Mantua – Lynne Morrison, a guidance counselor at Crestwood Middle School, was recently named the Ohio School Counselor of the Year. The honor was bestowed on Morrison by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in order to recognize and honor the best school counselors across the nation.
According to ASCA Executive Director Richard Wong, the role of school counselors has evolved over the past 20 years. In years past, he contended, counselors were charged with helping a handful of students prepare for college, or assisting students deal with issues that impeded their education. Today’s school counselors are more integrated into the fabric of schools, vital to the success of every student.
The process began when Stanton Middle School counselor Carly Frey in Kent nominated Morrison to the State association, the Ohio School Counselor Association (OSCA). After that, Morrison submitted an application, along with a video highlighting her work at CMS. As a result, Morrison was awarded both the Middle School Counselor of the year award and the Ohio School Counselor of the year award by the OSCA. “The competition for this distinction is fierce,” explained Morrison’s CMS colleague Kim Marfy. “There are 613 school districts on Ohio.”
“She is an amazing school counselor and truly so deserving of this honor.”
“I am so very proud of Lynne,” shared Julie Schmidt, Principal of Crestwood Middle School. “She is an amazing school counselor and truly so deserving of this honor.” According to Schmidt, Morrison plays an integral role in the school and community, with a strong focus on student wellness and academic success. As the CMS counselor, she conducts classroom guidance lessons at each grade level on topics such as bullying/tolerance, Internet safety, drugs/alcohol prevention, college/career readiness, and study skills.
In addition, Morrison serves as the Building Standardized Test Coordinator and coordinates with outside service providers like Children’s Advantage, Job & Family Services, and local law enforcement to ensure that students and families receive the assistance they need. Morrison also conducts student small group and individual counseling for grief, family changes, and academic assistance. Outside of her school day responsibilities, she has organized and helped implement school wide assemblies related to positive self image, anti-bullying, caring for others and internet safety.
Morrison and other winners from across the country were honored at a program with Michelle Obama and other celebrities at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.; they also attended a gala in their honor at Union Station that evening.
“The entire experience has been amazing,” Morrison marveled. “Meeting Michelle Obama was definitely a highlight. I was so impressed with her laid back demeanor and her passion for supporting public education and our nation’s youth.”
“Mrs. Morrison is always available for assistance, is always smiling, and is always problem solving,” Schmidt marveled. “Her knowledge regarding our student and family needs and concerns makes her a valuable member of our staff and she is appreciated among her peers and students.”
