PENDLETON — The Oregon Trail Regional Educator Network hosted the final in-person training of the 2025-26 school year for its Counselor Connection professional development program.

According to the InterMountain Education Service District press release, the Regional Educator Network has hosted two in-person Counselor Connection events this school year, drawing 49 participants from 12 districts.

The most recent event, on March 19, attracted 27 participants from nine districts. In between the in-person gatherings, counselors meet online each month to discuss challenges and share ideas.

Counselors Tina Crowell of the Morrow County School District and Teresa Dowdy of the La Grande School District facilitated the monthly meetings.

The morning session focused on providing training to K-12 counselors in motivational interviewing, an evidence-based counseling style that emphasizes empathy, self-efficacy, reflection and open-ended questioning strategies to enhance an individual’s motivation to change behavior.  Lisa Ladendorff, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Northeast Oregon Network in La Grande, provided the training.

“Motivational interviewing is a very strengths-based and hopeful way of approaching change conversations with people of all ages, engaging students, parents and colleagues in discovering their own motivations and reasons for change,” Ladendorff said in the press release. “This highly skilled group of counselors worked to improve their ability to support all students and parents towards success in the school environment.”

In the afternoon, Will Henson, a clinical psychologist who supports school districts in working with educators of adolescents with behavioral challenges, covered topics ranging from the effects of technology on students to strategies for engaging reluctant learners.

According to the press release, counselors also expressed appreciation for a structured space to learn, receive training and share ideas, as there historically has been limited dedicated professional learning for counselors in the region.

K-12 counselors, behavior specialists and counseling support staff from 21 regional school districts in Union, Morrow, Baker and Umatilla counties can attend all Counselor Connection offerings, which will continue in the 2025-2026 school year.

For any counselors interested in joining the sessions or for more information about Counselor Connection or other InterMountain Education Service District/Regional Educator Network-hosted professional development, contact Emily Williams at emily.williams@imesd.k12.or.us.