For National School Counseling Week, we’d like to recognize our 2023 BCS School Counselors and School Social Worker of the Year. These talented professionals were recognized at our February board meeting last week.
Our elementary Counselor of the Year, Leah Davidson, has been a school counselor with us for nine years. Working with the students of West Buncombe Elementary, she has made an impression on children, families, and her colleagues. Her nominators write that:
“Leah goes above and beyond to make sure our students’ needs are met and that they are able to be successful within the classroom. She takes time with each student who needs her and will drop anything to help out - giving of her time, her talents, and her private resources. Our school and students (especially our sweet, and often “in need” students) are blessed by her in a kazillion ways! She is a problem solver. Leah offers strategies and counsels students. She has an amazing relationship and frequent contact with parents. She typifies everything a school counselor should be and do. Her heart is HUGE and we are so thankful to have her at West Buncombe!”
Buffy Weathington, our middle school Counselor of the Year, has served the students and families of BCS at Owen Middle School since 2010. Buffy came to us from the world of mental health which has enhanced her work as a school counselor. In the nominations she received, Buffy’s colleagues and agency partners told us:
“I can only describe Ms. Weathington as one of the most selfless humans that I know. She has an extraordinary knack of knowing just what a student needs to hear and presents it as they need to hear it. Counseling young adults is a difficult task and she has implemented so many things that make sure that our students at OMS know how to center themselves and think positively about all situations. Buffy is such an amazing counselor for our students”
Our High School Counselor of the Year, Elizabeth “Libby” Wicker, has been a school counselor with BCS since 2013. Libby has worked in a couple of schools but is now an important part of the Erwin High School school and community. Despite the incredible workload of a high school counselor, you will never see Libby without a smile on her face. When nominating Libby, her colleagues told us:
“Libby works above and beyond in her role to help students be successful, comfortable, knowledgeable, and confident. She helps students with 504s, she works with her entire caseload, and helps other students that reach out to her to make sure they're ready for graduation and postsecondary goals, she works with teachers to move students around to be successful in their classes, and she is kind and friendly the entire time. She drives activity buses, speaks Spanish, helps direct registration, leads AP testing, and countless other duties. Libby is a gentle soul with a unique approach to our high school students. She is thorough, intentional, and focused in her service to the students at Erwin High School. She is so selfless and so helpful and really uplifts the environment of our school!
Lauren Ward is our BCS School Social Worker of the Year. Lauren has also worked with us since 2013. She is currently the School Social Worker at Reynolds High. Lauren brings quiet confidence to her work with high schoolers and their families. Lauren’s nominators shared:
“Lauren is an inspiring, hard-working, and smart practitioner. I can't imagine a person working more thoughtfully with students, families, and teachers. Mrs. Ward continuously goes above and beyond for our students. She builds meaningful relationships that help students succeed in the classroom while feeling safe and taken care of. She communicates with teachers/staff regarding student needs and is one of my go-to's when seeking advice or guidance on specific students. She is a key contributor at our school, and one of the people I look up to most. Lauren is tireless in her efforts to serve as many students as she can and never seems to lose energy or passion for helping students and families, despite immense challenges and setbacks”
Thanks to our Director of Student Services, Dr. Shane Cassida, for this information!