Sandra Logan-McKibben, PhD, NCC, NCSC, ACS, BC-TMH, is a clinical assistant professor in the counselor education program at Florida International University, Miami, Florida. Logan-McKibben shares what an inspiration her students have been and her optimism for the future of technology in counseling. 

Counselor educators’ response to the current pandemic has been nothing short of inspirational. I have appreciated seeing all those associated with the counseling profession coming together and utilizing the skills that we have been trained to employ. Recently, I spoke with my interns getting ready to graduate, and I reminded each of them that they possess some of the most critical skills to have right now during these challenging times. Yet they were also empowered to think about how they can best and creatively put those skills to use. Whether it be through increased professional development opportunities for others or reaching new or greater audiences through the use of technology, my students continue to give me hope and inspiration for what they will now be contributing to the field. 

My counselor educator colleagues and I have come together in creative ways as well. As a board member for a state-level school counselor association, I have coordinated bi-monthly school counselor educator support meetings to gather and discuss how to best proceed within our respective counselor preparation programs, in light of our current and ongoing circumstances. Additionally, I have been attending a weekly support group coordinated by a colleague that aims to bring together counselor educators from across the state. In the current state of remote work, we are all finding new ways to communicate, engage, and complete our work functions. We are now considering what ways Canvas, Zoom, Doxy.me, and so many more tools can support or enhance our work and our roles. Personally, I am energized and cautiously optimistic about how our profession can embrace the benefits of technology while also honoring the importance of human connection. 

In this time of instability and uncertainty, I will continue to embrace my mantra of Advocate, Collaborate, Educate.