Part 1: DIVERSITY: An Authentic and Transparent Experience

Program Description:

The presentation entitled "Diversity: An Authentic and Transparent Experience" explores racism, stereotypes,

diversity, inclusion, awareness, equality, and equity. The presentation will help participants understand what

diversity is, and how they can create a more diverse environment.

Objectives:

Counselors will be encouraged to employ active listening skills and an openness to various perspectives of thought. By using these skills, counselors can strengthen their communication and rapport with clients. They will also be equipped with strategies to reduce conflicts in various workplace environments which may be helpful to share with diverse clients.

Valeria Williams, PhD Dr. Valeria Williams’ Bio – Undergraduate degree(s): B.B.A. in Business Administration, Delta State University Graduate degree(s): M.B.A. in Business Administration, Delta State University Ph.D. in Human Capital Development, USM Brief Career History: Valeria Williams is the Director of Career and Technical Education at the Mississippi Community College Board. For more than 10 years, she has provided guidance and training to CTE directors both on the secondary and postsecondary levels. The role of the CTE Director encompasses elements of program development and compliance and reporting. Valeria brings a wealth of knowledge in compliance, human capital development, leadership development, and training. Her work with secondary and postsecondary institutions provides a unique perspective on the connection of Career and Technical Education and business and industry. She has provided trainings on the state and national levels on CTE. Valeria’s research and professional interests include human capital development, change leadership, diversity and inclusion, and increasing nontraditional participation and completion in CTE programs.

Co-Presenter – Larry C. Webster, Jr.’s Bio A native of Greenville MS, Dr. Webster currently serves as Dean of Career and Technical Education with Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, MS. He received his educational credentials from Mississippi Valley State University (B.A. in Sociology), Delta State University (M.S. in Community Development and M.Ed. in Social Science), and the University of Southern Mississippi (Ph.D. in Human Capital Development). Dr. Webster has extensive training and public speaking experience serving as speaker for the Winning the Race conference, AHRD presenter, Grenada Law Enforcement, etc. Dr. Webster is married to the former Michelle Byrd and they are the parents of three children: Branden, Ebonee, and Larry Caleb.

PART 2: SOCIAL EMOTIONAL COMPETENCE: Strengthen Our Emotional Wellness

Leona Bishop, EdS, NCC, NCSC, BC-TMH, LPC-S

and

Heather Norton, EdS, NCC, NCSC. P-LPC

Program Description

This presentation shall engage the participants to take a more strategic approach to address stress using a more

systemic approach for self-regulation. The presenters will introduce the concept of finding one’s Subjective Unit

of Distress and building a toolbox with a number of strategies that will be useful for working on themselves and

those they serve. This session is geared toward school counselors but is applicable for all.

Objectives:

1. To enlighten counselors with a more trauma-sensitive approach to respond to concerning behaviors

2. To implement strategies that support the framework of Social Emotional Learning.

3. To build a tool box of self-regulation strategies for emotional competence that are easily implemented and

modeled for others to use.

Leona Bishop’s Bio

Leona Richards-Bishop is a Licensed Professional Counselor who seeks to help others find JOY in their JOURNEY. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Tougaloo College and her Master’s & Specialist Degrees in counseling from Delta State University. For over 25 years, Leona has practice counseling in the mental health, school, and private practice sectors.

She has earned certification in Educational Leadership, Play Therapy, Tele-Mental Health, and is a National Certified (School) Counselor. Recently, Mrs. Bishop completed training for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an advanced psychotherapy to address trauma and painful past experiences of clients seeking relief.

In 2007, Leona was appointed by Governor Barbour to serve a 5-year term on the MS Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), where she served as Vice-Chair. She regularly presents at conferences on topics such as trauma, bullying, creating a positive school climate and culture, DISC personality types, and has received numerous awards for outstanding service including the following:

§ § Beyond the Call of Duty ( Jackson Public Schools - 1999) § Outstanding Elementary/Middle School Counseling Program of the Year (Mississippi Counseling Association - 2006) § Spirit of Safety Award (Jackson State University - Lifelong Learning - 2007) § Outstanding Educator (Parents for Public Schools - 2009)

Leona currently serves as President of the Capital Area Counseling Association and plays an active leadership role in her college alumni chapter, as well as, other church and community service ministries.

Most recently, she appeared as the "Balance Coach" for entrepreneur, Latesha Pearson, on the OWN network reality show, BELLE COLLECTIVE; Episode 8. Previously, she acted as the professional expert on TV One Justice: By Any Means; Episode 115 - Sabrina Butler Porter Documentary. She has been featured in Ridgeland Life Magazine Winter 2014 Ed. and Jackson Free Press. In 2015, Leona published her first children's book, Prissy Lee's Fancy Feet, which was inspired by her daughter. She has an additional professional self-help guide, Levels2Love, coming soon.

