I am thrilled to be entering my sixth year the Executive Director of 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 now for more than 27 years, I want to build upon the work from the past five years and provide more opportunities and benefits to our members which will ultimately benefit our students and their families. 

The past three 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 2023-24 school year include:

• Was honored by ASCA at their Leadership Development Institute in Atlanta with the first ever Pinnacle Award for our award winning mentoring program for new school counseling professionals.  
• Supported the Ad Hoc Committee on School Counselor Gaps
  
• Launched our pilot program evaluation program for schools and school districts.  Our first evaluation was conducted in May/June 2023.
• Will host our second annual MASCA School Counselor Summer Camp July 23-25 at Lasell University.  We expect over 65 participants.
  
• Granted approval from BESE to update the Subject Matter Knowledge (SMKs)  requirements for initial school counselor licensure.
  
• Working closely with the MA DESE to address the school counselor pipeline gap, specifically targeting aspiring school counselors of color
  
• Strong membership push to break the 2000 member mark (we hit 2024 on April 18, 2025).  This represents a 133% increase in membership since June 2019.
  
• 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 new 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 over 600 in person and virtual attendees in April.  This is the largest conference ever in MASCA history.
  
• Executed a very successful third year school counselor leadership development specialist weekend program as part of the MSAA's Leadership Licensure Preparation (LLP) Program
• Continue to partner with DESE to better leverage school counselor voices
• Continuation of the MASCA Podcast

Goals for the 2024-25 school year include:

• Investigate the feasibility of offering CEUs for our professional development offerings
• Look at the possibility of creating 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.

To read my 2019-20 entry plan, please click here.

Sincerely, 

Bob Bardwell
MASCA Executive Director