Springdale Public Schools

It is has been such a wonderful National Counselors Week! We are celebrating Kim Emerson, the school counselor at Hunt Elementary where her building has written a special poem for her! Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

Cassidy Rucker (left), Eric Spradlin (center), Sandy Milner (right), share their favorite things about being a counselor at Westwood Elementary for National Counselors Week. For Sandy, a student came back after they had graduated to tell Sandy that she saved her life and find lifelong friends through counseling. Eric says, "Knowing that that in a small way, we are a part of implementing a positive change within our classroom, students, teachers, and families is so rewarding." Cassidy says, "Seeing small progress makes a big difference in a child's life." Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

Happy National Counselors Week! At the Don Tyson School of Innovation, we are celebrating Kailee Stonerbarger (left), Allawayne Hunter (right), and Tara Elzer (not pictured). "I love students and being able to help them out. There are so many amazing opportunities and programs for students at DTSOI. It's a great place to be," Allawayne said. Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

For Jena Anderson at Parson Hills, being a counselor is all about the kids and building school culture. "We just had Kindness Week! I think that school counselors get to help set the tone for the culture of the school through the relationships that are built with the students." Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

At Southwest Jr. High, school counselors Lisa Lentz (left), Ruth Trainor (center), Valarie Gregory (right), are making sure that students have the tools they need to prepare for the beginning of adulthood. Lisa says, "Connecting with students and building a relationship is so important. We do it for the students." Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

We salute Lakeside Jr. High counselors, Sheri Neil and Lauren Willis (unpictured) during National School Counselors Week! Sheri Neil has been with the district for over 30 years and five of them have been with Lakeside as the school counselor. Sheri says that she loves being a school counselor because she loves to "help students find ways to make their own lives the best it can be." Seeing a life change makes counseling so rewarding to Sheri. Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

We are celebrating Veronica Santillo and Gina Little, the school counselors at the Early Childhood Center for National Counselors Week! Veronica shared why she became a counselor. She said, "I noticed there was a piece missing in my students and it was the social emotional learning aspect. I went into counseling to become a better teacher and ended up loving being a counselor." Gina says the most rewarding part of being a counselor is "seeing the growth in our students in such a short amount of time. It is amazing." Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

After two years as the school counselor at Young Elementary, Ashley Nelson shares her favorite part about being a counselor. She says, "I want to be a helper for kids! I want to be here for them, support them, watch them grow, and learn. Our students are our future." Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Stephanie Bentley is celebrating her 9th year at Bayyari Elementary School. Stephanie is excited to serve the Marshallese community in Springdale because prior to becoming a school counselor, she served in the Pacific in the Peace Corps! We are lucky to have Stephanie. Happy National Counselors Week! Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Suzanne Cartwright is celebrating 14 years as the school counselor at Jones Elementary! Suzanne says, "I love these kids. It is so refreshing to be around how sweet they are. They need someone to talk to and to listen to them. I'm glad I get to do that." Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Seniors from Springdale High, Har-Ber High, and the Don Tyson School of Innovation met with industry leaders from Tyson Foods, Marrs Electric, DC Sparks Construction, Butterfield Trail Village, Arvest, McDonald's Corporate, Summit Trucking, the University of Arkansas, NWACC, and many more to help find their futures at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce Student Expo Event. #THEChoice

Emily Couture, the school counselor at Harp Elementary, shares what she loves about being a counselor during National Counselors Week. She says, "I love seeing the kids use coping and problem solving skills that I have taught them. the hallways, and the cafeteria. When teachers tell me that the students are using these skills in the classroom, that's even better." Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Carla Tate, the school counselor at Knapp Elementary, celebrates National School Counselors Week with second graders during a classroom lesson. Mrs. Tate says favorite part of being a counselor is "being available for the students who need help or have worries. I was that student and I didn't have counselors in school growing up. I want to be there for the kids." Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Jennifer Mills, a third grade teacher at Jones Elementary, is the Taking Roots Award. It recognizes and thanks teachers who are role models in the science of reading, teaching and learning. Presenting the award are Assistant Superintendent Maribel Childress. Innovative teachers help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

We appreciate all of our counselors! At Smith Elementary School, Maryanne Mabry talked about the importance of having a counselor at school. She says, "Students need someone outside of the classroom teacher or a school administrator to talk to and can focus on their emotional needs. Almost all of my interactions with students are positive!" Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Happy National Counselors Week! Aaron French is celebrating his fourth year as the school counselor at Archer Learning Center. Graduation night is one Aaron's favorite memories as a school counselor. "There are smiles on all of the students' faces and smiles on the faces of their parents." Great counselors are another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.

Prior to joining Turnbow Elementary as the school counselor six years ago, Sarah Gheen was with Ozark Guidance as a school based mental health therapist. After switching over to the school side of counseling, Sarah says, "My favorite part of being a school counselor are the hugs I get from the children everyday all day long!" Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

LeighAnne Mckee and Emma Davis both agree that relationships are the most important thing with it comes to being counselors. LeighAnne has been a counselor since Hellstern Middle opened in 2005 and this is Emma's first year. Emma says, "Students go through so much in middle school that they don't understand." "Students have to have someone to go to, to build trust, and a relationship with," says LeighAnne. Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

Catie Jenkins has been the school counselor at Shaw Elementary School for five years. To ensure long term success for students, Catie says that her favorite part about being a counselor is "working with parents and teachers to give students the tools they need to be successful that will carry through childhood and as they become adults." Great counselors (and Kashi the therapy dog) help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.

Happy National School Counselors Week! Ericka Fuentes reflects on her past four years at Lee Elementary School as the school counselor. She says “Growing up and being in school, I felt that if I had a little extra support when life got tough, things would have been smoother for me. I do what I do because I want to be able to provide that kind of support for our students and our school.” Great counselors help make Springdale Public Schools #THEChoice.