The Shelby County School District recently honored three school counselors with Counselor of the Year honors.

The three were honored by the Counseling and Testing Department during their annual End of the Year Meeting on June 1.  Those who were honored were Renita Matthews, Helena Elementary – Elementary School Counselor of the Year; Maite Miller, Vincent Middle/High School – Middle School Counselor of the Year; and Leslie Walker – Calera High School – High School Counselor of the Year.

“The Counselor of the Year award is voted on by professional school counselors in our district,” said Cindy Wiley, Supervisor of Counseling and Testing. “It is an opportunity for us to recognize those in our field who have done an outstanding job throughout the year in advocating for students and helping remove barriers that stand in the way of student success.”

Pictured in the photo are Renita Matthews: Helena Intermediate School – Elementary School Counselor of the Year; Kathy Paiml – HIS Principal; Maite Miller – Vincent Middle/High School – Middle School Counselor of the Year; Michelle Edwards – VMHS  Principal; Leslie Walker – Calera High School – High School Counselor of the Year;  Joel Dixon – CHS – Principal; and Mike Jones – CHS – Assistant Principal

The Counseling Department also honored state and local leaders with a breakfast at Pelham Cracker Barrel on Monday, May 18 to thank them for their public service.  Shelby County counselors took this opportunity to share the work that they are doing to support their students and families, and to collaborate on how they can strengthen their partnerships with stakeholders to further benefit students.

Dignitaries in attendance were Representative Arnold Mooney, Representative Matt Fridy, Chief Deputy Chris George, Board of Education members Peg Hill and Jane Hampton, and Board of Education President Aubrey Miller.  Also attending as honorees were Central Office leaders Dr. Lynn Cook, Dr. Lewis Brooks, Jim Miller, Tom Ferguson, Rickey Darby and Dana Martin.