WSCA Year End Report 2012-2013

Role: President Name: Jeannie Beierle

Ends 1: Professional Development School counselors will be professionally competent and engaged at the highest level.

Actions Taken: I co-facilitated the new model at the WCA conference in Spokane in October. I then did a similar but shorter presentation for the ESD 113 regional counselor meeting in November.

I attended all conference committee meetings to help develop a strong conference which offered relevant and current professional development.

I Presented two workshops at the WSCA annual conference.

I attended the 4th Annual National Educator Conference focused on LGBTQIA Youth. I brought back information and resources which I have already shared with counselors in my district and plan to continue sharing throughout the coming year.

I have taken the lead on learning the role of school counselors in regards to Common Core State Standards. I drafted an action plan for WSCA to follow as we move forward and educate counselors around the state. I will present information with Mike Hubert from OSPI and continue in a leadership role on this effort. (This accomplishment also addresses Ends 2 as it will help other professionals recognize the value of school counselors in the implementation of Common Core State Standards.)

Ends 2: Advocacy & Recognition School counselors will be seen as valued members of the educational community at the same level as other educational professionals. Actions Taken: In an attempt to increase counselor presence in the media and the overall awareness of the counselor’s role, I sent a press release to all newspapers in the state during School Counselor recognition week.

I participated in the Day on The Hill to help educate our lawmakers about the role of the school counselor and advocate for fully funding education, including comprehensive counseling in every school.

Periodically throughout the year, I submitted articles to Insights Magazine. I focused on topics that school counselors face daily and offered encouragement and reminders for resources and support.

I collaborated on a team to create legislation for the increase in suicide prevention training for school counselors. ESHB 1336 passed in April, 2013.

I used the WSCA Scene and Facebook to reach our membership, although I was not very consistent with either of these.

Ends 3: Organizational Accountability & Service School counselors across Washington State will have access to an effective professional organization with the highest ethical and fiscal standards.

Actions Taken: I responded to all communication/emails with WSCA leaders and our membership to stay abreast of current events and address any issues that arose.

I contacted the awards and recognition committee chair periodically to offer support and encouragement. As it became apparent that our current committee chair planned to resign, I helped to facilitate an easy transition to a new Committee Chair.

I spoke about WSCA leadership whenever I was in the presence of other counselors. I encouraged others to get involved and invited them to WSCA functions such as “Day on the Hill.”

I attended the Regional state leaders workshop in California. State leaders from 13 Western states (and Texas) attended to share ideas, best practices, strategies for increased membership and ways to stay connected with our legislators. I will meet with this group of leaders again on June 28th, 2013 to continue sharing information to strengthen our organizations.

My final task as President will be to complete the first Executive Director evaluation for our organization. This will be complete in July. A process has been developed for future evaluations.