Emerging Leaders The application for the Emerging Leaders Program will open on March 15, 2024 and close on April 15, 2024. To apply, you must be a PSSCA member and login to the "Members Only" section of the website and then click on "Emerging Leaders Program" to access the application. For more information, contact Dr. Loren Dittmar at dr.lorendittmar@gmail.com.
Every student deserves a school counselor. Join us by advocating for the school counseling profession during National School Counseling Week. Send a personal message to our house and state representatives in South Carolina explaining why this job is so essential to our state. Please click here to get started.
February PSSCA RAMP/Program Support Office Hours The next PSSCA RAMP/Program Support Office Hours is taking place on Tuesday, February 6 from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. In addition to helping with the RAMP application, these Office Hours Sessions can also assist school counselors in comprehensive school counseling programming. If you need support in building, maintaining, or refining your school counseling program, you can join during the November Office Hours session to get your questions answered. We look forward to seeing you there!
PSSCA RAMP and Program Support Office Hours Registration
Palmetto State School Counselor Association Awards The Palmetto State School Counselor Association is pleased to announce several awards presented during our 2024 Annual Conference in the beautiful Hilton Head, South Carolina. Our Theme was “Charting the Course”. High school seniors from around the state of South Carolina wrote an essay about a school counselor who has made a difference in their lives. Congratulations PSSCA scholarship recipients: Jennifer Boone, River Bluff High School plans to attend Furman University Graceanne Crumpton, Lexington High School plans to attend Clemson University Madison Morant, Ridge View High School plans to attend Winthrop University Madison Porter, Richland One Middle College plans to attend Newberry Collge or Charleston Southern University Maria Zaragoza, Midland Valley High School plans to attend Clemson University Our school counselors are doing some amazing things, and this is evident by the mini-grant applications received. There are a lot of great ideas and plans in the school counseling departments around the state. Congratulations to Jessica Thomas of Midland Valley High School, mini-grant recipient to fund her “Mustangs of Manor”. Congratulations to this year’s PSSCA Advocate of the Year, is an assistant principal at North Augusta High School, Kristin Risher. She is a true advocate for school counselors and students. We recognized School Counselors who are always learning and trying to broaden their scope as a School Counselor. These counselors are leaders in and out of the school and create an environment that fosters learning, growth, and collaboration. a beacon of support, guidance, and inspiration. These School Counselors have been recognized as compassionate leaders who positively impact the students and community with their counseling programs that focus on the mental health and wellbeing of the students. These counselors know the importance of community and include stakeholders in the school counseling program and run a counseling program that is intentional in meeting the needs of the children. They are lifelong learners and are always willing to go the extra mile for students, parents, school counselors, and colleagues. PSSCA’s High School Counselor of the Year is Anya Stewart, North Augusta High School, Aiken County Public School District. PSSCA’s Middle School Counselor of the Year is Marlee S. Calloway, North Augusta Middle School, Aiken County Public School District. PSSCA’s Elementary and STATE School Counselor of the Year is Courtney Pfeiffer, East North Street Academy, Greenville County Schools. Courtney will represent South Carolina at the national level with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in 2025.
Membership Promotion Dear School Counselors, As the Executive Director of the Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA), I would like to invite you to join or re-join our vibrant and dynamic association in February. PSSCA assists counselors in delivering more effective services by providing the means and information to enhance their skills, by supporting self-evaluation, and by conducting research to measure counselor effectiveness and professional development programs and activities help maintain high standards and encourage quality performance. PSSCA advocates for school counselors at the state and national levels through strong public relations and government relations programs and activities. PSSCA members work in all educational settings from elementary through postsecondary education.
During the months of February and March you will be able to join or renew your PSSCA membership, receive a 10% discount (Use Promo Code: PSSCASEP25), and your membership will not expire until September 30, 2025! During the months of February and March you will be able to join or renew your PSSCA membership, receive a 10% discount (Use Promo Code: PSSCASEP25), and your membership will not expire until September 30, 2025! Member benefits include: • Professional Development • Mini Grant Opportunities • Scholarship Opportunities • Publications such as The Counselor Connection • Special Member-Only rates for Conference • Webinars • A Career Center • An Online Community of Peers
And Much, Much More! To renew your membership, log-in to your account on the PSSCA website . Once logged in, view your Member Portal, under Membership Details, click Edit Membership Profile, scroll down to RENEW. Remember to use the promo code PSSCASEP25. If you need to change your member type or have any questions, please email pssca.sc@gmail.com. I encourage you to become part of the PSSCA community by becoming a member of the association today!
Dr. LaWanda Felder PSSCA Executive Director
More Information Coming Soon!