Elevating SEL, Mental Health and Counseling: ISCA’s Leadership

In this episode of the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, hosts Dan Kerr and Daniel Mendes engage with Brooke Fezler, co-founder and director of the International School Counselors Association (ISCA). They discuss the evolving landscape of international education, emphasizing the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health in schools. Brooke shares insights on ISCA's innovative training programs, the need for cohesive counseling frameworks, and the upcoming conference on mental health and inclusive practices. The conversation highlights the dedication of educators to support student well-being and the collaborative efforts to enhance counseling practices globally.

Takeaways

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of equipping educators to support young people.
• Brooke Fezler advocates for prioritizing SEL and mental health in schools.
• ISCA is innovating to meet the needs of school counselors worldwide.
• Training programs are designed to address gaps in counselor education and focus on the continuous need of upskilling.
• The learning progression for SEL standards is crucial for K-12 alignment and designing effective learning experiences for learners.
• Mental health training is essential for all educators, not just counselors.
• ISCA's upcoming conference will focus on mental health in schools.
• Collaboration among educators is key to supporting student well-being.
• Brooke's journey with ISCA reflects a passion for improving counseling practices.
• The conversation underscores the need for cohesive frameworks in international schools.

Links

ISCA: www.iscainfo.com

ISCA-Certified Counselor Program: https://iscainfo.com/isca-academy/

ISCA International Model for School Counseling Programs (2nd edition 2022): https://iscainfo.com/the-model/ (which was first Sponsored the U.S. State Department Office of Overseas Schools in 2009)

ISCA Student Standards (updated 2022): https://iscainfo.com/student-standards/

ISCA Student Standards Learning Progression (Oct 2024): https://iscainfo.com/learning-progression/

Sound Bites

"I feel invigorated."

"We have been innovating a lot."

"We have a comprehensive ISCA Certificate Program and three specializations."

"We launched that in October."

"We call upon experts in the field."

"It's definitely a passion story."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Blue Skies Leadership Podcast

02:39 The Vision for International Schools

04:05 Prioritizing SEL and Mental Health in Education

08:46 Innovations in School Counseling Programs

12:09 ISCA's Comprehensive Training and Specializations

14:36 Learning Progressions for SEL Standards

17:16 Responding to Mental Health Needs

20:07 Upcoming ISCA Conference and Community Engagement

23:23 The Journey of ISCA and Its Founders

30:30 Future Plans and Closing Thoughts

Keywords

Blue Skies Leadership Podcast, international schools, school counseling, mental health, social emotional learning, ISCA, education innovation, leadership, student well-being, professional development