MSCA Conference 2012 - Providing Apps for Life!

While I always LOVE going to a professional development conference, I always come back with my brain swimming full of ideas that I want to implement and at times, that can be very overwhelming. This year at the MSCA Conference, we were privileged enough to bring in some of the best speakers in the country for our Saturday Institute and keynotes. Julia Taylor, Todd Whitaker, and Curt Steinhorst rounded out our speakers. I took something valuable away from each person.

I also had the honor of spending time with and meeting both Julia Taylor and Julia Cook. These are both incredible ladies who do amazing things to help advance the profession of counseling. I believe our MSCA Conference this year was the most relevant that I've ever attended.

One of the highlights of the conference was the opportunity to present with a colleague Tracy Morris. Our presentation was titled "Pinterest, Prezis, and More!" We quickly highlighted how the following technology tools can enhance any guidance program. Just taking one of these tools and implementing it into your counseling program can drastically change and give your program some "sparkle!"

Here is the link to our presentation!


Pinterest, Prezis, and More - by Tracy Morris and Tosha Todd


Here are links to the keynotes and other speakers.

Julia V. Taylor


Julia Cook Online

Todd Whitaker

Curt Steinhorst - Promentum Group

 Here's a picture of our crowd during our presentation.    Obviously, counselors in MO are hungry for technology! We had 200 handouts and ran out and there were about 90 people sitting on the floor!

 Here's a picture of the MSCA President, Jennifer Grossman and Julia Taylor.

 Here is a picture of me posing with Julia Cook, her puppies, and one of her amazing books in our exhibit hall.

Julia V. Taylor

Julia Cook Online

Todd Whitaker

Curt Steinhorst - Promentum Group

Until next time!

Tosha

Integrating Play into School Counseling

I thought I would post a few pictures of my office. I have worked really hard to integrate play therapy into all types of counseling.
Here are pictures of what activities are available to students when they come to my office.
Sometimes my play counseling is non- directive and other times it is directive depending on the situation.
Legos, Playdough, sand tray, and the art station seem to be the most popular this year!

Inaugural Blog Post!

Well,

I never thought I'd be a blogger, but, here I am...

I co-presented at the GKCSCA Fall Meeting today. The title of our presentation was "Techy Tips for Counselors!" I've never considered myself technology savvy. However, I have recently become quite enthralled with all of the tech tools that are out there. I have learned tons over the last few months, mostly by exploring the web and the tools that are out there to help make my guidance program the best it can be. I have gathered wonderful lessons and ideas from experienced and veteran bloggers that I follow regularly. I have included their blogs on my blog so you can check them out and learn from them as well.

I do not know exactly what direction this blog will take but my hope is that I can share useful information with you to help make your school counseling program just a little better.

Stay tuned for my next post!

Tosha