I’ve always admired the way high school counselors so consistently put the needs of students first. Nowhere is that more evident than at the conferences we attend. There, we often see counselors from different high schools banding together to present sessions where they share materials, best practices, and advice for their cohorts in attendance. There’s no territoriality, no discussion of copyrights or non-disclosure agreements, and no effort to preserve individual credit for what they’re teaching. When they have knowledge or materials that can make a difference for students, their instinct is to share it with others who are on the front lines helping kids.
Two weeks ago, our own Arun, Rhiannon, Meredith, Sara, Chelsea, and Casey headed to Indiana for the annual NACAC conference. As usual, there was socializing, fried food, and the occasional beer with old and new friends. But they also took meticulous notes in the sessions they attended. Casey then collected, formatted, and organized them into a single PDF.
Today, she sent it to all of us in an email entitled, “Take it and share it.” High school counselors, here’s the PDF. Please do what you do so well—use it to help your kids, and put it in the hands of others on the front lines.
There are no copyrights, no rules, and no restrictions. Like a great college essay, we didn’t over-polish or over-produce it in the name of perfection. It’s our work—no editors or designers—repurposed for quick and easy distribution.
Thank you to our Collegewise counselors, to Casey who took on the mammoth task of assembling this, and of course, to the high school counselors whom we hope can put it to use.
Take it and share it.