During National Counseling Week (Feb. 5-9), we saluted Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) counselors, a stellar group of committed and caring professionals who support our students and guide them toward future success.
Congratulations to counselors, leaders, and schools honored at a recognition event on Feb. 6, including six schools that earned national RAMP recognition in 2017— Duluth HS, Jones MS, North Gwinnett MS, Parkview HS (with Distinction), Peachtree Ridge HS, and Roberts ES.
District award winners included:
- Counselor Sherry Ferguson of Ferguson ES, 2018 GCPS Elementary School Counselor of the Year
- Counselor Laura Ross of Five Forks MS, 2018 GCPS Middle School Counselor of the Year
- Counselor Bobby Gueh of Lanier HS, 2018 GCPS Secondary School Counselor of the Year
- Principal Christine Douthart of Five Forks MS, 2018 GCPS Mary Joe Hannaford Counselor Administrator of the Year
- Counselor Teshia Stovall Dula of Hull MS, 2018 GCPS Counselor Writer of the Year
- Assistant Superintendent Anthony Smith, 2018 GCPS Louise Radloff Advocate of the Year
Online, check out a Focus Moment from GCPS TV covering the special event.
Gwinnett County counselors work to develop and elevate students’ skills and abilities in the areas of academics, careers, and personal growth. Using specialized training and data-based interventions and programs, school counselors guide students through activities that raise awareness, lead exploration, and prepare students with the skills necessary to succeed. Counselors work with students throughout their school years, setting and building on the foundation of academic skills, career exploration, and personal/social awareness at each school level— kindergarten to graduation. While the work of the school counselor is unique, school counselors labor to leverage the expertise of all professionals in the building. They work as collaborators and catalysts to help create productive and inspiring learning environments that meet students where they are, and lead them to success. Equipping our students with the tools necessary to be successful in every aspect of life is always the ultimate goal of our comprehensive counseling programs.
We celebrate all of our counselors working to ensure that every student has a bright future!
#ThankACounselor
#AwareExplorePrepare
#GCPSCounseling
AWARENESS
Counselors raise awareness in all areas that contribute to a student’s well-being and overall school success. From kindergarten to high school, counselors teach the importance of hard work and a strong work ethic. Through intentional lessons, students learn skills that promote academic achievement, self-management, and appropriate behaviors. Through counselor-led activities, students become aware of their abilities and develop and enhance the skills necessary to fulfill their potential.
EXPLORATION
Counselors lead exploration activities and processes to ensure students are reaching beyond the limitations of their personal experiences. They encourage students to dream big and reach higher, working diligently to help their students develop the skills required for success. Through exploration, counselors encourage out-of-the-box thinking, creativity, and new ways of learning. These activities expose students to previously unknown career options and possible futures. Serving as guides, mentors, facilitators, and cheerleaders, counselors move students toward endless possibilities for their futures.
PREPARATION
School counselors engage students and facilitate activities that aid in the preparation of critical skills in the areas of academics, careers, and personal success. Skills— such as problem-solving, time management, teamwork, prioritizing, and self-management— are taught early in elementary and continually reinforced and further developed through middle and high school. Counselors ensure that students are able to apply these skills through the lens of self-awareness and situational discernment.