On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, Victoria ISD, Victoria College (VC) and the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) partnered to host the Region 3 Counselor Symposium titled Building Bridges. The conference was open to all campus principals and school counselors in the region.
Dr. Quintin Shepherd, superintendent of Victoria ISD; Dr. Jennifer Kent, president of Victoria College; and Dr. Jose Cantu, vice president for enrollment management at UHV, each spoke briefly at the event to commend professional school counselors for the vital and complex work they do with students.
Dr. Abran J. Rodriguez, assistant professor of professional counseling at UHV, led the keynote address. Highlights of his address included what makes professional school counselors unique in the school system, how to build a strong identity, an overview of the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling programs, information on Senate Bill 179, and a reminder for all counselors to rediscover their ‘WHY.’ The address concluded with questions and comments from the audience.
“I hope my keynote address inspired attendees to remember their ‘why’ in such unsettling times,” said Dr. Rodriguez. “Education is forever changed by the recent health pandemic, and it is my belief that remembering our ‘why’ as educators and professional school counselors will allow us to effectively meet the needs of our campuses.”
Approximately 80 counselors and principals from across the region attended the larger morning session. A smaller afternoon ‘focus group’ session was reserved for Victoria ISD high school counselors and two college and career coaches from Victoria College. This session allowed them to join in on the work and provide feedback on future plans for the VISD, VC and UHV partnership that will provide greater access to post-secondary information.
The district’s and colleges’ partnership will provide opportunities in the area of college and career readiness that will greatly support and enhance the work of professional school counselors at Victoria East and Victoria West high schools, ultimately supporting the district’s efforts in their strategic plan to graduate every senior with their ‘AND.’
“As a Professional School Counselor, the event invigorated me to start conversations early on with children about higher education and not just college, but just being career-ready for our community,” said Rosanne Wagner, counselor at Rodolfo Torres Elementary. “As Dr. Jennifer Kent mentioned, all students need to know we are talking about them when we talk about career readiness. We must include everyone in these conversations.”