California School Counselor - Fall 2008 - (Page 16)

feature CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II Reﬂection By Jerwyn Sendaydiego Graduate Student, Saint Mary’s College of California Taking part in the eighth annual CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II in December 2007 was a great experience to remember as a graduate student, conference volunteer, and budding school counselor. The conference and research summit provided a window for a network of various California school counselors, administrators, lobbyists, graduate students, college educators and other professionals to support one another. It was clear to me that the purpose of the conference and research summit was to bring awareness for collaborative ideas, research, data gathering, and other instrumental work already implemented in various districts across the state. As a ﬁrst-time attendee, I developed a clariﬁed perspective for the ongoing advocacy for both school counselors and students alike. 1 I was able to take part in the conference as a volunteer for two diﬀerent presenters. Learning from an Azusa University professor’s and Los Angeles County school counselors’ presentations, I drew upon the importance and eﬀectiveness of sharing one’s knowledge and expertise in a subject matter with eager learners as essential part of counseling. The presenters for whom I volunteered earnestly shared their wealth of knowledge on two diﬀerent topics that were covered more in depth through the sessions at the conference than taught at a learning institution. Reﬂecting on the two sessions as an observer, I noticed how participants and workshop attendees grew interested in the subject matters and I found myself wanting to apply what I learned in my future school counseling plans. The importance of sharing one another’s ﬁndings and knowledge in certain arenas can be helpful for any counselors seeking new methods for treatment, counseling, or other elements brought on by presenters at conferences such as the CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II. I attended the conference and research portion with a handful of fellow graduate students and faculty from Saint Mary’s College in hopes of building awareness for what happens at conferences, and in the process I was ﬁlled with pride as a graduate student and future counselor. As some of my peers presented at the conference, their presence guided those of us who have yet to construct a collaborative action research project to anticipate what is right around the corner from us. I now ﬁnd myself eager (and a bit anxious) to develop a collaborative action research project that may parallel my interests to advocate and share at future conferences. Research is truly an important element for school counselors to take on as part of their duties because data gathering and sharing information at conferences puts forth greater attention for school environment awareness. From AB 1802’s contribution to California school counselors to the after-school case management programs, I learned that conferences such as the CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II represent a unique opportunity to educate other professionals and hopefuls on the importance of school counseling. ■ 362305_California.indd 1 16 The California School Counselor | fall 2008 r 12/26/07 4:37:48 PM http://www.cca.edu/

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of California School Counselor - Fall 2008

California School Counselor - Fall 2008 Contents Presidential Perspectives Jackie's Jottings Executive Director's Report Pics, Clicks and Technics Calendar Index to Advertisers Prevention is Key in Crisis Response High Schools Partner with Cash for College to Boost Cal Grant Awards CASC Southern California Conference and Research Summit II Reflection 2008 WACAC Annual Spring Conference H.B. McDaniel Foundation Awards Announced 2008 Delegate Assembly 2008-2009 School Counseling Program Grant Recipients Named Solution Tree Outsert

California School Counselor - Fall 2008

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