A week to honor school counselors and the 2010 school counselor of the year
Pennsylvania's school counselors deliver the power of a great education. From February 1-5, 2010, PSEA joins the nation in honoring their hard work by celebrating National School Counseling Week.
The week was created to focus public attention on the unique contributions of professional school counselors. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, highlights the tremendous difference school counselors can make to improve student achievement and help students plan for successful futures.
In Washington, both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed resolutions declaring Feb. 1-5, 2010 National School Counseling Week to honor the important role school counselors play in students' lives. Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.) introduced the resolution on the House side, and on the Senate side, S. Res. 381 was introduced by Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine).
Honoring 2010's School Counselor of the Year: Barbara Micucci, Upper Merion EA
As we celebrate National School Counseling Week, PSEA also honors member Barbara Micucci - who recently received distinction as the nation's 2010's School Counselor of the Year.
Micucci, a school counselor from Caley Elementary School, has been named the top school counselor in America. Micucci is one of more than 250 elementary, middle and secondary school counselors nationwide who were nominated for the School Counselor of the Year award. The award, presented by the American School Counselor Association, honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates and often lifesavers for the nation’s students.
A school counselor for 24 years and a teacher for six, Micucci is a child advocate and educational leader. She makes it her goal to connect with all students and guide them toward current and future success.
“Barb Micucci can best be described as the force behind our school’s success,” said Susan Silver, principal, Caley Elementary. “For the past 12 years, her main focus has been the well being of our Caley community. Students, parents and staff smile every time they see Barb.”
Micucci, along with the seven finalists, traveled Washington, D.C., on Jan. 27, 2010, for three days of celebratory events. The honorees met with their members of Congress, attended a congressional briefing, visited the Department of Education and were formally recognized at a black-tie gala.
Resources and Tools
To help you promote the week, the American School Counselor Association offers a National School Counseling Week kit. If you wish to request a kit, call the ASCA office (703-683-2722) to place your order.
The kit includes:
- 20 pencils for sharing with some of your students
- Full-color poster promoting National School Counseling week
- Certificate of appreciation
- National School Counseling Week proclamation
- Doorhanger to promote privacy when in counseling sessions
- 120 "I 'heart' my school counselor" stickers