PENDLETON — In today’s educational landscape, school counselors are tasked with a myriad of responsibilities ranging from providing academic guidance and emotional support to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for students. In response to the evolving needs of counselors, the Oregon Trail Regional Educator Network created Counselor Connection, a support network specifically designed to nurture professional growth for this niche group of educators.

According to Emily Williams, data specialist with the InterMountain Education Service District, beginning in 2022, Dave Williams, director of school improvement for the IMESD, led an effort to create and facilitate in-person opportunities for counselors to share ideas and engage in professional learning specific to their realm. Counselors from all 21 Oregon Trail REN school districts were invited to attend three in-person gatherings — in December, February and May — during the 2022-23 school year.

These gatherings functioned as a professional learning community for the nearly 50 participants who traveled from all over the region to engage. Counselors shared a meal together and then broke into groups to discuss student anxiety, learning loss, attendance, mental health support, changing credit requirements, social-emotional learning curricula, challenging behaviors and more. Participants shared about what they are implementing in their schools to combat various challenges and debated each strategy or program’s effectiveness with their peers.

In the 2023-24 school year, the program expanded, the IMESD reported.

Williams hired two counselor leads to plan content for monthly virtual professional learning communities. Those leads, Tina Crowell from the Morrow County School District and Teresa Dowdy from the La Grande School District, thoughtfully plan content that is informed by their participants and is responsive to needs that arise for counselors at different times in the school year.

“Stakeholders know that teachers and administrators benefit from collaborating and learning alongside one another,” according to Crowell. “When professionals feel supported and valued in their field, performance is enhanced. I am grateful to be a part of something that will ultimately improve the practice of school counseling for our students.”

Often, Crowell and Dowdy also secure speakers to present to their PLC groups. For example, Beth Wigham, career and college readiness and school counseling systems specialist with the Oregon Department of Education, spoke to Dowdy’s grade 9-12 PLC group Monday, Feb. 26. Wigham addressed career connected learning with a specific focus on Senate Bill 3, which adds two half-credits to Oregon’s high school graduation requirements related to personal finance and post-high school skills.

“As the PLC leader,” Dowdy said, “my goal is to connect counselors to outside resources. Since (our speakers) directly work with those topics, their expertise is beneficial to all of us. I have loved the opportunity to network with counselors in our region.”

Incorporating content that is relevant and timely for counselors is a priority for Crowell and Dowdy as they work to plan learning spaces that feel meaningful for their peers.

While virtual PLCs create a space for frequent connection with peers, regional counselors also elevated the need for professional learning designed especially for their roles. To this end, the Regional Educator Network staff hosted several in-person professional learning events in 2022 and 2023 featuring Phillip Henson, a clinical psychologist and consultant for school districts across Oregon.

Henson also serves as the in-house clinical psychologist for the Hillsboro School District and is an expert on behavior, trauma and challenging behaviors. Post-pandemic, counselors have been called to respond to more challenging and extreme behaviors, and developing strategies for behavior management has become a more pressing need in schools.

In December 2023, Henson provided professional learning to Counselor Connection participants at an in-person gathering at Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Mission. The event drew 32 participants from 10 districts.

According to Crowell, “The piece that seems to be missing for most school counselors is this cohesive, structured learning and connection time. Counselor Connection has provided an opportunity for school counselors in our region to come together in the same way, offering training and collaboration that is specific to our role in schools.”

In the 2022-23 school year, Counselor Connection gatherings drew a total of 122 participants from 16 districts. For the 2023-24 school year, 86 participants have engaged in program offerings that have included one in-person gathering and monthly PLCs. There will be one additional in-person event this spring that will feature Henson.

Patti Thorne, a counselor at McKay Creek Elementary in Pendleton, is a regular participant in the programming.

“The Counselor Connection Program has been a great addition to my professional development,” she said. “Knowledgeable guest speakers who focus on areas of current concern have made these sessions well worth my time.”

While it is often difficult for counselors and specialists to step away from the demands of their buildings for an afternoon of learning, Thorne asserted, “I always (take) away something new I can use in my job.”

Through targeted professional development and collaboration with role-alike peers, Counselor Connection is serving up learning with purpose.