Counseling Teams from Six Denton ISD Schools Earn Statewide Award for 14th Straight Year

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

Counselors at the Gonzalez School for Young Children, Hodge and Sam Houston Elementary, and Harpool and Strickland Middle Schools received the prestigious honor – marking the 14th consecutive year that at least one Denton ISD campus has received a CREST award.

In addition, counselors at Rodriguez Middle School earned the CREST Leadership Award, which marks the fourth consecutive year they earned the distinction of having an exemplary comprehensive counseling program.

“This is such an incredible accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work these counselors are doing to support our students and school community,” said Amy Lawrence, Director of Counseling and Social Work. “Their dedication and care make a true difference. Their passion for guiding and supporting students in meaningful ways is evident, and it’s inspiring to see the positive impact they’re having on the lives of so many.”

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.

The Rodriguez Middle School counseling staff consists of Stephani Mohon, Paige Darragh and Michael Rooney. Strickland Middle School’s counseling staff consists of Jennifer Brim, Bryonna Bridwell and Destinie Myers. Harpool Middle School’s counseling staff consists of Hope Lewis, Sara Sartor and Misti Price. Sam Houston Elementary’s counseling staff consists of Lacy Fraser, and Hodge Elementary’s counseling staff consists of Armandina Austin and Emily Basaldua. The counselor at the Gonzalez School for Young Children is Kasi Mack.