Nebraska School Counselor Association, NSCA

Spring 2010

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UPDATES:
Outstanding School Counselor of the Year Recognized | 2009 School Counselor Academy | New Way to Join NSCA | NSCA Looking for Legislative Liasons

NSCA School Counselor of the Year Recognized

NSCA President, Tracy Post, (left) and 2009 School Counselor of the Year, Kelly Verkamp, (right)

Kelly Verkamp was recognized as the 2009 NSCA School Counselor of the Year at the NSCA School Counselor Academy on Oct 16th. Kelly has been a secondary school counselor at Waverly High School for eight years. Prior to that she was at Platteview High School. Kelly was selected based on her many accomplishments for her students at Waverly. Those accomplishments include implementing Vocational Notebooks with academic planning and career guidance, organizing the Internal Response/Safety Teams, and leading the District Response Team. Kelly’s principal states, “her innovation and dedication has enabled her to make a greater impact on the students that need it most.” Jason Boitnott, a fellow counselor at Waverly, said, “Kelly is a thorough, conscientious difference-maker in this world.” Waverly high school is clearly very fortunate to have Kelly on staff. There is little doubt that the school counseling profession in Nebraska is better because of Kelly as well. Congratulations Kelly!

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2009 School Counselor Academy is Huge Success

The 2009 NSCA School Counselor Academy was held on October 15th and 16th at Union College in Lincoln. Despite difficult economic times and tightened school budgets, the academy had a record high number of attendees, record number of exhibitors, and was once again a financial windfall for NSCA. Attendees had the opportunity to hear keynote speakers and numerous breakout presenters from all across the country. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with professional school counselors from across the state. NSCA also recognized the 2009 School Counselor of the Year, Kelly Verkamp, and the awards luncheon on the 16th. Click here to see photos from the 2009 School Counselor Academy.

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New Way to Join NSCA

The NSCA board is excited to announce that Nebraska Professional School Counselors have a new option of how to join NSCA. School counselors can now join NSCA for just $20 when they join the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). To join NSCA and ASCA at the same time, simply visit the ASCA Website. The $20 cost to join NSCA through ASCA represents a 50% discount on your NSCA dues. People can still join NSCA directly through NSCA by submitting an NSCA Membership Application along with a $40 payment.

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NSCA Seeking Legislative Liason

NSCA is seeking at least one professional school counselor from each of Nebraska’s Legislative Districts to volunteer to be a legislative liaison to their state senator. The role of these liaisons would be to first and foremost build a positive relationship with the senator and secondly contact the senator when NSCA notifies them of a legislative initiative that impacts the profession and/or children. Many states have had great success in getting important legislation passed that effects the profession such as mandating professional school counselors in all schools using this type of grass roots effort. Having pre-established relationships with key stakeholders like legislators is also key to blocking threats to profession that are happening in some states. It is much better to be proactive than reactive. If you already have a relationship with a state senator or are willing to work on developing one, please contact Doug Hauserman, NSCA Government Relations Chair. You just need to be wiling to build the relationship. NSCA will guide you through best practices and provide opportunities for you to build the relationship.

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