November Student Development Spotlight: Angie Cox
Get to know Angie Cox, our November Student Development Spotlight! Angie works with 9th-12th graders at Luther High School and has been in education for over 15 years! Thank you, for all you do for your students and their families!
What is your favorite part of or the most rewarding aspect of your position?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a school counselor is witnessing the growth and development of the students. It's incredibly fulfilling to see them overcome challenges, build resilience, and achieve their goals.
Why is creating a comprehensive school counseling program important to you?
A comprehensive counseling program ensures that all students, regardless of background or circumstances, have access to the support and resources they need to be successful. Not all students need the same thing, but a comprehensive program will help identify and target what students actually require.
What quote inspires you?
For peace of mind, we need to resign as general manager of the universe by Larry Eisenberg. There is so, so, so much in life that is outside of our control.
What do you do when you need inspiration to tackle another day working on behalf of students?
I think back to all of the successes students have had over the years and that keeps me going.
What do you do to decompress and refuel for the next day?
I read every single day. It helps me sleep better and resets my mind.
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  Statewide School Counseling Needs Assessment Survey:
We Need Your Input!
Why Participate?
This survey is a crucial tool to identify the evolving needs of school counselors across Oklahoma. By sharing your experiences and challenges, you'll contribute to shaping statewide policies and resources that directly impact your work and your students.
How It Helps:
Your feedback will guide efforts to:
- Enhance student mental health, academic support, and career readiness programs.
- Provide targeted resources and professional development for school counselors.
- Strengthen advocacy for school counseling across the state.
Quick and Easy:
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete. Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard!
Oklahoma School Counseling Needs Assessment
Thank you for your commitment to student success and for helping drive positive change in school counseling!
New: Counselor & Administrator Collaboratives
In the fast-paced world of school counseling, working together as a community can be a game-changer. By joining a school counseling collaborative, you gain access to a network of like-minded professionals who share resources, ideas, and support. Collaboratives provide opportunities for professional growth, problem-solving, and staying current on best practices.
Being in community with others helps reduce the sense of isolation that often comes with the job, while fostering collaboration on important initiatives like academic success, mental health and wellness, and post-secondary planning. Together, we can strengthen our impact and ensure better outcomes for students. Let’s uplift each other and grow our profession—join a collaborative today!
School Counselor 101 Collaborative:
Are you just starting out in school counseling? Are you emergency or alternatively certified and eager to connect with a team of passionate counselors ready to support you? Join our School Counseling 101 cohort by filling out the form below!
And if you’re a seasoned counselor looking to give back and mentor someone new to the field, we want you too! Simply select “Mentor” as your cohort type on the form, and we'll match you with a mentee. Plus, you'll be part of our regular online and in-person meetups where we’ll share successes, tackle challenges, and explore the fascinating world of school counseling together!
Link to Join: School Counselor 101 Cohort Sign Up
District Director/Lead Counselor and/or Administrator Collaborative for School Counseling:
Are you leading a school counseling department and looking to connect with fellow directors? Are you an administrator wanting to better understand how to work with your school counselor to develop effective and comprehensive programs? Join our School Counseling Leadership Collaborative for regular meetups, idea-sharing, and problem-solving with other leaders. Gain fresh insights, explore best practices, and strengthen your district’s comprehensive school counseling programs through this supportive network of peers.
Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned director, this is your opportunity to grow and collaborate. Fill out the form below and join today!
Link to Join: School Counselor Leader Collaborative
If you have any questions about the cohorts or the forms, please reach out to Christi Sturgeon at christi.sturgeon@sde.ok.gov.
Coffee With Counselors
Join us for Coffee with Counselors, where we'll share new strategies, resources, and inspiration to help you thrive in your role. Mark your calendars. We can't wait to see you!
Register for Upcoming Dates:
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Only 2 Regional Trainings Remaining
We’re hitting the road with regional training sessions featuring the brand-new Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Implementation Guide! This is your chance to be one of the first to dive into this powerful resource and learn how to implement it effectively in your schools. With nine different locations across the state, we’re making it easier than ever for you to attend. Each session runs from 8:30-4:00, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore all the guide offers.
But that’s not all! Several members of our Student Development Team, including School-Based Mental Health Integration, Prevention & Intervention, and College & Career Readiness will also be there to walk you through the latest initiatives. This is your opportunity to enhance your counseling program, connect with fellow counselors, and have some fun while making a bigger impact on your students’ success.
Don’t miss out—let’s learn, grow, and make a difference together!
Training Dates & Locations
- November 6 - Tulsa Tech Riverside Campus/TULSA
- November 7 - Canadian Valley Technology Center/ EL RENO
Training Agenda All locations:
- 8:00 AM: Registration
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Implementation Guide Introduction
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM:
- Finish any Implementation Guide work
- School Counselor Role in Mental Health Protocols
- Prevention/Intervention Information
- College and Career and Work-Based Learning Updates
Student Mental Health Protocol
Just a reminder the Mental Health Protocol is due to be submitted every two years to Single Sign-On.
Within the Bully Prevention Policy Section of Single Sign-on districts will find a tab labeled Mental Health. This is where the mental health crisis protocol can be uploaded and certified.
*Must be Superintendent certified to be accepted.
>> Log on to Single Sign-On
https://sde.ok.gov/school-based-mental-health
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Changes to AP Course Requirements
Beginning with the 2024–2025 school year, all public high schools in Oklahoma shall make a minimum of four AP courses available to students (70 O.S. § 1210.704). To help with your planning, here are some resources:
If you need guidance and support on what to offer and how to begin, please contact Willette Guinhawa-Ho, Oklahoma's College Board partner, at wguinhawaho@collegeboard.org.or Sharon Morgan, Program Director for Standards and Learning at sharon.morgan@sde.ok.gov.
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Oklahoma FAFSA Data Portal
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Oklahoma College Assistance Program offer the Oklahoma FAFSA Data Portal (OK-FDP), a free online tool to help counselors, principals and mentors provide more targeted assistance to high school seniors as they complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Get started tracking FAFSA progress for your seniors today!
OK-FDP Flyer | OK-FDP Video
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Interested in Learning about Oklahoma’s Employment Projections?
No? Think again. Understanding the future of work can help you plan your school’s work-based learning programs by showcasing high-demand, high-wage careers to students. By analyzing the employability standards of occupations on the rise, your students will have a stronger understanding of the academics needed to prepare them for these careers. Workforce starts with K-12 and this data will fuel students for success!
Take a look at the interactive site here: Industry Employment Projections
Is Work-Based Learning getting you down?
Fear not! Our College and Career Readiness Specialist, Meredith Dennis, will be heading efforts to support schools with developing and connecting students to quality Work-Based Learning experiences.
Have questions for Meredith?
Connect with her HERE to schedule a meeting or send a message to Meredith.Dennis@sde.ok.gov .
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