The University of the Virgin Islands Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, a nonprofit organization a part of the University of the Virgin Islands, will present a professional development workshop titled “Right Student, Right Support, Right Time: Clarifying the School Counselor’s Role in the Special Education Referral Process.”
The workshop aims to provide school counselors with a clearer understanding of their responsibilities when identifying and referring students who may require special education services. The session will be facilitated by Rashida Lester, president of the USVI School Counselor Association.
The workshop will be offered twice on Tuesday. On St. Croix, the session will take place at the UVI Evans Center, Room 716, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. On St. Thomas, the session will be held at the UVI Innovation Center (formerly West Bay) from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The workshop is designed to help counselors navigate the referral process with greater precision, ensuring that students receive appropriate support in a timely manner. By clarifying the counselor’s specific role, the session intends to reduce confusion and improve outcomes for students with potential disabilities. “There is a real opportunity here to strengthen how we move students from concern to support. This workshop helps counselors better understand their role, so the process feels clearer, and students are more likely to receive the support that fits their individualized needs,” said Shamika Thomas, the executive director of VIUCEDD.
Registration is required. Interested attendees can register using this link.
For additional information, contact VIUCEDD at khalifa.thomas@uvi.edu or call 340-693.1322.
