Career and Technical Education Summer Program

Registration is open for the 2019 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Summer Program. The conference will be July 23-26 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.

Based on a first-come, first-served basis, school counselors who register will get reimbursed. The Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition will reimburse the districts (please do not pay as individuals) for counselors who are eligible for this free registration. Visit the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education's website to register. (Note: There is currently a late fee that is not reimbursable.)

The conference provides outstanding professional development opportunities for all career and technical education disciplines, with program updates and content-specific sessions. There also is specific programming designed for school administrators and school counselors. Among the sessions are representatives from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority talking about scholarships and a representative from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System speaking about dual credit opportunities.

The CTE Summer Program is organized by the Kentucky Association for Career and Technical Education, with planning assistance from the Office of Career and Technical Education and Student Transition and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Laymon Hicks will deliver the keynote address at the opening session July 24. His doctoral research focused on building relationships, and he will use a high-energy, interactive, tell-it-like-it-is style to entertain, educate and motivate.

For more information, email KACTE Coordinator Kris Stone or call him at (502) 223-1823.

Ideas to Consider - Needs Assessments

North Hardin High School (Hardin County) Counseling Office

The counselors at North Hardin High School are, top, from left, Alan Campbell, Teri Lynn Dandy; front row, Katrina Johnson, Sandy Skeeters (records clerk) and Michelle Russell.

By Katrina Johnson

At North Hardin High School we have each student complete a Google form called the "Name and Need Survey." We ask students to name three people in the school building whom they are comfortable going to if they need someone. That data is then sorted and emailed to teachers so they are aware of who listed them. We then look at the students who did not list anyone and focus on building relationships with those students. 

July 1, 2019

Kentucky School Counseling Standards of Preparation

The Education Professional Standards Board approved the first read of the new Kentucky School Counseling Standards for Preparation at its June 17 meeting.

These standards will help align graduate programs for school counseling on how to prepare future school counselors to do the tasks you do on a daily basis. The standards focus on social and emotional learning, as well as trauma-informed practices. Exciting things are happening on behalf of school counselors in our state!

New Minimum High School Graduation Requirements Webcast

Check out this webcast  to stay in the loop about the new minimum high school graduation requirements.

Bright Kentucky

Bright Kentucky, to be coordinated by the Leadership Kentucky Foundation Inc., is designed to build the capacity of next-generation leaders (average age 20 to 40) in the Appalachian region of Kentucky to innovate, collaborate and advance community and economic development.

Bright Kentucky will engage bright, entrepreneurial minds from all sectors and regions to offer nonpartisan, ethical leadership training, expanded networks and mentors designed especially for residents of the 54 Kentucky counties of the Appalachian Regional Commission.

A major focal point of the program will be to help participants fully understand local economic context and to build robust skill sets in communication, collaboration, consensus building, visioning and community engagement. Participants will gain the skills necessary to think long-term and strategically to build upon the strengths of their communities and lead the region to a more prosperous future.

How to Apply:

Interested in being a program participant? Visit Leadership Kentucky's website for the online application. The application deadline is June 28.

As mental health professionals, we learn about quite a bit of tragedy throughout the year. It doesn't help when we read about more tragedy on social media or television. Check out the Good News Network in order to brighten your day and to learn about the positive things happening in our society.

This summer, I hope you get to spend time with the people you hold dear and rest. You deserve it!