Counseling Teams at Four Schools Earn Statewide Award for 13th Straight Year

Counseling teams from four schools were recipients of the Texas School Counselor Association’s (TSCA) CREST Award, which annually recognizes the top counselors in the state.

Counselors at Shultz Elementary, Sam Houston Elementary, Rodriguez Middle School and Strickland Middle School received the prestigious honor – marking the 13th consecutive year that at least one Denton ISD campus has received a CREST Award. Each of the recipients was honored at the CREST luncheon, which is part of the annual TSCA Conference in San Antonio.

The CREST Award is a testament to these school counselors’ commitment to ensuring success for every student,” said Amy Lawrence, Director of Counseling Service. “By evaluating data, individualizing services and collaborating with community partners, these counselors have developed top-notch counseling programs. The CREST award highlights the importance of the school counselor role in supporting the academic, personal and career development of students. We are so proud of these counselors and their continued dedication to helping every student meet their full potential.”

The Rodriguez Middle School counseling staff consists of Stephani Mohon, Paige Darrah and Michael Rooney. Strickland Middle School’s counseling staff consists of Kelli Hauser, Jennifer Brim and Mandy Barton. Sam Houston Elementary’s counseling staff consists of Lacy Fraser, and Shultz Elementary’s counseling staff consists of Amelia Torres.

The CREST Award was introduced by the Texas School Counselor Association in 2005 to recognize excellence in school counseling.

CREST stands for Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas and is a program focusing on 10 areas where school counselors have the greatest impact on the achievements, career aspirations, personal gains and social aspects of students’ lives. The program helps counselors evaluate their current counseling guidelines and techniques while also promoting their services to students and parents.