Lexington One counselors named South Carolina School Counselors of the Year
January 28, 2016
LEXINGTON, SC – The Palmetto State School Counselor Association named two Lexington County School District One counselors as a School Counselor of the Year for 2015. One of the counselors also was nominated for the American School Counselor Association’s 2016 School Counselor of the Year, which is a national award.
Jennifer Adams was named the South Carolina Elementary School Counselor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work at Rocky Creek Elementary. Adams now serves as the director of school counseling and advisement at Carolina Springs Middle. Adams was nominated for the American School Counselor Association’s School Counselor of the Year for 2016.
Laura Lee Stockdell was named the South Carolina Middle School Counselor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding work as director of school counseling and advisement at Meadow Glen Middle. Stockdell and Adams were honored during the Palmetto State School Counselor Association’s annual conference, which was held from January 21-January 23, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Adams has worked as a school counselor for 12 years and serves on the board of directors for the Palmetto State School Counselor Association. Adams led efforts at two Lexington One schools to attain the American School Counselor Association’s Recognized ASCA Model Program designation, which honors schools for making an exemplary commitment to implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
“What distinguishes her from the rest is her desire to know each student as an individual and her natural ability to support and challenge students to reach new goals,” one Lexington One parent wrote in a letter nominating Adams for School Counselor of the Year. “She is a phenomenal support for the children and their parents and an obvious leader within the faculty team.”
Stockdell is licensed in South Carolina as a professional counselor and has worked as a school counselor for more than 20 years.
Stockdell formerly served on the board of directors for the Palmetto State School Counselor Association. She is a Global Career Development Facilitator and received National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
Stockdell worked with a former U.S. Army drill sergeant to implement a Military Mentor Program at Meadow Glen Middle that helps teach students about resilience, character and professionalism as part of the school’s Expeditionary Learning curriculum. Mentors in the program have taken students on a field trip to Fort Jackson and attended athletic events, field days and eighth-grade graduations at the school.
“I have never seen her react negatively to a situation, and her reactions are always guided by that student advocate role that she holds as a top priority,” the former Army drill sergeant wrote in a letter nominating Stockdell for School Counselor of the Year. “I have come to know Mrs. Stockdell as an educator and an advocate for her students who is open-minded, compassionate, dedicated and enthusiastic about her work.”
