ALEXANDRIA, VA – Jennifer Adams, a school counselor at Carolina Springs Middle School in Lexington, S.C., has been named a 2017 School Counselor of the Year finalist. Adams, a graduate of The University of South Carolina, has been a school counselor for nearly 13 years. The School Counselor of the Year award, presented by the American School Counselor Association, honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation’s students and addressing their academic and social/emotional development and college and career readiness.
“Jennifer is a consummate professional, dedicated to helping this school achieve cultural and academic excellence,” said Dr. Brice LS Cockfield, principal, Carolina Springs Middle School. “She demonstrates her commitment to excellence through her collaborative efforts to close achievement gaps, foster positive relationships and prepare students for a bright future.”
“It has been my privilege to work with Jennifer for six years, witnessing her outstanding leadership every day,” said Jamie Dawkins, school counselor, Rocky Creek Elementary School. “Her love and concern for students is obvious in every aspect of her job. She operates on the thesis that the welfare of children is paramount in her role. She is a strong believer that our main goal as counselors is to be the children’s voice.”
“My four children had the pleasure of being under Jennifer’s wonderful influence during the last nine years,” said Andrea Krick, parent. “She has the unique ability not only to see the problems that children face but to creatively design the perfect way for each child to overcome those problems. Jennifer clearly sees the potential in every child and helps them to consistently take steps to reach their goals. Jennifer takes the time to meet with each fifth-grader and their parent(s) so that everyone has a clear understanding of the changes that are going to take place and the best route of success for each child. Because of this process, the transition to middle school has been seamless for my children, and a normal time of anxiety is now a time of excitement and celebration.”
The School Counselor of the Year finalists were judged on: creative school counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership skills and contributions to student advancement. Adams, along with the additional four School Counselor of the Year finalists, will be flown to Washington, D.C., Jan. 4–6, 2017. The honorees will be honored in a White House ceremony and be formally recognized at a black‐tie gala.
About the American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association is a nonprofit organization based in Alexandria, Va. ASCA promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of professional school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic, career and social/emotional development to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Learn more at www.schoolcounselor.org.
