The North Little Rock School District is joining leaders and districts across the state and nation in recognizing this week as “National School Counseling Week,” a time to bring public aware to the vast contributions that school counselors have made within schools, and most importantly, with students. This week highlights the vital role that school counselors play in guiding students and helping them plan for a career.
“We cannot adequately prepare our students for the world without our skilled and compassionate school counselors. The individuals in our district who serve as school counselors do a good job in motivating our students and empowering them to succeed,” said Bobby Acklin, Superintendent of the North Little Rock School District.
Governor Asa Hutchinson has declared February 4th through the 8th as “National School Counseling Week in Arkansas” through a Proclamation.
The Proclamation, which was presented to leaders of the Arkansas School Counselor Association, reads, in part: “Arkansas’s highest priority is to provide all of our children with an excellent education, and school counselors help to maximize the learning opportunities and experiences for all students, helping to ensure that they receive the first-rate education they deserve.”
On the national level, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has urged districts across the U.S. to celebrate the work of their school counselors. The Virginia-based nonprofit organization provides professional development, publications, research and advocacy to school counselors around the globe.
"School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career awareness in post-secondary options and social/emotional skills,” said Kwok-Sze Wong, Ed.D., ASCA executive director. “Comprehensive school counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success."
The following individuals serve as school counselors in the North Little Rock School District:
| Amboy | Mary Claire Welch |
| Boone Park | Kim Barton |
| Crestwood | Brandy Yeoman |
| Glenview | Whitney Patterson |
| Indian Hills | Jennifer Ushery |
| Lakewood | Mandy Fimple |
| Meadow Park | Elrette Watkins |
| Ridge Road | Marla Gladwin |
| Seventh Street | Karla Jones |
| NLR Academy | JoeAnn Harris |
| NLR Center of Excellence | Melody Cox |
| NLRMS/ 6th Grade | Tami Morris |
| NLRMS/ 7th & 8th Grade | Alicia Bailey Cindy Quarry |
| NLRHS | Cynthia Hampton Debbie Horton Lindsay Ledgerwood Gwen Leger Kendra Leirer Aaron Leverette |
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