2026 MSAA Summer Institute

Student mental health should be a priority for every school leader. School counselors are uniquely positioned to make a difference in the lives of all students, but are they given the tools and time to do so? Find out how school counselors use data and evidence-based best practices to close achievement and opportunity gaps and deliver comprehensive programs that ensure success for all students. Learn ways school counselors help to improve student mental health, school climate and reduce or eliminate bullying and discipline incidents. How do school counselors deal with crises and what is their role in preventing and responding to incidents such as school shootings, deaths in the community or natural disasters?  This session will explore these various roles and how school counselors can ensure our best response and preparation for such events.  Participants will leave the session with specific ideas and activities as well as a concrete action plan to support and advantage all students.

Student dysregulation has become one of the most significant barriers to teaching and learning in schools today. Across grade levels, educators report increased classroom disruption, student anxiety, and behavioral escalation that impacts both instructional time and school climate. Yet many schools focus primarily on student behavior strategies without addressing a critical factor: the role of adult regulation and leadership practices in creating predictable and supportive learning environments.This session helps school leaders understand the neuroscience and system dynamics behind dysregulation and provides practical leadership strategies that support staff responding to challenging behavior.Participants will explore how adult stress responses influence school climate, why behavior systems break down under pressure, and what leaders can do to create alignment across classrooms. Administrators will leave with concrete strategies they can implement immediately to support their staff.