School Counselor Strategies to Bring to Your Next IEP or 504 Meeting with Catherine Whitcher

Sometimes, the things we have to do as high school counselors aren't glamorous, exciting, or thrilling. However, that doesn't mean they're not important or essential for running our counseling programs. One of those things is analyzing data. It's likely that you've collected data throughout the school year, but as the end of the year approaches, you're probably thinking, what do I do with this? In today's episode, I'm sharing how analyzing your end-of-the-year data shows the impact you made this year. I've said this many times before, but I'll say it again because I truly believe it; one way to measure our effectiveness as a high school counselor is by this phrase: are students different because of what I'm doing here? It's such a powerful phrase, and the best way to visually see our impact is through data. Trust me, I understand that numbers and evaluation of your program can be intimidating, which is why I've come up with ideas on places you can start to pull your end-of-the-year data and present it in ways that will benefit your program. Taking the time to analyze your end-of-the-year data not only shows you how to make your counseling program better with more ways to help students, but it also reminds you of the impact you've made this school year. Whether you're looking at your goals from the year, groups you've implemented, or whatever personal dreams you have for your program, data shows you the answers you need to keep going or make some changes. So be sure to add end-of-the-year data to your to-do list before summer so you can make the appropriate changes to your program for next year! Resources Mentioned:Free Podcast Playlist: New Counselor PlaylistFreebie: Data Collection Ideas GuideBlog: 4 Valuable Places to Share Your Compelling School Counseling DataBlog: Advance Your High School Counseling Program with Social Media: 4 Best PracticesBlog: 3 Unassuming Ways to Incorporate Perception Data Into Your High School Counseling ProgramLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job InterviewsVisit my TpT storeSend me a DM on Instagram: @counselorcliqueFollow me on FacebookSend me an email: [email protected] the Clique CollaborativeFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode123

I’m shocked to say it, but today’s topic is a first for the podcast! It’s not something that we’re immersed in our day-to-day routine, but it’s so important in supporting student needs that, as high school counselors, we should be knowledgeable about it. That’s right, I’m talking about IEPs and 504s. Since I’m not an expert in this subject, I wanted to bring on a guest who has decades of experience and can help provide us with the information we need when attending IEP and 504 meetings. Today’s guest, Catherine Whitcher, has a passion for solving special education struggles. She has earned multiple Special Education teaching certifications but left the classroom life behind to become a collaborative resource for parents and teachers at the IEP table. Catherine’s an expert on the subject and is ready to share her advice and tips with us today.In today’s episode, Catherine is sharing some IEP and 504 meeting strategies and the role of a high school counselor during these meetings. With her experience, she provides helpful advice on how to be an advocate for the child, ways to build relationships with the students and their families, and how to be a “solution finder” instead of adding to the problem. Throughout our conversation, you will hear Catherine’s energy and passion come to light and take away productive and effective ways to be part of an IEP or 504 meeting in the future. Resources Mentioned:Free Podcast Playlist: New Counselor PlaylistLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job InterviewsVisit my TpT storeSend me a DM on Instagram: @counselorcliqueFollow me on FacebookSend me an email: [email protected] the Clique CollaborativeFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode122

I’ve said it before, but this time of year is one of the most stressful with graduation, wrapping up the school year, and so many other things that consume your school day. That’s why I wanted to take a moment and reflect on your year and, more importantly, the success you’ve had throughout the school year. To help celebrate, seven other high school counselors are sharing their counselor wins with our community. As each high school counselor shared their counselor wins, I was amazed by the number of wonderful things happening in counseling programs. After listening to each counselor, they all hit on the different aspects of high school counseling, such as data, interns, students, advocating for your role, and new programs or groups. We do so much as high school counselors that we often don’t realize or take the time to reflect on the positive and successful things happening in our program or with our students. By having other high school counselors share their counselor wins, I hope you, too, will hear something that sparks an idea that would be celebratory in your program. Resources Mentioned:Resource: High School Counseling Data Collection Ideas GuideResource: Leadership High School Counseling Small GroupPodcast: Episode 101, Navigating Adult Friendships in The Workplace with Blake BlankenbeclerLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job InterviewsVisit my TpT storeSend me a DM on Instagram: @counselorcliqueFollow me on FacebookSend me an email: [email protected] The Clique CollaborativeFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode121

