I am thrilled to be entering my seventh year the Executive Director of MASCA and the first year in a full time role.  This is quite historic for MASCA.   As a 32 year school counselor, counseling director and MASCA member, I continue to be excited to help lead this great organization.  Having been a school counseling leader at the local, state, regional and national levels, I want to build upon the work from the past six years and provide more opportunities and benefits to our members which will ultimately benefit our students and their families. 

The past few academic years were very challenging for all educators and the students with whom we work, without a doubt some of the most challenging we have ever seen.  This coming year no doubt will continue to provide new challenges, but rest assured MASCA is here to fill your professional development, advocacy and networking needs both in-person and virtually.

Some accomplishments of the 2024-25 school year include:

• Created Ollie, our mascot, who made their debut at the annual spring conference
• Delivered our first microcredential in ethics to 80 members
• Was awarded the ability to provide Continuing Education (CE) hours for our programs which meet the criteria set forth by the NBCC
• Our program review committee conducted three reviews during the 24-25 school year
• Will host our third annual MASCA School Counselor Summer Camp July 22-22 at the College of the Holy Cross.  We expect over 68 participants.
• Work with DESE to create the new school counselor evaluation rubrics which will be in a pilot phase during the 25-26 school year.
• Continue to work with the MA DESE to address the school counselor pipeline gap, specifically targeting aspiring school counselors of color
• Continue to support our nine Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which will allow for various groups (i.e.: elementary, urban, secondary, middle level, retirees, school adjustment counselors/school social workers, and directors) to meet and support each other and welcomed our two affinity groups - LGBTQ+ and Counselors of Color
• Continue to provide a diverse range of in-person and online professional development opportunities despite the challenges in the post COVID-19 era
  
• Hosted another successful annual conference in a new venue which led to almost 600 in person and virtual attendees in April.  This is the largest conference ever in MASCA history.
• Continue to partner with DESE to better leverage school counselor voices

Goals for the 2025-25 school year include:

• Launching high quality CE offerings 
• Grow our micro-credential opportunities for our members
• Continue to grow the MASCA membership
  
• Explore the launch of a member only listserv to share ideas and resources and seek support from fellow counselors
• Support the creation of additional SIGs, possibly for rural and charter school counselors
  

I thank you for your service and dedication to the school counseling profession.  If I can be of service, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at executivedirector@masca.org.

Sincerely, 

Bob Bardwell
MASCA Executive Director