This virtual meeting will include discussion on topics related to current teaching practices. This webinar will be highly participatory, so come ready to share! The goal is to leave each PLC with new ideas and most of all comfort that you are not alone.

QuaverSEL Webinar: Managing Burnout - How to Reignite Your Flame

October 15, 2020

2:30 p.m CT

As we move into the fall and settle into the school year, our energy may be fading or burning out. If you find yourself having screen or school fatigue, you are not alone. This 30 minute webinar will define different types of burnout and give you two practical and immediate ways to use QuaverSEL to help you manage your burnout. Leave the webinar with a greater sense of self-awareness and tools to reignite your flame.

QuaverSEL PLC

November 17, 2020

5:00-6:30 p.m Central

This virtual meeting will include discussion on topics related to current teaching practices. This webinar will be highly participatory, so come ready to share! The goal is to leave each PLC with new ideas and most of all comfort that you are not alone.

For more support visit: https://help.quavered.com/professional-development/video-training-courses/quaversel-video-training/

With the school year in full swing, most students are looking forward to the next big holiday, Halloween.  Many schools may schedule special days for dressing up or classroom parties.  Students enjoy dressing up, laughing with friends and hope to go home with lots of candy.  However, for many, Halloween is just the beginning of food focused holidays which can bring about anxiety and stress for students with food allergies.  The Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website reports that 1 in 13 students, two per classroom, has a life-threatening food allergy.  Although virtually any food can cause an allergic reaction, the most common food allergens, also called the “Top 8”, are: peanut, tree nut (such as almond, pecan, walnut, etc), milk, wheat, egg, soy, fish and shellfish.  Food allergies are not the same as food intolerances or “picky eaters”.  For students with a food allergy, even the smallest amount of the allergen could trigger a reaction that may lead to death.  This reaction may include hives, itching, swelling of the face and hands, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, etc.  For food allergic students, any classroom activity, party, or reward that involves food is a potential for an allergic reaction.  Students may feel constant anxiety in situations involving food.  No one wants to experience an allergic reaction, especially not in front of peers.  Students may also fear of being excluded or appearing different from their peers and this can cause added stress.  The Teal Pumpkin Project, inspired by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET), was created to promote ways to include all students.  Some steps you can take:

1. Provide non-food treat options for rewards  (stickers, bouncy balls, pencils, plastic rings, etc)
2. Place a teal pumpkin (the color of food allergy awareness) in office, classroom and front porch
3. Spread the word about the Teal Pumpkin Project with friends and family
4. Conduct non-food activities and classroom projects

For more information: https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project or https://www.foodallergy.org/
 
Bethany Erb
School Counselor
Montgomery Central High School
Food Allergy Mom/Advocate

Dear TN School Counselors,

During this unprecedented time, you need resources you can trust. We know you're concerned about students' heightened anxiety, about equity and access issues, about safety protocols and so much more. As schools plan for re-entry and/or virtual learning, school counselors will face extraordinary challenges.

Tennessee School Counselor Association^SM (TSCA) provides state-level resources and advocacy, while ASCA is here for you at the national level. We believe you would benefit from membership in both organizations.

You may have received some conflicting information in the past few months about TSCA. Please know, TSCA has been and remains the ASCA-chartered school counseling association in the state of Tennessee. TSCA leaders have participated in ASCA leadership activities and have represented the state at the national level for many years. We hope to strengthen that relationship by helping Tennessee grow and better engage school counselors like yourself.

ASCA is extending this special offer to you, as a school counselor in Tennessee: When you join ASCA as a professional for $99* (usually $129) by Aug. 31, 2020, you'll get a complimentary membership in TSCA. Simply click here to join and include the promo code "TSCA" when you check out.

ASCA and TSCA continue to respond to the critical issues facing our students, our schools, and our nation. Don't miss out on:

·      Free ASCA webinars covering timely and relevant issues

·      Discounts on books and resources (new books are being released later this summer)

·      Discounts on ASCA professional development, including specialist trainings and conferences

·      Discount on certification (ASCA-Certified School Counselor)

·      $1 million in professional liability insurance

·      ASCA School Counselor magazine and Professional School Counseling journal

·      Access to ASCA SCENE, the online member community

·      TSCA state enewsletter and ASCA Aspects enewsletter

·      State-level advocacy

·      State-level networking and leadership opportunities

·      Access to Quaver SEL for one year through TSCA

·      Discounts on TSCA professional development and free TSCA webinars

For more information about TSCA, visit https://tennesseeschoolcounselor.org. If you have any questions about your TSCA membership, please email TSCAconnects@gmail.com.

And, as always feel free to contact ASCA at 703.683.ASCA or asca@schoolcounselor.org.

We look forward to working with you as a member of ASCA and TSCA.

Best Regards,

Tennessee School Counselor Association^SM 

 

Do you have an Administrator that has gone above and beyond for the School Counseling Department?  Do you know someone who has advocated for your role and/or profession?  Now is the time to show them how much of an impact they had!  School Administrator of the Year and TSCA Advocacy Award nomination windows are now open through August 28^th.   See the nomination portal https://tennessee.schoolcounselorawards.org/scoy/  Other Awards for more information.  If you have questions or need assistance with the portal, email Bethany.erb@cmcss.net  We can’t wait to celebrate the amazing things happening across our state!

Money is tight, but especially in the school budget this year.  Asking to attend a conference just may not be what your school had in mind.  So how about you to attend SCALI on us?  Apply for the SCALI Scholarship presented by TSCA now through August 1^st!  Scholarship winners will have their registration fees for the conference paid by TSCA.  Scholarships applicants must be current TSCA members.  Not a member? Sign up today!

Member Spotlight Bethany Erb

Our very own Bethany Erb was nominated by one of her amazing students, Kait. When she is not working hard as our Director of Awards, Recognition, and Scholarships she is making a huge difference in her own school. Kait says that Bethany's support "extends way beyond her office" and she "helps a ton in little fragments everywhere."  Kait praised Bethany by sharing that "she's been there not just for me, but for other students and staff during this unpredictable time and I can say it means a lot to all of us to have her." We hear that Bethany has even inspired some Tik Tok videos! We think this says it all: "Bethany has encouraged me to want to be a school counselor myself."  We love you Bethany and we are so grateful to have you as a member and Board Director. Do you know someone who should be recognized for their amazing work? Tell us about them, so we can honor them in an upcoming newsletter.

Race and Equity Resources:

Things We can do to end violence and racism.pdf

ASCA resources

Equity Literacy

NAESP's Confronting Racism At An Early Age

Talking About Race and Privilege: Lesson Plan for Middle and High School Students

Teaching Tolerance

Turning At Risk Into Promise: A college and career readiness group for African American middle school boys

Don't forget to visit our resource page for a full list of resources. 

The Tennessee School Counselor Association is committed to elevating the voices of our BIPOC members as well as providing professional development to support the growth of all of our members. We will continue to listen, learn, and advocate so that we may become the allies that all BIPOC deserve.

In this spirit, TSCA is creating an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access committee and we need you! If you are interested in joining or leading this team please email: tscaconnects@gmail.com