'Counselors Of The Year' Named At Douglas Schools

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — Three counselors at Douglas County public schools received the honor of being named Counselors of the Year on Tuesday.

For the first time, the award was named in memory of Emma Lagare Jordan, a beloved counselor in the school system for many years. The award is sponsored by the late Jordan's parents, Dr. Mary Sue Murray and Ed Murray.

Cedric Slay, of Sweetwater Elementary, was named 2016-17 elementary counselor of the year.

Slay has 19 years of experience in education, with 10 of those spent in counseling. He has spearheaded such events as Donuts For Dad at Sweetwater to encourage parental involvement.

Cedric Slay with Sweetwater Principal Teresa Martin and Assistant Principal Emily Felton

Jaslyn Dukes was named Middle School Counselor of the Year. Dukes, of Turner Middle School, coordinates Career Day at Turner each year, with the participation of more than 100 businesses and organizations.

The event is designed to motivate students to explore careers and to connect what they are learning in class with a future career path.

Jaslyn Dukes with Turner Middle School Principal Darron Franklin

The 2016-17 High School Counselor of the Year is Pamela Cummings from New Manchester High School.

After noticing that she was not well acquainted with the counselors from New Manchester’s feeder schools, Cummings organized a "meet and greet" event for the counselors to share concerns and strategize on ways to support each other.

This interaction has resulted in many collaborative events for New Manchester High School and the students and staff at the elementary and middle schools that feed into New Manchester.

Pamela Cummings with New Manchester High School Principal Marco Holland

Each year the school system recognizes an outstanding counselor at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Counselors are nominated by teachers, administrators, and staff from across the district.

The finalists then submit an application package including letters of recommendation and written responses to questions. Judges evaluate the applications according to a rubric.

Photos courtesy Douglas County Schools