Connecticut School Counselor Association

Promoting Excellence in School Counseling since 1963

CSCA Chairman’s Message 

Hello and happy summer to our members and supporters,

For those of you who don't know me, I am Lisa Kilcourse, and I am an elementary school counselor in Newtown, CT. July 1st marked my first day as the Chairman of the Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA). I fill the shoes of Sharon Veatch and thank her immensely for leading our association as Chairman for three years with kindness, warmth, and humor. In addition, Sharon also served on the Board for four years in many other roles, working to advocate for the position. She most notably led CSCA through the creation of a strategic plan as well as supporting the update to our bylaws. As I grasp the baton from Sharon, I’m grateful for her time with us and her continued support of committees and work with government relations and advocacy.

I have had the pleasure of working with several committees and workgroups over the years and have previously served as VP of Fairfield County and PR Chair. Thank you to those I have worked with over those years! Most recently, in my role as a Director on the Board of Directors, I have seen so many awesome volunteers contributing to CSCA’s accomplishments. These span from professional development, to social connections, to work at the state level. This school year we raised over $1k for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention CT Out of the Darkness Walk. Our annual conference was one for the books. We witnessed so many counselors thriving and growing! Our awards gala was beautiful. We are thankful to the schools that have hosted us this year, Sacred Heart University, the University of Connecticut, and Newington High School. National School Counseling Week 2024 received outpourings of positive feedback as well as our first ever CSCA Care & Compassion Program, a program highlighting those school counselors making an exceptional difference. I thank the 2023-2024 CSCA Governing Board and Board of Directors for working through another challenging school year while holding up CSCA and our members. The work they do for students, staff, and families is important, but so is their commitment to us as an association. For that, I am honored to work with each of them. 

With the help and guidance of Michelle Boss, our extraordinary and energetic Executive Director, I look forward to building more for CSCA. With the hard work and support from our dedicated and dazzling Directors on the Board of Directors: Todd Dyer, Curtis Darragh IV,  Seth Korn, and Kelly Norris, as well as our savvy Secretary: Sarah Magilnick, trusted Treasurer: Kiley Flynn, and our glorious Governing Board, I look forward to providing our members with great and memorable experiences. Without all of these key players I would not be able to step in and up. 

While each year we face new obstacles, please know we are working hard to advocate for school counselors, build connections, and provide support. We thank you for the work you do each year with your students, staff, and families. To those reading this that aren't school counselors, please know your support is necessary for our work. I thank you for listening to us, advocating for us, and helping us do what's best for kids. 

I am looking forward to staying connected in 2024-2025! Please do not hesitate to reach out to see if we can support you in any way this school year: cscachairman@gmail.com. If you are interested in joining us in working toward supporting and/or advocating for school counselors across the state, we have many different opportunities to do so. One opportunity is by joining a committee and other opportunities will be forthcoming. In the meantime, anchor in the present ⚓ and enjoy your summer  

Be well and breathe ️

Sincerely,

Lisa Kilcourse

Chairman, Connecticut School Counselor Association