Joy of Advising: The Art & Science of School Belonging

Are you new to the role of middle- or high-school Advisor, or eager to refine and re-energize your approach?
This experiential two-day workshop is designed to upskill your practice and amplify your impact. Together, we’ll unpack the role of the advisor, tackle common challenges, and build a toolkit that promotes student belonging, connection, and success.
This orientation blends the science of evidence-based practices with the art of showing up authentically and responding to student needs. By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away with actionable tools, a fresh perspective, and the confidence to lead with compassion and purpose.

Outcomes:

Through a dynamic mix of activities, reflection, and hands-on application, we’ll explore four key topics:

• Building Psychological Safety in Groups: Experience strategies and activities designed to foster trust, connection, and belonging within Advisory Groups.
• Facilitating High-Impact, Low-Prep SEL Experiences: Participate in experiential SEL that engage both the intra- and interpersonal, and gain access to IFSEL’s Lesson Library for ongoing inspiration.‍
• Balancing Planning and Responsiveness: Learn unit design principles that help Advisors stay intentional while remaining flexible to meet students’ evolving needs.
• ‍Creating Space for Downtime, Playfulness, and Reflection: Discover the research behind the benefits of intentional downtime, playful engagement, and the metacognitive power of reflection.

Audience:

• New Secondary Advisors learning SEL for the first time
• Practicing Advisors looking to refresh or deepen their SEL practice
• Ideal for Advisors, mentors, teachers, counselors, deans, and wellness educators

What's included:

• Comprehensive advisory resources, materials, and lesson plans
• Connection with other educators
• A healthy lunch and plenty of snacks

Additional Workshop Information can be found on our website.

Financial Aid

IFSEL is committed to empowering all educators to attend our Advisory Workshops and we have Financial Aid programs to support this vision.

To apply please complete this form.‍

Cancellation Policy

Registration fees will be refunded at 50% of the registration ticket price paid, less the $50 refund processing cost, if requested in writing more than two-weeks prior to the start of the course. From two weeks prior to the start of the course until the day before the course begins, refunds requested in writing will be granted a credit for the full value of their registration ticket price. No refunds or credits are available on or after the start date of the course. To begin the cancellation process, please email us at [email protected].

Host or Publisher Institute for Social and Emotional Learning