Congratulations on becoming an Activity Advisor! NOW WHAT?
NA4SA will be offering the Foundations for Advisors program once again for the 2023-2024 school year, building on the success of this program’s initial year and continuing our long tradition of offering support for activity advisors in schools across North America. We look forward to welcoming our second cohort of new (or close to new) activity advisors to the world of Student Activities...and to YOUR National Association for Student Activities!
CLICK HERE to view our 2023-2024 Announcement
CLICK HERE to view our 2023-2024 Promotional Flyer
The purpose of the Foundations for Advisors program is to provide support and mentoring for student activity advisors in their first or second year in their role as an activity advisor or director, and an opportunity to share experiences with other new advisors, while learning from experienced advisors. This program is open to all activity advisors at all levels and will be valuable no matter how much prior teaching experience advisors have, the training of their students, or the status of their organization.
Participants will be able to log on to the NA4SA Learning Management System (LMS) at their convenience throughout the year to learn about important topics relevant to new activity advisors, delivered by experienced activity advisors from across the country. This asynchronous format will allow advisors the flexibility to learn at their own pace, and at times that work for them. As we did last year, new advisors will also have an optional strand they can attend as part of the National Activity Advisors Clinic in August.
Participation in the Foundations for Advisors program will be valuable no matter how much prior teaching experience advisors have, the training of their students, or the status of their organization (new or established), and is designed to ensure you have the tools, resources, and support you need to be successful in your role.
Advisors will have the opportunity to earn up to 20 professional development hours by participating in this program. Each participating advisor will also be assigned a mentor advisor they can reach out to during the year. At the conclusion of the program, participants will receive a Credly micro credential from NA4SA. Participants will also have the option of earning graduate credit for their participation as well.
For those of you who just can't wait to get started, we'll be offering an optional strand for all Foundations for Advisors participants at the National Activity Advisors Clinic (NAAC) on Saturday August 5. At our (virtual) NAAC, which is a separate (but very affordable) registration, you'll meet fellow activity advisors both new and experiences, participate in general sessions while taking advantage of a specially designed strand just for you!
From there, members of this year's Foundations for Advisors program will participate in additional support and continuing education programming throughout the school year. This programming will include topics such as:
- Advisor goals and expectations for the year
- Understanding your role as an advisor
- The importance of effective communication
- Working with administrators & other adults
- Advisor self-care
- Developing an inclusive program
- School culture and climate
- Keeping your members motivated
- The learning experience of activity participation
- Process (the how) vs. Product (the what) in developing leaders
- Looking beyond your group
- Looking beyond your school
- Program and activity ideas
Participants will be expected to complete all online modules and attend at least two of four live online sessions during the year to successfully complete the program.
While participating, you will be able to work directly with members of the NA4SA Board of Directors, who bring decades of experience and knowledge in student activities and leadership development from diverse schools across the United States, and who can provide guidance and connect new advisors with resources and knowledge.
As an activity advisor, you are entering a profession (yes, that’s right, being an activity advisor is its own profession!) of adults who are dedicated to developing student leaders and improving our schools. You are also entering a professional community in NA4SA unlike any other, a national network of adults who advise student activities! By participating in the Foundations for Advisors program, you will receive:
You will be able to build a professional collaborative network of people throughout the country you can tap into for support and advice well beyond your year in the Foundations for Advisors cohort!
Registration for the 2023-2024 Foundations for Advisors program is ONLY $25.00 and separate from any other event registration.
CLICK HERE to access the Online Registration Form
The deadline to register for this program is October 15, 2023.
NOTE: While we certainly encourage all those who plan to participate in the 2023-2024 Foundations for Advisors Program to join us at our National Activity Advisors Clinic in August and/or our annual National Conference on Student Activities in December, attendance at those events is NOT required.
If you have questions about Foundations for Advisors, please contact NA4SA President Tom Heethuis at theethuis@na4sa.org or Educational & Engagement Coordinator Dr. Felix Yerace at fyerace@na4sa.org.
Please CLICK on the images below to visit their websites!
National Association of Secondary School Principals
Alliance for Student Activities
Cool Speak
Dynamx Digital
Five Star Students
Omella
Jostens
Notis
Work2BeWell
The Fisher Agency
