AzSCA Inc.

AzSCA Inc. It is our hope that all students will have access to skilled school counselors through their K-12 ed

MISSION
The Arizona School Counselors Association promotes our profession, supports school counselors through resources and professional networking, and through demonstrating our ethical practices, professional partnerships with parents, staff and community while developing evidence based national model implementation in all schools, and to assist/ support students in their academic experiences, c

ollege/ career preparation, and social/ emotional development. VISION
It is our hope that all students will have access to skilled school counselors through their K-12 education experience.

Every school counseling program begins with a plan—but the first few weeks of school often provide new information.Stude...
09/01/2026

Every school counseling program begins with a plan—but the first few weeks of school often provide new information.

Student conversations reveal emerging needs. Referral patterns begin to take shape. Early data shows where additional support may be helpful. Some priorities are confirmed, while others may need to shift.

That doesn’t mean the original plan wasn’t strong. It means the program is responding to the students it was designed to serve. ❤️

The 2027–2028 FAFSA is being beta tested—and students can apply to participate before the form officially opens to every...
09/01/2026

The 2027–2028 FAFSA is being beta tested—and students can apply to participate before the form officially opens to everyone on October 1. 🎓

Students are currently being admitted to the beta on a weekly basis, with access expected to expand to all interested students by mid-September.

For students who want to get an early start, request access at StudentAid.gov/joinBeta.

Thank you to AzSCA Past Chair and Arizona FAFSA Coalition member Kristina Guy for sharing the latest updates from the FAFSA Summit!

Attendance. Academic performance. Behavior trends. Student referrals.Data is most useful when it leads to better questio...
08/27/2026

Attendance. Academic performance. Behavior trends. Student referrals.

Data is most useful when it leads to better questions:

What might be contributing to this pattern?
Which students are not being reached?
What support could make a meaningful difference?
What are students themselves telling us?

The numbers provide a starting point—not the whole story. By pairing data with student experiences, conversations, and context, school counselors can make more informed decisions about the priorities of their school counseling programs.

We know finding time to read an entire professional development book during the school year isn’t always easy—but the ri...
08/25/2026

We know finding time to read an entire professional development book during the school year isn’t always easy—but the right resource can offer a fresh perspective on the students you serve and the challenges they’re navigating.

Here are five books recommended by an Arizona school counselor for anyone looking to better understand youth development, technology, independence, emotional well-being and the pressures facing students today 👉

Save this list for your next professional development read—or send it to a fellow school counselor who is always looking for a new book!

“I want to do better in school.”“I want to figure out what I’ll do after graduation.”“I want to feel more comfortable ar...
08/21/2026

“I want to do better in school.”

“I want to figure out what I’ll do after graduation.”

“I want to feel more comfortable around other people.”

Students may know what they want to change without knowing how to begin. School counselors can help them connect the larger goal with a short-term action they can take now.

That might mean turning “improve my grades” into completing one missing assignment this week—or turning “find the right career” into exploring one pathway that matches their interests.

The "ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success" guide provides a framework school counselors can use to identify the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need for academic success, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development.

B-LS 7 focuses on long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals.

Check out the ASCA Student Standards Guide here:https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/mindsets-behaviors.pdf

Sometimes a student knows exactly what they want to accomplish—but the distance between where they are and where they wa...
08/20/2026

Sometimes a student knows exactly what they want to accomplish—but the distance between where they are and where they want to be feels overwhelming.

That’s where school counselors can help turn a big goal into a clear next step.

“I want to improve my grades” might become completing one missing assignment.

“I want to make friends” might begin with joining one activity or starting one conversation.

“I want to plan for my future” might start with exploring one career that interests them.

The goal stays meaningful, but the path forward becomes easier to see.

Goal-setting is more meaningful when students have a voice in what they are working toward.Instead of beginning with the...
08/18/2026

Goal-setting is more meaningful when students have a voice in what they are working toward.

Instead of beginning with the goal adults have already identified for them, school counselors can start with some of these questions ➡️

Their answers can open the door to academic, career, and social/emotional goals that feel personally relevant—not simply like another expectation placed upon them.

From there, counselors can help students make the goal specific, realistic and actionable.

Because when a student understands why a goal matters to them, they’re more likely to take ownership of the steps required to reach it.

You may not have time to read an entire book for professional development right now—but we bet you have three minutes to...
08/15/2026

You may not have time to read an entire book for professional development right now—but we bet you have three minutes to explore a resource that can help guide your work with students.

"ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success" outlines the knowledge, attitudes, and skills students need to support their academic success, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development. They give school counselors a shared framework for identifying student needs and planning meaningful, measurable support.

This month, we’re highlighting one section of the standards:

B-SS 2: Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from them.

From classroom lessons and small groups to individual conversations, school counselors help students practice listening, communicating respectfully, considering different perspectives, and navigating disagreements.

Take three minutes to review the standards—we’ll link the full resource—and tell us: How are you helping students build positive, supportive relationships this year?

🔗https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/mindsets-behaviors.pdf

08/12/2026

Trust with students is rarely built through one big conversation. More often, it grows through small, consistent moments.

Remembering a student’s name. Following up after a difficult day. Being present in the hallways, cafeteria or classrooms. Listening closely—and doing what you said you would do.

Each interaction shows students: You matter. I remember. You can trust me.

What is one small way you build trust with students?

A strong school counseling program begins with clear communication.Do students know who their school counselor is—and ho...
08/10/2026

A strong school counseling program begins with clear communication.

Do students know who their school counselor is—and how to reach them?

Does staff understand when and how to make a referral?

Do families know what services and support are available?

Establishing these pathways early helps students access support more easily and gives staff and families a clearer understanding of the school counselor’s role.

Whether it’s introducing yourself in classrooms, sharing referral information with staff or communicating available services with families, each step helps create a more connected school community.

What is one way you introduce your counseling program at the beginning of the year?

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P. O. Box 30776
Mesa, AZ
85275

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