Just over 30 K-12 counselors, behavior specialists, and student success coaches from nine school districts in Umatilla, Morrow, and Union counties gathered on December 10th for Counselor Connection, professional development hosted by the Oregon Trail Regional Educator Network (REN) and IMESD. This school year, the REN is hosting two in-person, full-day Counselor Connection gatherings in addition to monthly, virtual meetings specially designed to support counselors by providing training specific to their roles.
During the event, participants were treated to sessions provided by regional educators and agency partners on a variety of topics. Clinician and Licensed Social Worker, Emily Arnold, provided a session on building resilience in students by equipping educators with strategies for providing trauma-informed care. Later in the day, Pendleton Police Detective Howard Bowen presented to the group on issues impacting students, providing valuable insights about how law enforcement agencies partner most effectively with school counselors to provide support to victims of crime. Participants also learned about how to calm dysregulated students, run effective grade level meetings to support student growth, and navigate the challenges that come with school counseling.
The next Counselor Connection gathering will occur in April of 2026. Content focuses are informed by participants via surveys, ensuring responsiveness to need.
For more information about Counselor Connection or other IMESD/REN hosted professional development, please contact Emily Williams at emily.williams@imesd.k12.or.us.