Counselor Corner

January 2025

Welcome Back!

Starting Strong: A Fresh Focus for the New Semester

Welcome to 2025 and the start of an exciting second semester! As we dive back into the hustle and bustle of the school year, we know the demands on your time and energy will only grow. The second semester is a whirlwind of activity—supporting students’ academic success, guiding post-secondary planning, and balancing countless responsibilities. It’s a season of momentum, but also one where your dedication truly shines.

While the days ahead may feel hectic, remember the incredible impact you have on the lives of the students, families, and communities you serve. You are a beacon of hope and guidance during pivotal moments in their journeys.

Take a moment to breathe, prioritize self-care, and embrace the opportunities that come with a fresh start. Lean into your partnerships with colleagues, families, and community resources—they are your allies in this work. Together, we can tackle the challenges, celebrate the milestones, and create meaningful connections that inspire growth and success among our students.

We are here to support you every step of the way. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and passion for making a difference. Let’s make this semester one of purpose, perseverance, and positivity!

Loading your Counselor Toolbox Follow-up Zoom

If you attended either of our "Loading Your Counselor Toolbox" workshops at ESC 14 back in October or November, we wanted to remind you that our 1 hour follow-up Zoom session is coming up next week, on Tuesday January 14th from 1:30-2:30pm. The Pit Stop Link just below will get you on our attendance roster, and you can access the Zoom link to the workshop from there:

Loading Your Counselor Toolbox Follow Up Zoom - Pit Stop Registration Link

During that Zoom Session we would love to hear from you about a few things:

What are some success stories from using an item/strategy?
What are some modifications you made to the items/strategies to better fit a particular setting or need (especially if they're not modifications we suggested)?
What are some problems or lingering questions you've run into about how to use the supplies? For example, have you wondered, "Where do I go next..." with a particular student in mind?

We hope to see you for that brief time to reconnect and refresh knowledge about your Toolboxes, and can't wait to hear about how things are going.

Dress Up with Us

We highly encourage everyone to come in their best dressed Grease outfits!

3rd Annual Mental Health Summit

June 18

Registration opens April 1st

Target Audience: Counselors, teachers, administrators

Send inquires to Dina Riggins driggins@esc14.net

Navigating High School Graduation Requirements and Options

July 14-15

This is a 2 day event. Registration Opens April 1st

Join us for a two day overview of the requirements for a Texas High School diploma, and a comprehensive look at possible combinations and considerations for pathways for Foundation High School Plan students as they progress towards graduation. Presenters will help participants navigate the process for effectively advising students using the most updated changes to TEC 74 graduation requirements and TEA programs of study, and participants will be provided with tips and tools for maintenance checks along the way. Lastly, this workshop will provide an overview of the requirements encompassing high school transcripts including best practice tips. Participants will walk through updated rules and regulations for transcripts.
Presenters: Zan Wilson and Jennifer Seekins
This workshop is designed to cover graduation requirements, programs of study and transcripts.
Target Audience- counselors, dean of students and anyone working with middle school and high school students.
This is an in-person workshop only and will be offered once during summer 2025 due to the length of the workshop.

2024-2025 TxCAN Financial Aid Training Center

Below you will find registration links to important financial aid training webinars. These webinars do reach capacity, so counselors should register for the ones that are needed and mark their calendars.

FAFSA Completion

When January 15 from 12:00-4:00

Description: This 4-hour virtual one-day training is meant for beginner & intermediate-level practitioners who wish to do a deep dive into the Better FAFSA application. This training will walk you through the online form, give you opportunities to practice with complex scenarios, and highlight the potential pitfalls all practitioners and students should be aware of.

Registration Link

FAFSA Q&A

When: February 13 from 10:00-11:00

Description: This participant-driven, peer-learning session is designed for practitioners who are supporting students with the FAFSA and are looking for a space to answer questions and work out tricky scenarios.

Registration Link

Did you read the Winter Newsletter?

Don't forget to look over all the information I provided in the Winter Newsletter I sent out last month as I try not to duplicate information

https://secure.smore.com/n/tap2y

Attention High School Counselors

Individual Graduation Committees

With December EOC results available, be sure you are getting your seniors who still need to pass 2 of the 5 end of course exams started on their IGC. Don't wait a moment longer to get these Committees rolling for senior students.

For IGC information, click here

Sexuality Education Resources

The resources below where shared with me by Traci Wasmer, our ESC 14 nurse consultant

Two great Texas resources that I refer people to are:

ESTEEM- www.esteemjourney.com teachers are trained to use their curriculum, which addresses ALL TEKS

Youth Equipped to Succeed- www.justsayyes.com outside speakers come present their programs

There also may be a local pregnancy center that is providing sexual risk avoidance programs- but I am not familiar with any in that area.

Hope that helps!

Lori Kuykendall, MPH

President, Beacon Health Education Resources

lorik@beaconhealthed.com

www.beaconhealthed.com

972-955-7813

TEA Student Supports Division Newsletter: January 2025