San Diego County Schools To Honor 3 School Counselors Of The Year

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — San Diego County's best school counselors will be honored at an award ceremony during the San Diego County Office of Education's sixth annual San Diego School Counselor Convention Thursday.

The three counselors were recently surprised at their school sites as the San Diego County Counselor of the Year for their grade levels.

The School Counselors of the Year are:

-- Ann Pierce, of Campo Elementary in Mountain Empire Unified School District, elementary school award;
-- Bonnie Hayman, of La Mesa Arts Academy in La Mesa-Spring Valley School District, middle school award; and
-- Cherryl Baker, of Mission Hills High School in San Marcos Unified School District, high school award.

The awards are sponsored by North Island Credit Union, and each honoree was awarded $500 from the credit union. The counselors were surprised at their school sites on Jan. 22 and will be highlighted and recognized during the second day of the virtual school counselor conference.

"They are shining examples of why school counselors are so integral to student success, especially now during distance learning and increased hardships due to the pandemic," said Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools. "They've provided the invaluable work of connecting with students who have been out of touch or disengaged and have highlighted the critical need for strong relationships with students and their families."

New this year is the Elementary School Counselor of the Year award, added to highlight the differences between counselors at the different grade levels. While it's not as common for elementary schools to have school counselors, the support they provide for younger students can have lasting impacts.

"As our students and educators have faced unprecedented challenges over the last year, the critical support and resources these counselors provide are more important than ever," said Steve O'Connell, North Island Credit Union president and CEO.

The three counselors were chosen out of 47 submissions.

"Elementary school counselors can provide a lot of social and emotional support through lesson plans for teachers, art therapy and other ways to help children at the time the trauma experience happens," said Tanya Bulette, counseling coordinator at SDCOE.

Pierce has been a school counselor for 12 years, the last seven at Campo Elementary. In her nomination letter, the school principal wrote that Pierce is one of the most compassionate and selfless people, and that she goes above and beyond to support families, which has been even more important during the pandemic. She provides culturally relevant supports for the school's Native American students and never hesitates to do home visits, deliver food and clothing, and attend cultural gatherings.

Hayman has been a school counselor for more than 30 years in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. During the pandemic, she has led the La Mesa Arts Academy community of students, families, and staff through this emotional time. Hayman was part of the design team for LMAAC as a place for character development, inclusivity and healing for students in grades 4 to 8 who reported being bullied, disconnected or judged in previous school experiences.

Baker has been a high school counselor for more than 20 years in the San Marcos Unified School District. She was part of the design team for Mission Hills High School. One nominator said she has made a lasting mark through her unwavering dedication for supporting all students to be college-, career-, and life-ready. She has founded numerous clubs and organizations to connect students, including the Peer Leaders Uniting Students Program, Cardinal Scholars, the ADL No Place for Hate Program, and most recently, the Students Without Limits Program, which supports undocumented/immigrant youth.

— City News Service