School Counselor Workshop

Dr. Tuite directs the Office of Admissions at the Indiana Academy. Her research interests include the experiences of high ability, LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer) students. She is a frequent speaker at conferences that focus on high-ability/high-achieving students.

Lisa DaVia Rubenstein, PhD, is a professor of educational psychology at Ball State University. She was a classroom teacher, a gifted program coordinator, and a researcher at the National Center for Research on the Gifted and Talented. She earned her PhD from the University of Connecticut before coming to Ball State. While at Ball State, she has served as the gifted undergraduate program director and the PhD program director. Her research examines the intersection of personal identities, creativity, and curriculum. She has been recognized by the National Association of Gifted Children, and she recently was awarded a 2.6 million dollar, 5-year Javits grant to implement Project Brilliance.

Dr. Cassady is the director of the Academic Anxiety Resource Center (sites.bsu.edu/aarc) and the Research Design Studio (sites.bsu.edu/rds). He’s been at Ball State since 1999. His areas of expertise include test anxiety, human learning, teacher education, and research design.

Casey Schultz is the Associate Director of College Counseling and Student Engagement at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities. She has worked in higher education as an Admissions professional and academic advisor for more than 10 years at Ball State University. Casey is also an associate certified academic life coach. She is currently pursuing her EdD in Higher Education with a cognate in Community College Leadership.

As a former adolescent crisis/suicide prevention counselor, Addison Helsper is passionate about sharing specific behavioral and cognitive interventions to better connect with adolescents. Through Addison’s years of crisis work at Boys Town, they have solidified a repertoire of active listening strategies to support students facing daily life stressors and preparing students for a successful future.

Ms. Jones is a Proud School Administrator and Professional School Counselor with over twenty years of experience in the field of education. She prides herself in being a servant leader who has devoted her life to helping students find their Passion and Purpose and develop a Plan for their future.

Before joining the IDOE, she served as the Director of Post-Secondary Readiness for Indianapolis Public Schools where she oversaw college, career, and life readiness initiatives across the district. Prior to her time in IPS, she spent over twenty years in MSD of Wayne Township in various roles including School Counselor, District Equity Team Leader, Recruitment Chairperson, Home School Advisor, At Risk Counselor, and GCL New Teacher Trainer, along with many other roles and responsibilities.

In her role as IDOE Director of Student Pathways, she is responsible for setting the direction of Pathway Opportunities for students as it relates to Graduation Pathways and Locally Created Pathways, Regional Work-Based Learning Opportunities and Support, Dual Credit Credentialing for School Staff to Increase Student Access to College Coursework, Postsecondary Credentialing for Students and Moving the Terminal End Point of High School Beyond the Graduation Stage. She is also responsible for the support and guidance in the area of High Abilities, Alternative Educational Programming, Homeless Children and Youth, and Homeschool Initiatives.

Dr. Stith is the Director of the Center for Gifted Studies and Talent Development and co-Director of the Instructional Technology Design Studio at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. With her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus of Integrative STEM Education from Virginia Tech, she works extensively in high-ability programming and STEM/STEAM education. She is the Coordinator for Ball State University-Project Lead The Way partnership to facilitate PLTW Launch Teacher Preparation Programs and co-directs a K-6 STEAM Club and a Robotics Club. Her research interests are in design thinking and integrative STEM programming at the school and district level. Prior to her position at Ball State, Dr. Stith was a high school life science and engineering teacher in Southwest Virginia.