As part of National School Counseling Week, celebrated this year February 5-9, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) honored its top counselors during the 2024 GCPS Counselor of the Year awards program. The winners are:

 

2024 Gwinnett County Elementary School Counselor of the Year:

Mi’esha Reynolds of Meadowcreek Elementary School

    Mi’esha Reynolds embodies a dedication to advocating for the school counseling profession and promoting equity in education. Through her leadership and innovation, Reynolds has designed comprehensive counseling programs aligned with ASCA standards at Meadowcreek Elementary School and The American International School in Cairo, Egypt. She emphasizes the importance of data-driven interventions and cultural sensitivity, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all students. Reynolds actively champions the integral role of counselors by educating stakeholders and advocating for the inclusion of comprehensive counseling programs within educational frameworks. “Mi’esha is an advocate for students and a positive force in our school,” says Meadowcreek Elementary School Principal Adrienne Tedesco. “She has lifted SEL practices and created a safe space for our students, staff, and families. She has been vital in our community-building efforts and has connected services to support the whole child. She is a leader in our school and a change agent for our students.” Reynolds is committed to fostering student success through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts.

     Her annual student outcome goals, such as reducing unexcused absences and promoting career readiness, reflect her dedication to addressing the diverse needs of her school community. “Reynolds has made a tremendous impact on our student attendance through an incentive program focused on getting students to school every day,” Tedesco shares. “She has counseled, supported, and provided resources for the students in the program to ensure they have what they need to learn. Absenteeism has dramatically reduced due to her impact, and our students are achieving more.” By leveraging partnerships with stakeholders and implementing tiered intervention protocols, she has achieved tangible results in improving student attendance and engagement. Additionally, Reynolds spearheaded initiatives like Career Day, engaging administrators, faculty, parents, and community members to expose students to diverse career paths and real-world insights.

     Through her leadership positions and collaborative endeavors, Reynolds promotes systemic change within her school and district, advocating for equitable access to resources and support for all students. She creates a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive by communicating a clear vision for her counseling program and fostering stakeholder partnerships.

 

2024 Gwinnett County Middle School Counselor of the Year:

Dr. Nadege Azor of Couch Middle School

     Dr. Nadege Azor’s journey encompasses resilience, advocacy, and innovation. Born and raised in Haiti during the Duvalier dictatorship, she navigated through tumultuous times, including migration to a foreign land and a shift in language. Despite these challenges, Dr. Azor’s passion for counseling shines through her 23-year career, spanning two states. Throughout her career, Dr. Azor has exemplified advocacy for counseling, as evidenced by her various initiatives aligned with the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies. From her early days as an intern conducting dialogues on college readiness to her leadership in implementing high school courses in middle school, she has consistently championed students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Additionally, her collaborative efforts with stakeholders, such as faculty, parents, and community members, have led to impactful programs like the RENEW mentoring program to change the narrative for at-risk students.

     Couch Middle School Principal Cappy Douglass says Dr. Azor’s impact at Couch Middle is felt every day. “Dr. Azor is a change agent in the most remarkable and beautiful ways,” Douglass shares. “She activates, stimulates, and creates systemic and sustainable excellence within every community she serves. I am honored to work alongside such an amazing educator and beautiful human being. She is a positive difference in our lives. She makes us better!”

     Dr. Azor’s commitment to equity and systemic change is evident in her innovative approaches, including creating a Connection class and the International Festival, fostering a sense of belonging, and celebrating diversity within her school community. “This recognition is truly fitting for Dr. Azor, as she is a brilliant, compassionate, and dedicated counselor who exemplifies positive persistence, sets high standards of excellence, demonstrates empathy, and advocates tirelessly to ensure that all students are allowed to maximize their greatest potential,” Douglass shares. “She is a model for other counselors because she exemplifies all of the tenets of an exemplary counselor, as well as the GCPS strategic priorities for the future: empathy, equity, effectiveness, and excellence!”

 

2024 Gwinnett County Secondary School Counselor of the Year:

Corban Cofer of North Gwinnett High School

     Corban Cofer knew he wanted to help people from the first time he tutored a classmate in high school. Today, Cofer is profoundly committed to student success and holistic support. With a foundational belief that “All students learn at high levels” and a dedication to removing barriers to learning, Cofer’s professional journey underscores his unwavering passion for guiding students toward their “why” and empowering them to find their path. His collaborative approach with principals has resulted in transformative changes, evidenced by removing non-counseling tasks to prioritize student support.

     Nathan Ballantine, the principal at North Gwinnett High, says Cofer is a role model and leader. “Corban Cofer’s proven track record of caring for students and families, learning and navigating post-high school options for his students, and leading with empathy have helped Corban earn the respect and admiration of his peers,” Ballantine shares. “His superpower is his ability to remain calm and focused in all types of situations. Corban’s steadfastness sets a tone that helps him focus on solutions and opportunities for our students, staff, and families.”

     A champion of equity and systemic change, Cofer’s initiatives extend beyond traditional counseling roles, encompassing proactive measures to address student needs and foster a sense of belonging. Through targeted interventions for diverse student populations, such as Off-Track students, ESOL learners, and first-generation college-bound students, he has facilitated tangible progress, as evidenced by improved academic performance and increased connectedness to the school community. Moreover, Cofer’s advocacy extends to systemic challenges, as demonstrated by his efforts to navigate complex issues with external stakeholders, including the NCAA, ensuring fair treatment and student opportunities. Grounded in a deep-seated commitment to dignity, respect, and continuous learning, Cofer’s exemplary leadership and unwavering advocacy exemplify the transformative impact of comprehensive school counseling programs.

 

2023 Gwinnett County Mary Joe Hannaford Counselor Administrator of the Year: 

Dr. Kassia Sutton of Norcross Elementary School

     The counseling staff at Norcross Elementary School call Dr. Kassia Sutton, the principal at Norcross Elementary, a “dream principal.” Dr. Sutton has demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting the school’s counseling program over her eight-year tenure. She actively engages with the counseling team each school year, meticulously reviewing student outcome goals, time allocation, and other responsibilities. Dr. Sutton values input and collaboratively identifies strategies to enhance the program’s effectiveness, such as determining optimal grade levels for classroom lessons and addressing implementation barriers. Her unwavering availability for impromptu meetings underscores her commitment to prioritizing student needs, as echoed by her statement, “How can I help?”.

     Dr. Sutton’s proactive approach to promoting counseling program services extends beyond the school’s walls, reaching stakeholders through various channels like the school website, social media, and newsletters. She fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, actively seeking counselors’ insights on school matters and championing their professional development. Her engagement with counselors extends to embracing innovative initiatives such as mindfulness rooms, trauma-informed practices, and community outreach events like the Drive-Thru Pantry. Dr. Sutton’s responsiveness to evolving challenges, as seen in her support during the COVID-19 lockdown and commitment to addressing food insecurity, reflects her dedication to holistic student well-being. Top of Form

     At GCPS’ annual recognition event, the district also honored Archer High School, Gwin Oaks Elementary School, and Mason Elementary School as 2024 RAMP recipients. Gwinnett currently has 36 counseling departments that are recipients of the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) National Award. Mason Elementary has earned RAMP designation four times. Awarded by the American School Counselor Association, the RAMP designation recognizes schools committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program. Every five years, schools are required to “Re-RAMP” to retain this certification.

Event images can be accessed here.