RV's Dawn Flanagan named Burlco's Counselor of the Year

Rancocas Valley Regional High School (RVRHS) Guidance Coordinator Dawn Flanagan’s dedication to assisting students, their families and the community has earned her the title Counselor of the Year by the Burlington County School Counselors Association (BCSCA).

Flanagan was selected for the award by her peers at the association based on her outstanding record and commitment to the profession. The BCSCA will honor Flanagan at their annual spring luncheon in May, and she will also be recognized at an upcoming event hosted by the New Jersey School Counselor Association. Flanagan is a member of both organizations.

Flanagan has been a counselor at RVRHS for 21 years and works diligently to address students’ mental health, emotional concerns, academics and personal/social issues. She said she is honored and humbled to receive Counselor of the Year from the BCSCA.

“I am so happy to represent RVRHS with this award,” said Flanagan. “Whether it be a sounding board for students, to provide resources or assist students in making their own decisions, I strive to provide a comfortable space for students. They need to be able to share their concerns, knowing they are 100% safe with me.”

Flanagan said most students share concerns related to mental health and anxiety, including relationships with peers, academic and social stress, family issues and performance pressure. Feeling connected and establishing a positive and inclusive school environment are key to improving students’ mental health, she said.

RVRHS Superintendent Chris Heilig, Ed.D., said Flanagan’s contributions have made a positive impact on the students’ lives.

“Dawn’s commitment to guidance, support and mentorship sets a high standard for others, reflected in this well-deserved acknowledgment,” said Heilig. “Her passion for helping students navigate RVRHS, and their time after RVRHS, and her unwavering dedication has earned her colleagues' respect and high regard.”

In addition to supporting students, Flanagan is the go-to for colleagues. As the guidance coordinator, she also handles generating the master schedule each year for RV’s 2000+ students. She is the home instruction coordinator, handles summer school registrations and disseminates information about Dual Enrollment registrations with Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC), among several other responsibilities.

Flanagan is a member of the RV Community Alliance committee, which is a follow-up to the National Center for Safe Supportive Schools committee previously formed at the district with national grant funding. In 2017, she was named the Educational Services Professional of the Year at RVRHS.

Flanagan earned a bachelor's degree in math education from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in school counseling from Wilmington University. She has New Jersey certifications for K-8 Elementary Education, K-12 Mathematics Education and K-12 School Counseling.

Her husband, Jay, also works at RVRHS as an English teacher and the Boys Varsity Basketball coach. She has one daughter, Kelly, who is a 2nd grade teacher. They reside in Mount Laurel.
For more information about RVRHS, visit https://www.rvrhs.com