Professional Recognition Process
Saint Louis Suburban School Counselor Association Professional Recognition Process
Step 1
Nominate someone for Counselor of the Year or Advocate of the Year by completing the SLSSCA Professional Recognition Nomination Form. Nominations must be completed by November 10th, to give Nominees ample time to get their application in by the December 22nd deadline.
Counselor of the Year Criteria: Rubric
Nominees for “Counselor of the Year” must be responsible for innovations in a school counseling program, for providing leadership in the further development of an existing school counseling program, and/or for performing an outstanding service to the school community.
The individual must be a current member of St. Louis Suburban School Counselor Association (SLSSCA). It is strongly recommended they be a MSCA and ASCA member, but not required. The counselor must be a MSCA member if they are awarded at the regional level and nominated for the state award.
Nominees must be certified 3 years as a school counselor and employed as a full time school counselor for at least 3 years after certification.
Advocate of the Year Criteria:
Nominee for the “Advocate of the Year” must provide exemplary support of school counseling services, outstanding promotion of school counseling services, implementation of new/additional school counseling services and/or improvement of existing school services.
The nominee may be a principal, superintendent or other district personnel, school board member, parent, teacher, community leader, or organization who has consistently made a significant contribution to the improvement of school counseling service in the school setting.
Step 2
Professional Recognition Chair sends an email notification to the nominee and nominator.
Counselor of the Year Nomination Notification Email:
Congratulations! You have been nominated by __________________ for the Saint Louis Suburban School Counselor Association (SLSSCA) Counselor of the Year award. We appreciate everything you have done for the school counseling profession and the students you serve.
In order to complete the nomination process, you will need to complete the following and submit it by December 22nd:
Complete the Counselor of the Year Nominee Information Form.
Email a copy of your certificate to the SLSSCA Professional Recognition Chair, Sara Luesse at saraluesse@gmail.com .
Work with your nominator to ask an administrator, teacher, counselor, parent, and up to three students to complete an online recommendation on your behalf.
Advocate of the Year Nomination Notification Email:
Congratulations! You have been nominated by __________________ for the Saint Louis Suburban School Counselor Association (SLSSCA) Advocate of the Year award. We appreciate everything you have done for the school counseling profession.
In order to complete the nomination process, you will need to complete the following and submit it by December 22nd:
Complete the Advocate of the Year Nominee Information Form.
Work with your nominator to ask up to four people to complete an online recommendation on your behalf. The recommendations can be from an administrator, teacher, or counselor.
Step 3
Counselor of the Year Online Recommendations:
Nominator and/or nominee work together to ask one administrator, counselor, and teacher to complete the Staff Recommendation Form. One parent to complete the Parent Recommendation Form and up to three students to complete the Student Recommendation Form.
Advocate of the Year Online Recommendations:
Nominator and/or nominee work together to ask up to four people to complete an online recommendation on your behalf. The recommendations can be from an administrator, teacher, or counselor.
Step 4
The SLSSCA Professional Recognition Committee will use the Counselor of the Year or the Advocate of the Year scoring rubric to select the recipient.
Step 5
All nominees will be notified of the results and receive an official invitation to the Professional Recognition Ceremony by January 19th. The Professional Recognition Ceremony will be held during National School Counseling Week which is the first week in February. Visit the SLSSCA website for the date, time, and location.
Questions? Contact the Professional Recognition Chair:
Sara Luesse
314-698-3217