Stamford Public Schools' Rebecca Wilson Named CSCA Administrator Of The Year

Press release from Stamford Public Schools:

The Stamford Public Schools are pleased to congratulate Rebecca Wilson for being named the Connecticut School Counselor Association’s 2022 Administrator of the Year.

“I was absolutely thrilled, but in no way surprised, to learn that Rebecca was named Administrator of the Year by CSCA,” said Amy Beldotti, associate superintendent for teaching and learning. “This is wonderful recognition of her work leading our school counseling department in providing a high-quality, equitable counseling experience for our middle and high school students.”

Ms. Wilson, who has been with the Stamford Public Schools since 2002, is the school district’s Coordinator of College & Career Readiness/School Counselor Services.

In this position, she leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program. Part of her job involves developing training for teachers, counselors, and administrators. She also oversees all of Stamford’s college and career readiness programs.

“I come to work each day because I’m drawn to purposes that have an impact and I enjoy working around people who feel the same,” Ms. Wilson said. “The people I work with every day are just as committed to making an impact, so it inspires and challenges me. I know I have been called to do the work I am doing and want to do the best that I can for our students and families.”

In nominating Ms. Wilson for the award, Olympia Della Flora the associate superintendent for school development, wrote “Rebecca Wilson is a role model not just for staff but also for students and families. She goes above and beyond to make sure that any academic and social emotional barriers that exist are addressed so that all students can achieve their goals. Ms. Wilson is unafraid to be authentic while also having critical conversations that are much needed to continue progress towards college and career readiness for all students.”

Ms. Wilson, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart university and a master’s degree from Fordham University, is working toward her doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision. She said she made this her life’s work because of the impact she can have on students.

“I chose to become a school counselor because I knew I would have access to hundreds of students and wanted to give back what was given to me when I was a student while attending Stamford Schools,” she said. “These are some of the same things that inspired me to be an educator. I also felt a longing to give what I didn’t get and wish that I had. The teenagers brought me great joy and taught me so much. They gave me more than I could ever give them. I am still in touch with many of my former students who are now amazing adults.”

Tim Vale, who heads Stamford’s middle school counselors department, wrote in his nomination, “Rebecca Wilson was the leader of the movement to have a school counseling framework for the Stamford Public Schools. She always takes the approach of being proactive by reaching out to the social -emotional, and academic and career needs of all students. Her dedication to the field is evidenced in so many ways. As a leader she empowers others to be stronger professionals. She can impart wisdom yet remains humble. She challenges others in a professional way asking the counselors to be uncomfortable understanding this is a necessity for growth trying new approaches even in the face of resistance. Rebecca’s impacts school counselors on a broad level through her communication with the community, administration, students, and school counselors. We are lucky to have her leadership.”

The Connecticut School Counselor Association promotes excellence in professional school counseling by advocating for the role and programs of school counselors and by demonstrating leadership in developing new and supportive services and programs for its members. The role of the professional school counselor is to foster student growth in academic, personal/social and career development so they achieve successes in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.

This press release was produced by Stamford Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.