The Importance of Continuing Professional Development
Learning is
essential to the healthy and active mind and soul. It is learning—through life
experiences and academic pursuits—that allows us to progress in both our
professional and personal lives. Professionally, continuous learning is
critical to the field of school counseling. I believe that all students are ethically entitled to access to a
state-certified, master’s-degree-level school counselor who will provide
services to assist them in reaching their maximum growth potential. In order
for the school counselor to provide this assistance, he or she must be actively
seeking to better him or herself through professional development.
Various forms of professional development
are available to school counselors. National, state, and local counseling
conferences are accessible to those involved in the field. These conferences
can cost hundreds of dollars or be free events. One does not need to spend
exorbitant amounts of money and resources on professional development to
increase skills and knowledge. For example, the American School Counselor
Association (ASCA) offers free webinars to current members of the association.
These webinars are offered frequently and cover a wide variety of topics
throughout the school year. Additionally, school- and district-wide trainings
and in-service days are excellent sources of professional development.
As a
professional school counselor, I believe that it is important for me to “blaze
my own trail” when it comes to acquiring knowledge in areas where I would like
more skills. I plan to attend conferences and participate in trainings whenever
these are available to me. I have already begun this practice, as I have attended
local and state conferences, as well as participated in national ASCA webinars.
In the future, I would like to continue my education by enrolling in university
courses on topics such as adolescent substance abuse, public policy in schools,
and family therapy. As an avid reader, I enjoy reading literature on counseling
and advances in therapy. Keeping abreast of current research in the field of
counseling will also assist me in serving the students and school community in
which I work.
I have loved
learning my entire life, and truly believe it is fundamental to becoming the
best person I can be. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I look to the diffusion of
light and education as the resource to be relied on for ameliorating the
condition, promoting the virtue, and advancing the happiness of man” (letter to
C. C. Blatchly, October 21, 1822). This is exactly what counselors aspire to
do: help others make changes to become better and happier than they were before
they came into the counseling office. Continuing education is how one can do
that.
Memberships
- American Counseling Association (ASCA), 2013 - Present
- American School Counselor Association (ACA), 2010 - Present
- Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA), 2012 - Present
- Kappa Delta Pi, 2012 - Present
- Center for Academic Excellence, Millersville University, Board Member, 2011 - 2012
- PSCA IU 13 Conference, October 25, 2011
- PSCA Annual Conference, November 30, 2012
- Lancaster County School Counselor Association (LCSCA), Meeting, May 7, 2013
- ASCA Webinars:
- Girls in Real-Life Situations: Empowering, Motivating, and Inspiring Girls Through Group Work
- Julie V. Taylor (March 6, 2012)
- Infusing a Caring Climate Into Your School
- Sandy Austin (December 4, 2012)
