FSCA Convention

Pre-Con

MORNING SESSION

When the Unthinkable Happens: Crisis Response in Schools

Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 9:00am-12:00pm
Are you prepared to support your school community during a crisis? It’s not “IF” a crisis will happen, but when. Whether it’s the death of a student, staff member, an act of violence, or a natural disaster, schools must be equipped to respond effectively—not just in the moment, but in the critical aftermath. How can the decisions made during crisis management lay the foundation for psychological healing?

This session will explore evidence-based strategies to help minimize trauma and foster resilience in students, staff, and school communities following a school-impacting crisis. Proactive planning and thoughtful response can make a lasting difference in your school’s recovery journey.

FLDOE Rule, 6A-5.079, Florida School Counseling Standards addressed: #1 thru #6

About the Presenter - Lynda Tyree

Linda Tyree leads the Crisis Recovery Network at SREB, managing, directing and providing professional learning across the SREB region. She joined SREB in 2025, bringing more than 35 years of experience in public education. Linda served as a teacher, school counselor and school safety consultant. She led crisis response teams in Kentucky at both the regional and state levels. She is also a past president of the Kentucky School Counselor Association. Linda holds a B.S. and M.A.Ed in middle grades education, with a 9-12 endorsement for high school history, as well as an additional M.A.Ed in K-12 school counseling from Western Kentucky University.

AFTERNOON SESSION

From Invisible to Indispensable: Champion Your School Counseling Program

Thursday, October 15, 2026 | 1:00pm-4:00pm
School counselors are transforming student lives every day, yet many counseling programs remain misunderstood, underutilized, or overlooked within their schools and districts. This interactive pre-conference session is designed to help counselors move from simply doing impactful work to effectively communicating, promoting, and advocating for the value of their programs.

Through practical strategies, collaborative discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to promote their counseling programs, use data to demonstrate impact, educate stakeholders, and strengthen relationships with school leadership. Attendees will explore real-world advocacy techniques including storytelling, data-informed communication, parent engagement, and leadership-focused messaging that connects counseling outcomes to attendance, achievement, behavior, and school climate goals.

Participants will leave with a personalized advocacy action plan, tools to increase the visibility of their counseling program, and renewed confidence in sharing the powerful story of school counseling. This session is ideal for counselors seeking practical and empowering strategies to elevate their programs.

FLDOE Rule, 6A-5.079, Florida School Counseling Standards addressed: #1 thru #7

About the Presenter - Dr. Brianna Patterson

Dr. Patterson is a school counselor with over ten years of experience in education. She is devoted to helping students thrive through advocacy, empowerment, and equitable access to opportunities. Dr. Patterson also serves as Adjunct Faculty at University of North Florida, preparing future school counselors through the SOAR program. A published author and presenter at ASCA and FSCA conferences, her work focuses on advocacy, professional identity, and counselor self-care. Her honors include the 2026-26 Florida School Counselor of the Year Award, the 2025 Lucille Crysell School Counselor of the Year Award, and the 2024 UNF Outstanding Adjunct Teaching Award.

FSCA is Home for Florida School Counselors.
Since 1964, FSCA is a chartered state division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)