VISION
To expand the image and influence of school counselors in the state of Texas.
MISSION
To empower school counselors with the knowledge and skills in order to promote professionalism and ethical practices by providing leadership, advocacy, and professional development.
LONE STAR STATE SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION
Greetings, Texas School Counselors and Supporters,
Welcome to a new school year! We are excited to share updates for the 2024-2025 year. The Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) is the Texas chartered division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
Our vision is to expand the image and influence of school counselors in our great state of Texas. Our mission is to empower school counselors with the knowledge and skills in order to promote professionalism and ethical practices by providing leadership, advocacy, and professional development. Please take a few minutes to review this update concerning our highlights, professional development, resources and more.
HIGHLIGHTS
• We have over 2200 members from all across Texas.
• Nine (9) successful professional conferences.
• This will mark the 3rd Annual Rural Route Virtual Conference that provides professional development opportunities for rural counselors.
• School Counselor of the Year, three of which were national finalists.
• Lone Star Awards
-Bronze, Silver, and Gold
-New Rising Star Award
• Dedicated Gala to recognize SCOY, Lone Star Awards, and Professional Recognitions.
• Creation of the Comprehensive Programs Chair position to the LSSSCA board who will work towards promoting the development of comprehensive programs according to the Texas Model and ASCA National Model.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The LSSSCA Annual Conference is an opportunity for school counselors to learn, grow and network with other school counselors across the state. This conference provides school counselors with new knowledge and resources that are trending in education. Please join us November 3-5, 2024, for our annual conference, Forging our Legacy, featuring keynote speakers, Dr. Russ Sabella and Laura Rizo.
MEMBERSHIP - ONLY $50 PER YEAR
Keep updated with Texas and National school counseling initiatives. Join committees to make an impact and do your part in advocating for the school profession.
RESOURCES
Texas School Counselor Evaluation (T-SCESS)
The T-SCESS was developed by LSSSCA and is aligned to the ASCA National Model. The document can be found on both the LSSSCA and Texas Education Agency
School Counseling Models
Side by side comparison of the Texas & ASCA Models
AWARDS & PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITIONS
Lone Star Awards
The Lone Star Awards system includes three levels (bronze, silver, gold) that recognizes outstanding comprehensive counseling programs that are designed and delivered based on school data. The goal of the LSA system is to prepare programs for the national ASCA RAMP award. To date LSSSCA has had 19 campuses go on to earn the RAMP award. The Rising Star Award is the newest addition, aimed at helping school counseling programs prepare for the bronze level.
School Counselor of the Year (SCOY)
Recognizing that professional school counselors devote their careers to serving as advocates for Texas students and ensuring student success, the Lone Star School Counselor of the Year (SCOY) Award honors exemplary school counselors in Texas. Through an extensive outreach process, school counselors, teachers, administrators, and others are encouraged to nominate school counselors who run exceptional comprehensive school counseling programs. To date, three LSSSCA SCOYs were named Top 5 Finalist at the national level for ASCA.
Professional Recognitions
We are recognizing the following professionals at our conference in November:
• Superintendent of the Year
• Campus Administrator of the Year
• Counseling Supervisor of the Year
We encourage you to share this information with all of your districts and school counselors. We look forward to connecting and building a stronger partnership with you!
Sincerely,
Dr. Myra Ortega
Dr. Myra Ortega President, LSSSCA
2024-2025 LSSSCA LEADERSHIP
Patricia Freberg Executive Director
LSSSCA BOARD
Dr. Myra Ortega President
Dr. Tiffany Gilmore President-Elect
Alexia McClennon College, Career, & Military Readiness VP
Jacquelyn Solis Secondary VP
Dr. LaShanda Lewis Director of Advocacy
Dr. Dana Jackson Past President
Jereese Johnson Counselor Educator VP
Jenny Patrick Small District VP
Ashley Wright Director of Communications & Technology
Dr. MaShundra Gray Director of Membership
Dyann Wilson Secretary & Parliamentarian
Melissa Ferguson Star Ambassador/Conference Co-Chair
Robin Fishman Ethics
Monica Dominguez Lone Star Awards
Dr. Michelle Rollins Elementary VP
Nwakaego Edoru Oriji Counselor Supervisor VP
Laura Zimmer Director of Leadership & Training
Nancy Garcia Smith Director of Membership
APPOINTED POSITIONS
Tracy Eubanks Treasurer
Alma Barrios Dominguez Emerging Leader
Tammi Mackbean Gala Awards Chair
Nicole Morales Publications & Regional Representative
REPRESENTATIVES
Kelly Mountjoy 2023-24 Texas School Counselor of the Year
Dr. Sylvia Lopez Conference
Brittany Hammond Emerging Leader (Rural)
Tiffany Rhodriquez Legacy Circle Chair
Cristina Nunez School Counselor of the Year Chair
Stephanie Learner Texas Education Agency (TEA)
www.lonestarschoolcounselor.org
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