Heather Norton’s Bio

Heather Norton is passionate about how school counselors improve and encourage student success by addressing personal,

social, academic, and career development, which provides an excellent educational opportunity for all students. Mrs.

Norton is currently the school counselor at Sumner Hill Junior High School in the Clinton Public School District. She has 27

years’

experience, seven as a math teacher, with a degree in Math Education from Mississippi State University, and 20 as a school

counselor. She has earned a P-LPC License and is a National Certified School Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.

She received the 2017-2018 Mississippi School Counselor of the Year. In 2016, her school counseling program was awarded

RAMP status for delivering a comprehensive, data-driven program based on the American School Counseling Association

National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs.

Realizing how school counseling makes an increasingly positive impact in our schools, she earned her Master’s in Education

in Guidance and Counseling from Mississippi College and an Educational Specialist in School Counseling from Delta State

University. She believes that as a school counselor, it is our professional and ethical obligation to continue to learn how to

serve

our current student needs with an ever-changing culture. Mrs. Norton considers herself a leader at her school that promotes

and enhances a positive learning environment for all students to succeed and also understands the need to advocate for the

school counseling profession. She has had the opportunity to give several presentations to faculty, parents, students, and

fellow

counselors and educators. To promote the school counseling profession, Mrs. Norton has written a blog titled Growing

School Counselors, with the focus of helping other school counselors understand the role they play in the success of all

students. She has served as the Mississippi School Counseling Association’s Secretary in 2015 and is currently serving as the

Mississippi

School Counseling Association’s Past-President. Her other interests consist of spending time with family and their two

dogs. Heather is married to Clay Norton, a teacher and coach at Clinton High School and Adjunct Professor at Mississippi

College and Belhaven University. Their daughter, Breana, is a senior at Mississippi State University.

PART 3: Providing Ethical and Culturally Relevant Services when working with

Diverse Populations

Fred Hall, PhD, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, LPC-S

Program Description:

This presentation will utilize a diverse set of guiding principles to include working with women and children, minorities,

religious differences, sexual orientation, and global life experiences. Much of the presentation centers on working with

ethnic minorities and marginalized groups. The presentation will be sound information for those working with special

populations and the sensitive nature/skills needed to be effective.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to identify 3 strategies to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

2. Participants will be able to define microaggressions and provide 2 ways of addressing them in professional settings.

Hall’s Bio

Dr. Fred Hall is an author, speaker, coach, trainer, innovator, podcaster, blogger, and entrepreneur. He is a National Board

Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Board Certified Tele-mental Health Provider (BC-TMH),

and Licensed Professional Counselor & Supervisor for Mississippi and Louisiana.

His education includes a Doctor of Education degree in Counseling Psychology with a Concentration of Counselor Education

and Supervision. He obtained a Doctorate from Argosy University and the American School of Professional Psychology. He

also has a Master’s of Science in Guidance and Counseling, as well as, a Masters of Public Health in Behavioral Health

Education and Promotion, both from Jackson State University. He also has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry,

Counseling, and Psychology from Belhaven University.

His clinical work includes more than 30 years in clinical mental health in psychology, counseling, supervision, training, and

program development. He also has 20 years of private practice and non-profit organizational leadership to his credit. His

clinical specializations include working with Serious Mental Illness, Couples and Families, Marriage and Pre-Marriage,

Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Grief, Adjustment Issues, and Anger Management.

PART 4: Self-Care Competence: Using Mindfulness, Music, and Movement to Impact a

Healthier Self

Andrew Williams, MS, P-LPC

Program Description and Objectives:

It is true that the self of the counselor is a vital part of effective counseling. When we pour from a depleted cup, we risk making

mistakes because we aren’t fully engaged with our clients. It is essential that we make self-care a priority so that we are more

connected, engaged, and effective at work. This presentation will help counselors learn to implement strategies of mindfulness,

music and movement to improve the emotional well-being of themselves and the diverse clientele served.

Andrew William’s Bio:- See Resume

MCA – Capital Area Fall Worksh0p

Building Counselor’s Competence in a Diverse and Emotionally Charged

World

October 15, 2021

8:00 am- 3:00 pm

8:00 – 8:30 Registration 8:30 – 8:45 Housekeeping / Introductions 8:45-9:45 Diversity Workshop 9:45-10:00 Q & A and Break 10:00 -11:00 Social Emotional Learning/ Emotional Competence 11:00 – 11:45 Lunch and Message from Sponsor 11:45-1:45 Ethics 1:45-1:55 Break 1:55-2:55 Self-Care 2:55 – 3:00 Wrap-Up