The Virginia School Counselor Association (https://www.vsca.org/) has been in existence for over 60 years, as a state-level organization of the American School Counselor Association. Its mission includes serving VA school counselors, as well as K-12 students and schools. This organization is deeply committed to supporting and expanding culturally affirming practices, as well as equitable access, and opportunities for ALL students.
Each year, the VSCA hosts a vibrant and lively conference, full of pre-service and practicing school counselors, as well as district-leaders and school counselor educators. These school counselors from across the state gather to gain knowledge on timely information through attending conference sessions; sharing ideas; discussing state advocacy needs; building community; and networking for prospective jobs.
The October 2024 VSCA conference in Hampton followed the years before it- as a well attended, high energy gathering. New to this year: members of our most recent ODU School Counseling Capstone class (COUN 679; taught by Dr Emily Goodman-Scott) presented together, along with several of our doctoral students. Their session was titled “VSCA Flash”- and students presented timely topics in school counseling, “in a Flash.” Mainly, sharing concrete strategies in five minutes or less. Topic included: strategies for supporting Black girls; technology tools; strategies for serving student athletes; suicide prevention; and so much more.
We also had a several members of our ODU Monarchs present separately; such as on the topics of: serving LGBTQ+ youth; antiracism; a MTSS lens for serving military-connected youth; calming centers; etc.
Finally, we had one of the biggest ODU School Counseling Monarch turn-outs of recent times: approximately 50 members of our community were there, many in their ODU blue! Check out that group picture, with faculty Drs Smith-Durkin and Goodman-Scott.
Overall, it was a fantastic 2024 VSCA conference and our first (of hopefully many!) VSCA Flashes. Well done, ODU school counseling!
