JUNE - JULY INSTITUTES

Required Preparation for

Essential Skills for International School Counselors

28 June - 2 July 2023
Rome

Welcome to the 2023 Essential Skills for International School Counselors Course!

During this week, we'll explore the many facets of an international school counselor's role. We'll dive into personal and professional competencies and skills essential for international school counselors and the programs we deliver. We'll cover a broad range of topics, exploring and sharing a variety of resources along the way. At the end of this week, participants will walk away with tools, connections, and a greater understanding of the impact an international school counselor can have in an international school setting.

Here are a few important preparatory tasks to ensure a meaningful and successful course experience for all:

PREPARE

1. Introductions - Complete a one minute video here on Flipgrid introducing yourself to our group. Help us get to know you better  by sharing “Two Truths and an Exaggeration.” Comment on at least two of your peers’ videos by guessing which is the exaggeration! We will share stories when we meet.

2. Top Priority – Fill out the Introduction survey to Essential Skills for the International School Counselors.  Your completed form is an essential piece of our planning puzzle!

3. Gather Materials. Have access, if possible,  to the following materials electronically, to share with others during the course:

  • Job description for your school’s Counseling (or pastoral) position

  • Samples of articles, announcements, notices/handouts generated by the Counseling Office, transitions programs, admissions, advisory, etc.

  • Referral process - any forms or guidelines you have for this process

  • Booklets, parent letters, handouts, etc. generated by the Counseling Office

  • Transition materials from your school - for parents, students and teachers

  • Any information/format for meetings you have about students. (We call them Student Study Team ‘SST’ Meetings)

  • Intake materials used for new students and their parents

4. Case Studies. Bring ideas for one or more case study or vignette dealing with a student-centered issue/concern you have confronted or experienced during your career and would like feedback on. This issue may also include parents or colleagues. You will have the opportunity to discuss this during the course. Information to consider may include: 

  • a description of the presenting concern

  • resources you accessed in responding to the case

  • a description of the  response/strategies implemented

  • a summary of how the situation currently stands

  • questions you may like the group to consider

5. Read the article and watch the video below (also available in the Prep Assignment folder in Schoology). Be prepared to share your own experiences in relation to the role of the International School Counselor when we meet:

6. Last, but by no means least as you read through Chapter 14 of ‘Third Culture Kids’ by David Pollock & Ruth Van Reken, found in Schoology in the Prep folder, please do so with the following lens/reflection in mind;

  1. Which student or parent or colleague transitioned into your school/division well and what factors contributed to this?

  2. Which student or parent or colleague transitioned into your school/division poorly and what factors contributed to this?

7. Ensure you have Access to these Technology Tools:

  • A laptop with a video camera, the ability to read PDFs and that can access the internet. A phone or tablet will not be sufficient. Ensure you have all necessary passwords and permissions (including the ability to download programs/apps) to use the laptop if you are using a school laptop.

  • A set of earphones that you can use with your laptop. 

  • Your school drives/platforms that will allow you to access any team/school planning documents.

  • Schoology (see information below)

  • Flipgrid (you will need to have a Google account or Microsoft account)

  • Padlet (no account needed- an access code will be provided)

  • Access to Google is preferable

BY 1 JUNE 2023

JOIN SCHOOLOGY  To access all course materials, you will need to sign up (free) for our Learning Management System, Schoology. For the purpose of this course, please sign up as a student if creating a new account. All necessary course materials will be available about 10 days prior to the start date of your course.

Use the access code for your session below to join your course in Schoology using the "courses" dropdown at the top of the landing page once you login:

Access Code: VX8V-WMT7-FN2CG

If you encounter any difficulties in accessing the course, please contact registrations@theptc.org.

 

We can’t wait to get started on this with you!

All the best,

Steve Ayling and Shannon Leoni