As graduation approaches, you’re probably doing all the last-minute details of finalizing the details of the event, ordering cap and gowns, designing the program, and about a million other tasks. And while you’ve thought of every detail, you probably didn’t consider or want to think about the seniors not graduating. While it’s an unfortunate and depressing thought, it’s the reality that a lot of counselors have to face during this time of year. So, if you’re in this situation right now, what do you do? Even though you might have some seniors not graduating, that doesn’t mean your job is done and there’s nothing left for them to do. Instead, I’m sharing some steps you can start taking now with these seniors to ensure that they still have a future and next steps to look forward to. Along with these steps, I provide you with a few logistics you need to work through and what conversations should have already happened and then need to happen moving forward. If you ask me, this time of year is the most stressful part of the job! You feel like the graduation rate and seniors not graduating all depend on you. But I’m also here to tell you to remove that thought from your mind. You can only help and support a student so much before you rely on them to do the work. So, if it looks like you’re going to have a senior not graduate, I am going to help you accept that and show you how to keep taking steps forward despite them not getting their diploma with the rest of their class. Resources Mentioned:Resource: Senior School Counseling BundleResource: Job Interview 3 Day Video Challenge Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job InterviewsVisit my TpT storeSend me a DM on Instagram: @counselorcliqueFollow me on FacebookSend me an email: [email protected] the Clique CollaborativeFull show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode120

We’ve officially entered the last quarter of the school year, which means graduation for seniors is just around the corner. However, we all know some students who are at risk and in jeopardy of not getting their diplomas. As high school counselors, it’s part of our job to help those at-risk students graduate. So, I’m sharing ways you can specifically support them during this time.Being a high school counselor, you probably already have a relationship with these at-risk students and have supported them throughout their high school years. However, with graduation approaching, that relationship becomes even more important. Knowing the student, the ones close to them, what motivates them, and their current scenario and situation, along with a few other things, is necessary to help them achieve this goal.We tend to put a weight on ourselves to make these at-risk students successful and graduate, but we can’t do everything for them. Instead, we provide them with the tools, resources, and support to walk across the stage and have a sense of direction once they graduate. So, if you have a few students in mind who are at risk of not graduating, this episode is for you!&nbsp;Resources Mentioned:Free Podcast Playlist:&nbsp;Classroom Lessons PlaylistResource:&nbsp;High School Counseling Graduation Credit Check SpreadsheetResource:&nbsp;Life After High School Classroom LessonResource:&nbsp;Goal Setting Classroom LessonBlog Post:&nbsp;Remember These 3 Fundamentals When Engaging Failing StudentsPodcast:&nbsp;Episode 47, 3 Ways to Help Your Failing Students Find SuccessPodcast:&nbsp;Episode 63, Strategies to Employ When You Have Frequent Flyer StudentsLeave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple PodcastsConnect with Lauren:Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job InterviewsVisit my TpT storeSend me a DM on Instagram:&nbsp;@counselorcliqueFollow me on FacebookSend me an email: [email protected]<a href="http://www.cliquecollab.com/"

As high school counselors, doing classroom lessons is part of the job and helps us stay connected to students and their needs. However, most of our lessons tend to focus on the essentials of scholarship programs, financial aid literacy, reading transcripts, and so much more academically. Instead, I want to give you some counseling classroom lesson ideas that involve social-emotional learning.  In order to have a proactive counseling program, we need to provide and teach our students the necessary skills they need to be successful. I’m sharing six counseling classroom lesson ideas that do just that, along with sample activities and how each lesson can look in the classroom. Since we can’t give lessons every day to the same students, we need to make sure what we’re presenting is engaging so students remember and use the skills we taught them.  If you’re looking for fresh and new but also important and informative counseling classroom lesson ideas, I’ve got you covered! By presenting my six favorite lessons, you will engage your students while also giving them skills to practice and master as independent adults.  Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode118 Resources Mentioned: Resource: Free Classroom Lesson Roadmap Free Podcast Playlist: Classroom Lessons Playlist Resource: Goal Setting and Soft Skills Classroom Lesson Resource: Communicating Feelings and Interacting with Others Classroom Lesson Resource: Healthy Relationships Classroom Lesson Resource: Growth Mindset Classroom Lesson Resource: Coping Skills Classroom Lesson Resource: Stress on the Brain and Body Classroom Lesson Resource: Classroom Lesson Bundle (20% off) <a href=...

