Professional Certification Program for School Counselors | Action Research Projects & Development

1. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONSHowcaseFor General information visit:http://www.pesb.wa.gov/educators/professional-certificate/education-staff-associate WSCA CONFERENCE—SEATTLE—2016

2. “It is exciting to be a part of this process” PRO CERT PRESENTERS Sonja Petersen, Pacific Cascade MS Marcie Koch, Connell HS PRO CERT PROGRAM PERSONNEL Diana Gruman, Western Washington University Patti Livingstone, Gonzaga University Becky Lamb, City University Stephanie Horracks, Seattle Pacific University Donna Holmes, Western Washington University

3. Need for Professional Development & Supervision • School Counselors are likened to a cactus—sustaining long periods without nourishment. • Clinical skills can be acquired quickly but they are the first to deteriorate. • Changes in demographics, school system regulations, and social problems require on-going professional development efforts. • Isolation and lack of sustained reflection can lead to SC burnout, unchecked bias, and poor ethical/legal decision-making.

4. Professional Certification August 2004: State Board of Education approved new Residency/Professional system Fall 2005: Residency Certificates first issued Fall 2012: New version of the SC Standards approved (6 Standards)—guides candidate Pro Cert process Residency Certificate Holders must ultimately hold either: NBPTS Certification in School Counseling Or Professional Certification

5. Timeline • Residency Certificate is issued undated • After 2 years in a WA state public or approved private school (contract for a third), the certificate is reissued and dated as a 5 year certificate. • So from the time you enter an ESA position, you have at least seven years to earn the professional cert. • In addition, WAC 181-79A-250 allows a two-year extension of the residency cert. if the holder is enrolled in a Pro Cert program, so the ultimate timeline could be as long as nine years.

6. Action Research Projects Sonja Petersen • Large Middle School • Issaquah, WA • Topic of Interest: Addressing Chronic Absenteeism Marcie Koch • Rural High School • Connell, WA • Topic of Interest: Advocating for Career Guidance

7. A Case Example: Swandella

8. “how do I START??” Three things to “get started” at any stage: 1) Review Pro Cert documents on the PESB website: http://www.pesb.wa.gov/educators/professional-certificate/education-staff-associate 2) Set up folders (paper and electronic) to save strong artifacts that show excellent SC practice. 3) Use the Professional Audit anytime to assess your progress across the 6 Standards: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5DU9nC26yA3UFpRbko2YVQ0d2c/edit

9. Pro Cert ProgramsSTEP 1 The Entry Seminar Provides an orientation to the process, allows you to analyze your strengths using the benchmarks; and supports you in developing a Professional Growth Plan. TASKS • Complete a Professional Audit • Draft your Professional Growth Plan (PGP) • Create your Professional Growth Team (PGT) • Draft the plan for the Action Research Project

10. The Professional Audit • The Professional Audit is a document used to help candidates determine their strengths and weaknesses based on the Washington Professional Level Standards. • After completing the Audit, candidates obtain feedback from a supervisor and a colleague to help them set goals for the Pro Cert year.

11. What is a Professional Growth Team? A PGT or “professional growth team“ is a team comprised of the Pro Cert candidate, a program administrator/designee, and a colleague/peer from the same professional role who agree to support the candidate’s growth during the Pro Cert process. They support the work, for example, by: • reviewing work samples, • reading drafts of writing, and • encouraging deep reflection on individual and program improvement.

12. Professional Growth Plan (PGP) Includes: • Areas of professional growth – Targeted Standards • Context description • Documentation of collaboration with PGT • Identification of new learning • Professional growth action plan with documentation of completed activities • Approval by members of the PGT

13. Pro Cert ProgramsSTEP 2 The Core Candidate gathers evidence on the benchmarks and develops capacity in the major areas of focus. They may implement new strategies and participate in a variety of professional development activities. They are supported by a program mentor and a cohort. Assignments: • Initiate PGP Work (supported by PGT) • Implement the Action Research Project • Compile the Portfolio (with analysis and reflection)

14. Pro Cert ProgramsSTEP 3 The Culminating Seminar— To conclude the program, the candidate completes an Action Research project, writes a narrative summary of the results and delivers a final presentation. Assignments: • Narrative Paper • Presentation of Results • Draft PGP using the Career-level Benchmarks

15. ENTRY SEMINARS - 2016 Gonzaga University – June 22-24, 2016 • Contact: Adriana M. Wissel, Ph.D.509.313.3851wissel@gonzaga.edu Western Washington University – July 25-29, 2016 http://www.wce.wwu.edu/Resources/Certification/ESA/ProCert/Index.shtml Contact: Diana.gruman@wwu.edu City University of Seattle- Contact: http://www.cityu.edu/programs/soe/procert-educational-staff-associate.aspx Seattle Pacific University- Land Class Aug. 13, 2016; Online Class Aug. 6th http://www.spu.edu/academics/school-of-education/professional-certification Contact: Megann Allen (206)281-3503 allenm3@spu.edu