PSSCA Executive Board Elections 2020-2021
Candidates for Elementary Level Vice-President:
Ruth Arndt - As Elementary Vice-President, my hope is to help continue to advance the profession of school counseling by offering support and help to my colleagues and elementary school counselors across the state. As a school counselor going in to my sixth year with Lexington School District One, I have had the good fortune of working alongside and with many amazing school counselors that have helped guide me along the way. I have helped to develop district leadership lessons for elementary school counselors and serve with my school on the Leadership Team and Student Improvement Council. It is an honor to be nominated for the position of Elementary Vice-President and I look forward to helping you all in any way that I can.
Terina Gardner - “Accomplished school counselors set high standards for themselves as counseling professionals in the education community.” We are leaders in our field who are active advocates for the counseling profession and who recognize the importance of our individual role in shaping the future of our profession. I have worked as a School Counselor at the elementary, secondary, and alternative school settings for over twenty years. I am currently an elementary school counselor and was previously director of school counseling at two middle schools in Richland School District Two. My desire to impact student achievement coupled with my professional experiences make me a strong candidate for the position of Elementary Vice President. My goal will be to not only support the mission of PSSCA but to serve as a voice for elementary school counselors in South Carolina in order to ensure students across our state receive premier counseling services.
Candidates for Office of Secondary Level Vice-President:
Sara Beckett - As a school counselor for the past 13 years I have been afforded the opportunity to practice my profession in the Fort Mill and Lexington One School Districts. I’ve been tapped to be on a team of counselors to open both a new middle school and high school during my first two years as a school counselor. I am an ADEPT certified school counselor evaluator and recently renewed my National Board Certification. All of these accomplishments would not have happened without the support of other school counselors around me. Communication, support, and recognition is what PSSCA does well now and what I want to continue. I enjoy seeing the “Big Picture” of how we impact our families within our community and state. I am relatable and will continue to support those around me to ensure we are a united front that is up-to-
date with the school counseling profession.
Kimberly Brown - My vision for the Palmetto State School Counselor Association is tied to the mission of PSSCA which is to advance the profession of school counseling. As Secondary Vice President I would do this working by to ensure that the PSSCA Secondary School Counselors have a voice in the association. I plan to speak up for the needs of the secondary school counselors in our state. I desire to work with the association to provide quality professional development opportunities to secondary school counselors. I am currently in my fifth year as Lead School Counselor at Whale Branch Early College High School in Seabrook, SC. I am a member of the School Counseling Leadership Team for the Beaufort County School District. I previously served on the PSSCA Board as the Membership Development Chair for and I have served on the Awards (Professional Recognition) and Professional Development Committees for PSSCA.
Anya Stewart - I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Wofford College, and Master of Education in Counselor Education from Clemson University. During my 11 years, I have worked as a school counselor in Anderson One, Lexington One, and currently Aiken County Public School District. I currently serve on the Board as the Awards Committee Chair. I also serve on the College Board Counselor Advisory Council for South Carolina. My vision for PSSCA is to continue the efforts of promoting and advancing the role of school counselors across this great state. I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of a dedicated team of professionals who work hard to promote a greater awareness of the roll of school counselors. As Secondary Vice-President, I will be able to connect with other high school counselors across the state, and advocate on their behalf, and increase communications across districts!
Candidates for Office of Secretary:
Janelle Butler - I’ve had the pleasure of serving as a school counselor for over 12 years and a community counselor for 6 years. Currently I’m housed at Longleaf Middle School, where I work with 6th and 7th grade students in various capacities as outlined by our ASCA model, as well as in my community. I don’t just lend my talents to my school, but also to colleagues in the profession. I’ve facilitated various professional development opportunities, presented at conferences, as well as developed and advised several school initiatives and programs for students.My mission is to take my passion for the profession beyond the four walls and play a more vital role on the state level as an advocate for our advancement. I plan to use the knowledge gained through my memberships in PSSCA, SCEA and ASCA over several years to offer meaningful contributions in meetings and our organization as a whole.
Meghan Snipes - This is my twelfth year as a school counselor in South Carolina and during that time I have watched the Palmetto State School Counselors Association grow into an organization that is truly making a difference in the lives of counselors in this state. My hope is to bring my background as not only a school counselor but as a leader in my school and community to contribute to the success of the association. I have served on many committees such as my district's curriculum writing team and the school counselors sunshine committee that required me to be organized and a good communicator with others. I believe my ability to work well on teams that share a common vision and my work initiative will support the growth and professionalism of the association. I would be honored to serve as the secretary of the board and to further the mission of PSSCA.
