School Counseling Professional Learning

Overview

School counselors are involved regularly in updating and sharing their professional knowledge and skills through ongoing professional learning. The purpose of the school counseling program calendar is to help school counselors, and other educators, with forward planning of Utah State Board of Education (USBE)-sponsored training opportunities and events. Dates outlined include professional learning opportunities, as well as important school counseling reporting deadlines.

Contacts

Bethany Marker
School Counseling Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7929 |Email

Millie Mortensen
Support Staff
Phone: (801) 538-7631 | Email

Updates and Essentials

The School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training is for school counselors and administrators, as outlined in the Assurances of the School Counseling Program Performance Review. This training is offered online through the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Canvas. It is recommended that the school counselor(s) and administrator(s) enroll and complete this training at the same time as a team. Taking this course simultaneously enhances collaboration, aligns school counseling programs with school improvement goals, and strengthens the partnership between school counselors and administrators.

For in-person Updates and Essentials trainings, LEA leadership may submit a request through the Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP).  

There will be two sections of the course offered throughout the year (Fall and Spring). Each semester is a repeat, so participants will only need to register for one of the two semesters offered.

  • Spring Semester: January - June 2025 (Coursework deadline is June 6, 2025)

Elementary Updates and Essentials

The Elementary School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training is for school counselors and administrators and is encouraged every six years as outlined in the Assurances of the School Counseling Program Performance Review.

To begin the training, you must self-enroll into the course by completing the following steps.

Enroll in Elementary Updates and Essentials

USBE Elementary Updates and Essentials Canvas Course available

The Elementary School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training is for all elementary school counselors and administrators (grades K-6) and is recommended every six years as outlined in the Components of the School Counseling Program Performance Review. It is recommended that the school counselor(s) and administrator(s) enroll and complete this training at the same time as a team. Taking this course simultaneously enhances collaboration, aligns school counseling programs with school improvement goals, and strengthens the partnership between school counselors and administrators.

Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Credit

At the completion of this course, participants will earn 0.5 USBE Professional Learning Credit. This course is designed for you and/or your team to work at your own pace. However, each individual must enroll in the course and complete the assignments to receive credit. The USBE School Counseling Specialist will review the assignments at the end of each semester and post credit. Participants who complete the final assignment and end of course evaluation will receive 0.5 USBE professional learning credit on their MIDAS transcript in January and June.

Successful completion of this course can also count for Component Two of the College and Career Readiness Certificate program.

Instructions to sign up for the Elementary course:
  1. If you already have a USBE Canvas account, go to Enroll in Elementary School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials 
  2. If you do not have a USBE Canvas account, go to Create a Canvas Account to register. 
  3. Click on I'm a Student. 
  4. Enter the Join Code XNFMPM 
  5. Complete the Student Sign Up Form. Check that you agree to the terms, and then click on Start Learning. 

Secondary Updates and Essentials

The Secondary School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training is for school counselors and administrators and is required every six years as outlined in the Assurances of the School Counseling Program Performance Review.

To begin the training, you must self-enroll into the course by completing the following steps.

Enroll in Secondary Updates and Essentials 

Secondary Updates and Essentials Canvas Course available

The School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials training is for school counselors and administrators, as outlined in the Components of the School Counseling Program Performance Review. This training is offered online through the USBE Canvas. It is recommended that the school counselor(s) and administrator(s) enroll and complete this training at the same time as a team. Taking this course simultaneously enhances collaboration, aligns school counseling programs with school improvement goals, and strengthens the partnership between school counselors and administrators.

Instructions to sign up for the Secondary course:
  1. If you already have a USBE Canvas account, go to Enroll in Secondary School Counseling Program Updates and Essentials 
  2. If you do not have a USBE Canvas account, go to Create a Canvas Account to register. 
  3. Click on I'm a Student. 
  4. Enter the Join Code 6D3KCK. 
  5. Complete the Student Sign Up Form. Check that you agree to the terms, and then click on Start Learning. 
  6. If you need assistance with signing up for the course, please contact Millie Mortensen.

Webinars

Elementary School Counseling Webinar Series

This webinar series is designed to support school counselors working in elementary schools. This series will cover the role of a school counselor, including appropriate and inappropriate duties of a school counselor, the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program and implementation guides, as well as school counselor collaboration.

The Role of Elementary School Counselors - Webinar #1 (YouTube)
This webinar will review the role of the school counselor as well as the principal/counselor agreement

Elementary School Counseling Implementation Guide - Webinar #2 (YouTube)
This webinar will cover the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program Model and the Elementary Implementation Guide.

Elementary School Counselor Collaboration - Webinar #3 (Coming soon)
This webinar will explore the importance of collaboration in implementing a successful school counseling program.

School Counseling in Charter Schools Webinar Series

This webinar series is designed to support school counselors working in charter schools. This series will cover the role of a school counselor, including appropriate and inappropriate duties of a school counselor, the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program review process and standards, as well as school counselor collaboration.

School Counseling in Charter Schools Series #1 (YouTube)
This webinar will review the role of the school counselor as well as direct/indirect services and appropriate school counseling duties.

School Counseling in Charter Schools #2 (YouTube)
This webinar will cover the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program Model, Program standards, and the accountability (formal review) process.

School Counseling in Charter Schools #3 (YouTube)
This webinar will explore the collaboration necessary for a successful school counseling program, including the creation of the Principal/Counselor Agreement.

Portrait of a Graduate and School Counseling Programs Webinar (YouTube)
This webinar will discuss Utah’s Portrait of a Graduate and how school counselors support the characteristics of a graduate through the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program.

College and Career Readiness Planning Process and Course Selection Webinar (YouTube)
This webinar will review the Board Rule and Utah State Code around planning for college and career readiness, and how to implement the Plan for College and Career Readiness process through the K-12 system. The differences between this process and course selection/registration will also be covered.

New School Counselor Webinar (YouTube)
Join the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) School Counseling Specialists for an introduction to the Utah College and Career Readiness School Counseling Program and the requirements for program accountability. This webinar is appropriate for practicum and intern students, as well as school counselors receiving their degree outside of Utah.

Administrator Introduction to School Counseling Webinar (YouTube)
Join the USBE School Counseling Specialists for an introduction to School Counseling Programs, including clarification of the role of school counselors and best practices for school counselor and administrator collaboration to reach school goals. This webinar is appropriate for administrators, including those schools considering adding school counselors to their staff.

Navigating Adult Education and Other Alternatives for 16-18-Year-Old Students on the Brink: Administrator Introduction to School Counseling Webinar (YouTube)
Meet with USBE’s Adult Education team to explore the crucial task of supporting students teetering on the edge of high school dropout. Do not miss this opportunity to enhance your counseling toolkit and make a lasting impression on the lives of students at the crossroads. Join us for:

  • An overview of adult education services offered in Utah
  • Samples of impactful questions and strategies to guide students through pivotal decisions
  • A discussion on flexible alternatives
  • Guidance on the process for enrolling school-age students when Adult Education is the best option