At this time of year we are inundated with requests from organizations to join and/or renew education memberships. While the information available can be invaluable, it can feel like a child spinning around in a candy store trying to figure out what to choose. There is one organization, as a Christian school counselor that is a MUST, a true gem. That organization is NACCAP (North American Coalition of Christian Admissions Professionals).
Invest in an Education Membership With Impact
NACCAP provides numerous free services and resources including reimbursable trips to Christian colleges across our nation. These events called “Fly-in, Drive-ins”, provide a sneak peak of these colleges and professional development targeted to enhance Christian high school counselor’s knowledge, skills and impact. And bonus, the opportunity to fellowship with colleagues of like minds and hearts creates bonds and an amazing support system that I would not trade for the world.
Helpful Conference Content
Here are just some of the golden nuggets from this year’s annual national NACCAP conference 2018 (in no particular order):
The Mindset List www.themindsetlist.com – This list is created each year to share the mindset of students entering college for the coming year. It can be helpful in understanding the perspective of each generation for anyone working with students. Created by Ron Nief, Beloit College.
From Tami Peterson’s session on GenZ – One of the things GenZ students value highly is individual freedom. They want to think for themselves. So, let’s foster that kind of environment. Ask open ended questions, pause and listen. Encourage them to question, to ponder and to share. Ask “what” and “how” rather than “why” which they can find insulting.
Shifting Student Focus
In my session about empowering students to take action on their future, I challenged us to hand over the direction of content to students. Ask them what they think they need to know to be successful, before sharing what we know. Make it a collaborative effort rather than a lecture. They need to drive. Put the wheel in their hands!
Here is my favorite, from Marty Barbieri, Counselor at Heritage Christian Academy. In her first year as counselor, she made it a practice to ask students, “What do I need to know today?”
And finally, do you have an idea to help counselors or impact students? NACCAP offers research grants for these purposes. It is one of these grants that helped me develop the Prep4Success curriculum resource.
NACCAP is a membership that matters!
Their future – your influence – our tools! Want to know more?
Prep4Success Curriculum is specifically designed to provide you with the tools to connect to your students as you explore timely important developmental topics together. You can inspire, you just need the right tools. Join us!
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