2021 Counselor Of The Year Named For Cherokee Schools

CANTON, GA — Clayton Elementary School’s school counselor sees her mission in three parts: to connect, to educate and to advocate.

Heather Chesnut meets and exceeds that mission with love, hope and a lot of hard work, according to her students, their families and her colleagues.

“She is a safe haven,” one parent shared, noting her children have been strongly supported by Ms. Chesnut as they navigated through family challenges over the past two years. “She goes above and beyond what is required of a school counselor.”

Chesnut earlier this year was selected by colleagues as the Cherokee Innovation Zone’s Counselor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding service for the past nine years, and Superintendent Brian Hightower surprised her Tuesday with the honor that she’s the Cherokee County School District 2021 Counselor of the Year. Chesnut now advances to the statewide Counselor of the Year competition.

“Heather may be Clayton’s only school counselor, but you would think it’s served by an army of counselors with all that she’s able to accomplish,” Hightower said. “She shows so much heart in everything she does, and inspires not only her students and colleagues, but has inspired me as well. This past school year has been among the most challenging for all of us, but Heather has dedicated herself to ensuring the children and teachers and staff she serves know she’s here to support them.”

Credit Union of Georgia, a Cherokee Schools Partner, sponsored gifts including an iPad with case and an engraved plaque for Chesnut that were presented by Branch Sales and Service Manager Jason Blakey, as well as a $50 gift card for her and each of the Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year, which will be delivered to their schools. Chief Operations Officer Debra Murdock, Student Services Administrator Ben Lester and Clayton Elementary Principal Carrie O’Bryant joined in the presentation, as did Chesnut’s husband and one of their children.

“She is viewed as a leader in our district,” O’Bryant said, noting that not only does Chesnut lead in her school, but she frequently serves on district committees and mentors fellow school counselors.

Chesnut joined Cherokee Schools after a career in private practice, which followed service as a counselor for a children’s group home and a Naval Base fleet and family support center. She has earned a master’s degree in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor, nationally certified counselor and a professionally certified school counselor.

As the sole school counselor at Clayton Elementary, Chesnut fulfills numerous roles ranging from teaching guidance lessons to classes, meeting with small groups on specific issues and coordinating testing to overseeing the school’s positive behavior program, attendance promotion program, charitable activities and career exploration events. Not only does she wear all of these school counselor hats, but, as Clayton is not large enough to earn a full-time assistant principal, she also unofficially serves in that role and assists O’Bryant with duties including student discipline.

One of her greatest accomplishments in her school’s charitable efforts has been the establishment of a backpack snacks program, inspired by a student sharing with Chesnut that he didn’t want to go on summer break because he wouldn’t have as much food to eat at home as he does at school. Through a grant from the Service League of Cherokee County, Chesnut started the program five years ago, which she has sustained and grown through collaborating with school partners including churches and nonprofits.

“I want to know their likes, dislikes, what sport they play, who they admire, what makes them sad and what brings them joy,” she said of her students. “This is the stuff that will build connections and impress upon my students that Mrs. Chesnut doesn’t just know me as a student, but she knows the person I am.”

And that stuff works.

“Mrs. Chesnut helps kids through tough times,” one student shared. “She makes them feel better about their situations. She is always a kindhearted, hardworking and caring woman. Everyone should be grateful to have her as a counselor.”

The award process begins with each Innovation Zone (high school and feeder elementary and middle schools) selecting a Counselor of the Year. Applications from these honorees then are considered by a panel of retired educators and community leaders, who select the Cherokee Schools Counselor of the Year.

In addition to Chesnut for the Cherokee Innovation Zone (IZ), the other Zone winners are:

• Creekview IZ: Tina Word of Macedonia Elementary School
• Etowah IZ: Whitney Morberg of Etowah High School
• River Ridge IZ: Alicia Davis of Mill Creek Middle School
• Sequoyah IZ: Taylor Herman of Dean Rusk Middle School
• Woodstock IZ: Jennifer Farlow of Woodstock Middle School