Growing a Successful S2S Program: An Administrator’s Insights

Description: Kyra Bush, Coordinator for Guidance Services at North East ISD in San Antonio, TX, shares her journey bringing Student 2 Student® to her district, growing the program to be in every high school, middle school, and elementary school, and her checklist for building a successful program in any school or district. This episode is made possible thanks to the generous support from the Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses' Club (formerly Fort Lee Area Spouses’ Club) in Virginia. To learn more, visit https://www.fortleeareaspousesclub.com/ Note: The annual MCEC premiere training event in Washington, DC, changed its name in 2022 from the National Training Seminar (NTS) to the Global Training Summit.   Additional links: North East Independent School District NEISD has invested in establishing top schools, developing magnet schools, hiring the best teachers and providing updated technology to deliver quality education to the children of our community. North East ISD educates almost 60,000 students across 70 campuses and is the second-largest school district in San Antonio and tenth largest in Texas. https://www.neisd.net/ Reagan High School Student 2 Student News Story https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2023/04/25/front-center-reagan-high-school-program-helps-students-of-military-families-navigate-relocation-challenges/ MCEC’s Student 2 Student Established in 2004, Student 2 Student (S2S™) is a student program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment, support academic excellence, and ease transitions. If you’d like more information on the S2S program, and bringing it to your school or district, email [email protected] https://www.militarychild.org/programs/student-2-student MCEC’s Global Training Summit July 24-26, 2023 in Washington, DC MCEC’s Global Training Summit (GTS) is the premier professional development opportunity for everyone who serves and supports the educational needs of military- and veteran-connected children. The 2023 MCEC GTS curriculum features Well-being, Transitions, Separations & Deployment, Youth in Caregiving Roles, and more. Whether your community includes Active Duty, Veterans, National Guard and/or Reserves, the MCEC Global Training Summit will increase your awareness of the needs of our military- and veteran-connected kids. https://www.militarychild.org/gts   Guest bio: Kyra Bush, Coordinator for Guidance Services, North East ISD Kyra Bush is an experienced educator and counselor, currently serving as the Coordinator in the Guidance Services Department of North East ISD in San Antonio, Texas.  With 13 years of experience in NEISD supporting students, Kyra has been dedicated to helping students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Kyra began her career with North East ISD as an Elementary School Counselor, where she worked with young learners and built strong relationships with students, teachers, and families.  Her passion for counseling and education led her to take on leadership roles in the district, and she has been serving as the Coordinator in the Guidance Services Department since 2015. In her current position, Kyra has several roles.  She oversees the district-wide Student 2 Student Program, which focuses on supporting military-connected students in their transition to new schools.  She also works closely with School Counselors to implement the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling, ensuring that students receive comprehensive, data-driven counseling services that promote their academic and personal success.  Kyra also serves as the District’s Foster Care Liaison, advocating for the needs of students in foster care and coordinating support services for them.  Additionally, she coordinates General Education Homebound services, working with teachers and students to ensure that students who are unable to attend school due to medical reasons receive appropriate educational support. Kyra’s background in School Counseling deeply informs her passion and purpose.  She is committed to promoting positive mental health and well-being among students.