Have you been wanting to start classroom lessons in your high school counseling program but haven’t taken the plunge yet? You’re in the right place because I have some motivating tips for you that will help you take action on classroom lessons. Specifically, I have six steps that you can follow. If you’re feeling like you’ll be creating more work for yourself if you start classroom lessons, hear me out. More classroom lessons can lead to more intentional small groups, individual counseling sessions, or just more direct time with students! It solves the challenge of not having enough face time with our students and extends the impact of our program all at once. Don’t forget to submit your voice note to share something good that is happening in your career, in your school counseling program, or for your students. It can be big or small! I want to celebrate you and feature your win in episode 121 of High School Counseling Conversations. Resources Mentioned: Help Us Celebrate YOU in Episode 121 by Leaving Your Voice Note Resource: Free Classroom Lesson Roadmap Resource: Classroom Lessons Playlist (free!) Blog Post: 6 Ways to Overcome Obstacles and Execute Effective Counselor Classroom Lessons Podcast: Episode 83, How to Use Needs Assessments Strategically This Year in Your High School Counseling Program Podcast: Episode 14, 3 Ways to Build Your Confidence with High School Counseling Classroom Lessons Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts Connect with Lauren: Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews Visit my TpT store Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique Follow me on Facebook Send me an email: [email protected] Join the Clique Collaborative Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode117 

Are you interested in hosting a career fair at your high school and wondering where to begin? That's similar to the position I was in as a school counselor. There hadn't been a career fair at my school in many years, but I decided to pitch the idea to help with career readiness efforts for students. Career fairs can be an incredible way to reach many students at once and open doors and career opportunities for them. They can also tremendously impact your students' lives, expose them to careers they may never know about, and teach them about people already in those careers. In this episode, I'm sharing how you can start hosting career fairs in your high school, the most critical steps to take to set your event up for success, how to define the success of the career fair, how to make sure the event is interactive for the students and speakers and the pros and cons of hosting an in-person vs. virtual event. Resources Mentioned: Submit Your Celebrations for This Year! Free Podcast Playlist: Classroom Lessons Playlist Blog: 3 Steps to Hosting an Effective Virtual Career Fair Free Resource: Virtual Career Fair Templates Free Resource: 10 Low Impact Ideas for Creating High Impact Career Services PDF Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts Connect with Lauren: Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews Visit my TpT store Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique Follow me on Facebook Send me an email: [email protected] Join the Clique Collaborative Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode116  

As high school counselors, we are experts at discussing mental health, relationships, self-regulation, and post-secondary planning. But when it comes to school counselor finances, it can feel uncomfortable and confusing! Whether you want to pay off debt, save, or invest, this conversation will empower you regarding your finances.   Today's guest, Jeremy Schneider, is a successful entrepreneur and personal finance expert. After starting an internet company in college, selling it at 34 for over $5 million, and retiring at 36. Jeremy has dedicated his life to teaching personal finance. He's here to share his knowledge about finances with us today.   In today's episode, Jeremy shares some of the most common myths around finances, the most important key to building wealth on a fixed income, tips to practically move the needle with savings, the two rules for building wealth and where to go to learn more about investing.   Resources Mentioned: Resource: Jeremy's Personal Finance Education Private Podcast: Small Group Counseling Playlist Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts Connect with Lauren: Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews Visit my TpT store Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique Follow me on Facebook Send me an email: [email protected] Join the Clique Collaborative Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode115

You're ready to start using small groups in your high school, but you need to be able to measure their effectiveness and have something tangible to show for your endeavors. The key to success is to plan to collect and share small group data from the start.   If you have resistance from admins or fellow high school counselors, data can be highly compelling to show the value of utilizing small groups. The data you collect can shape their perspective, proving that small groups are worth the effort. It's just a matter of being consistent with your data collection plan and sharing those results with your colleagues.   In this episode, I'm sharing how to collect small group data effectively, how to share the data collected to show its value to your fellow staff, the different types of data you can gather, the value of collecting perception data, and how to get teachers' involvement in the process.   Resources Mentioned: Resource: High School Counseling Data Collection Ideas Guide Resource: Small Group Data Spreadsheet Book: Making Data Work by Young and Kaffenberger Podcast: Episode 42, How to Use Data in Your High School Counseling Program Without Overthinking It Private Podcast: Small Group Counseling Playlist Leave your review for School Counseling Conversations on Apple Podcasts   Connect with Lauren: Sign up for the free, 3-day prep for High School Counseling Job Interviews Visit my TpT store Send me a DM on Instagram: @counselorclique Follow me on Facebook Send me an email: [email protected] Join the Clique Collaborative Full show notes on website: https://counselorclique.com/episode114