The mission of the West Virginia School Counselor of the Year Program is to recognize outstanding school counselors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, advocacy, and collaboration to support student success. By recognizing those school counselors who bring honor to their profession, the West Virginia program hopes to energize students, enhance community respect for the vital role of school counselors in fostering academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and equitable opportunities for all students.
Relationship of the Participant to West Virginia
The selected school counselor will be requested to maintain a relationship with the West Virginia Department of Education for one year. During that time, the school counselor will have the opportunity to give lectures, provide consultations, and participate in other activities with the department. It is expected that the selected school counselor will be released from job responsibility by the local board of education on these occasions and will continue as an employee of the school and the county school district. The West Virginia Department of Education will provide travel and lodging expenses for activities required of the West Virginia School Counselor of the Year.
It is anticipated that the other county nominees, who have been selected at the county level, will serve as educational resources for local education agencies.
Privacy Policy
The principal purpose for collecting this information is to provide the data necessary to make determinations of qualifications for School Counselor of the Year. This information may be shared with local, state, and national education agencies for lawful purposes as acknowledged by signing and submitting the acknowledgement form.
School Counselor Eligibility
The candidate should be an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled school counselor in any state-approved or accredited school pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, who is planning to continue in an active school counselor status the following year of application.
The school counselor must:
hold professional certification in school counseling;
be a current full-time school counselor as defined by an employment contract;
have completed five years’ experience as a full-time school counselor in West Virginia; and
have verification of eligibility and consent to participate.
The school counselor should:
equip students of all backgrounds and abilities to be successful;
have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and colleagues;
play an active and useful role in the community as well as in the school; and
be poised, articulate, and possess the energy to withstand a taxing schedule.
