Professional Awards

The Vermont School Counselor Association (VTSCA) is the state division of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). We recognize the best professionals in our field including: an outstanding school counselor of the year, a new school counselor of the year and a lifetime achievement award recipient. We acknowledge each counselor for the quality of service he/she provides students, families, schools and districts in which he/she works. By nominating a school counselor you are giving a well deserved tribute to a colleague. Additionally, winner of the VTSCA Outstanding School Counselor of the Year Award will be nominated to apply for the national American School Counselor Association School Counselor of the Year Award.

THE JAMES F. CAWLEY AWARD

Outstanding School Counselor of the Year so named in honor of the first recipient. It is presented in recognition of distinguished contributions to school counseling and acknowledge and honor those instrumental in bringing outstanding innovation's to the development of counseling in Vermont youth. Recognition criteria for nominating a school counselor for the James F. Cawley Award are as follows:

• The nominee must be a school counselor who is a current member of the Vermont School Counselor Association.
• The nominee must be currently employed as a full-time school counselor, in addition to practicing for more than five years in the field of school counseling.
• The nominee must hold a Master's Degree in school counseling.
• The nominee maintains high moral standards in the their personal and professional conduct.
• The nominee is responsible for school counseling innovations or further development of programs to support the academic, career and social/emotional development of all students.
• The nominee demonstrates leadership, advocacy and collaboration in their work promotes rigorous educational experiences for all students.

NEW SCHOOL COUNSELOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes a counselor who has been working in the field for five years or less and is recognized to have contributed outstanding service to the profession. Recognition criteria for nominating a school counselor for the New School Counselor Award are as follows:

• The nominee must be a school counselor who is a current member of the Vermont School Counselor Association.
• The nominee must be currently employed as a full-time school counselor and has been working in the field for five years or less.
• The nominee must hold a Master's Degree in school counseling.
• The nominee maintains high moral standards in the their personal and professional conduct.
• The nominee is responsible for school counseling innovations or further development of programs to support the academic, career and social/emotional development of all students.
• The nominee demonstrates leadership, advocacy and collaboration in their work promotes rigorous educational experiences for all students.

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award recognizes an outstanding counselor who is retired or one who has served in the field for over 20 years making a difference in young people's lives. Recognition criteria for nominating a school counselor for the Lifetime Achievement Award area as follows:

• Holds a Master's Degree or its equivalent.
• The nominee works or has worked as a school counselor for 20 years or more.
• The nominee maintains high moral standards in the their personal and professional conduct.
  
• The nominee has been responsible for innovations in professional school counseling programs, for providing leadership in the further development of existing school counseling programs or for performing outstanding service to the school or community.
• The nominee demonstrates leadership, advocacy and collaboration in their work promotes rigorous educational experiences for all students.
• The nominee demonstrates exemplary support and promotion of professional school counseling services.

Contact vtsca.publicrelations@gmail.com with any questions.