As part of National School Counseling Week, celebrated this year Feb. 6-12, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is highlighting the key role school counselors play in the academic success and overall well-being of all Gwinnett school children. In an awards program on Feb. 7, the school district named its top counseling award winners for 2023. They are:
2022 Gwinnett County Elementary School Counselor of the Year:
Dr. Natalie Pugh of Gwin Oaks Elementary School
Dr. Natalie Pugh is a positive force at Gwin Oaks Elementary. Her passion for students is what fuels her hard work, integrity and desire to improve.
Dr. Craig Barlow, Gwin Oaks Elementary’s principal, sees that passion every day. He explains, “Natalie is one of the best parts of being at Gwin Oaks Elementary. She is often the first voice a new student, family, or teacher hears. She speaks into people’s lives positivity, hope, and a sense of purpose.”
Dr. Pugh says she is proud of the work she spearheaded which led to Gwin Oaks Elementary meeting its goal of reducing the total number of absences among English Language Learners (ELL) and improving test scores among 4th grade ELL students on the Georgia Milestones Assessment in Mathematics. The veteran school counselor believes building relationships with students and their families is the catalyst for positive change. She explains, “I have always known the importance of being visible and being known in a school, and I strive to make sure I know my students and they know me as a safe, trusted adult to support them in their academic journey.”
Dr. Barlow sees the results of Dr. Pugh’s efforts every day. “Without Natalie, we would not have had a successful PBIS program,” Dr. Barlow shares. “Without Natalie, so many students would not have learned how to adapt to a new school and country. Without Natalie, so many first-generation families wouldn’t have known how to navigate the process of ‘how things really work. One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to observe Natalie with her lunchtime small groups. I am amazed that children who never say a word to anyone come alive in her small groups. They share. They laugh. They grow. They learn. Our school is better because of Natalie Pugh. Our neighborhood is better because of Natalie Pugh. Our world is better because of Natalie Pugh.”
2023 Gwinnett County Middle School Counselor of the Year:
Jameela Hall of Lilburn Middle School
With two decades of experience at Lilburn Middle School, Mrs. Jameela Hall is a beloved veteran counselor who advocates for systemic change to close achievement gaps. She explains, “I communicate with students and parents to inform them about supplemental support opportunities offered before and after school. To address equity, access, and success for each, every, and all children, I pursue partnerships with parents and guardians by inviting them to school events so they may gain an understanding of our school program and plans to help their child(ren) excel. In turn, they are more engaged in their child’s educational experience. School-family partnerships have benefited families in the last few years, as parents have expressed feelings of acceptance and feel better-equipped to support their children.”
The principal at Lilburn Middle School, Dr. Nicole Irish, says her award-winning counselor is a bridge builder who has a knack for bringing people together. She shares, “Ms. Hall knows our students by name, she understands the personalities, family dynamics, and needs of the students she serves. To address equity, access, and success for each and every child, she seeks to collaborate with school and community stakeholders. She pursues partnerships with parents and guardians by inviting them to school events, so they may gain an understanding of our school program and she actively works to engage parents in their child’s educational experience.”
Mrs. Hall has used her relationship-building skills to help make Lilburn Middle’s College to Career Week coordination a big success. “The goal of hosting a college to career day is also to encourage students to see the relevance of education and its connection to their career goals, aspirations, and future plans. Speakers range from healthcare professionals to engineers. The Parent-Teacher-Student Association supported the event by recruiting presenters and providing refreshments to our guests. Peer Leaders, along with Junior Leadership Corp members, assisted on the day of the event by escorting speakers and stakeholders to their assigned locations during the day,” she says.
2023 Gwinnett County Secondary School Counselor of the Year:
Dr. Cedric Cooks of Norcross High School
Dr. Cedric Cooks started his educational career as a middle school language arts teacher before teaching high school English. Eight years into his successful career, Dr. Cooks transitioned into a counseling role. As a student, Dr. Cooks didn’t always feel he had the support he needed from his own counselor. That lack of support he felt years ago, fuels his work today. He wants to be sure each of his students are seen, heard, and supported on their journey as they prepare for their future. He explains, “I desire for my students to have a far better educational experience than I received. This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about the field of school counseling. I want students to have positive school experiences that will allow them to explore the endless opportunities and potential that they possess. Unfortunately, for many students, school can be filled with traumatic experiences from bullying and harassment at the hands of peers, unfair or unequal discipline practices of administrators, negative attitudes and perceptions of teachers, limiting access to advanced courses, etc. As a school counselor, it is my responsibility to provide the necessary support to help eliminate harmful practices that impact students’ ability to learn and achieve in a safe, nurturing environment.”
William Bishop, the principal at Norcross High School, says Dr. Cooks is always working to put his students in the best possible position to have choices for their future. “I have seen this when he identifies a student who can try an AP class for the first time,” Mr. Bishop shares. “I’ve seen this when he guides a student through a difficult situation with a fellow student so they can focus on their learning. I’ve also seen this when he stays after school with a senior to help them complete their FAFSA. His support and dedication have impacted the lives of so many students.”
2023 Gwinnett County Mary Joe Hannaford Counselor Administrator of the Year:
Dr. Eric Davidson of Duluth High School
The counseling staff at Duluth High School say whenever they need something or have an idea, Principal Dr. Eric Davidson’s response is normally a resounding, “Yes! Whatever you need.” He always says he will turn over every rock to make sure his staff and counselors feel supported and to address the needs of our students. In the past five years, Dr. Davidson has not only implemented new and additional counseling services, but he has also improved the existing school counseling services. Dr. Davidson takes every opportunity to highlight the work that his counseling staff does. He often highlights the work that the counseling department does, especially when discussing graduation. He shares that faculty would be surprised by the amount of information each counselor knows about their students and their circumstances, always applauding the work counselors do with students.
Dr. Davidson consistently recognizes that ratios matter in student achievement. This year, he has added two full-time counseling positions, including an additional 9th grade counselor and a Student Support Counselor who works closely with the school’s discipline assistant principals to provide direct behavior intervention to those students who may require a little extra grace. When Dr. Davidson found out every GCPS high school could hire a college and career specialist, he made the decision to keep the school’s existing college/career counselor, thus providing the school with another counseling staff member to better serve the students.
At GCPS’ annual recognition event, the district also honored Duluth High School as a 2022 RAMP recipient. Gwinnett currently has 34 counseling departments that are recipients of the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) National Award. Awarded by the American School Counselor Association, the RAMP designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program. This is the second time Duluth High has earned RAMP recognition. Every five years, schools are required to “Re-RAMP” to retain this certification.
GCPS counselors continue to be among the most recognized when it comes to state and national honors. Teshia Stovall Dula, a counselor at Gwinnett Online Campus, was named GCPS Writer of the Year. She was also a finalist for the 2021 National School Counselor of the Year. Mrs. Dula is the latest in a long list of GCPS counselors who have been honored at the national level. Recent honorees include Laura Ross of Five Forks Middle School, who was named the 2020 National School Counselor of the Year; Stacey Miller, a 2016 semifinalist for the national honor; Jennifer Diaz of Lanier Middle School, a finalist for 2015 National Counselor of the Year; Andrea Hodgin, a semifinalist for the 2015 national honor, and Robin Zorn of Mason Elementary, who was named the 2014 National School Counselor of the Year.