May 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027
AnnaGrace Baldwin
Executive Director
AnnaGrace Baldwin was born and raised in the Birmingham area. She graduated from Birmingham-Southern College (1995), where she majored in history and math, minored in music, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. As a lifelong learner, she holds two Master’s degrees: Math Secondary Education (1996) and Community/Agency Counseling (2001), both from the University of Montevallo. In 2007, she earned an Ed.S. degree in School Counseling (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), an American School Counselor Association Certified School Counselor (ACSC), and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S).
AnnaGrace began her professional career as a middle school math teacher. She served as a counselor in an adolescent residential facility in Shelby County before returning back to the school setting. She has been a school counselor at Homewood Middle School since 2007. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and enjoys every opportunity to present to graduate students.
AnnaGrace has served the Alabama School Counselor Association since 2014 in a variety of appointed and elected roles, including: President (2018-19), Professional Development Committee Assistant Chair, Communications Committee Assistant Chair (website), Vice-President Middle/Junior High School, Professional Recognition Chair, and the Bylaws and Handbook Review Committee Chair. She has also served as the ALCA Chapter IV Secretary. AnnaGrace has presented at the local, state, and national level and is an active member of several professional organizations, including: the Alabama School Counselor Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the Alabama Counseling Association. During her time at Homewood Middle School, the School Counseling Program has earned the RAVE (Recognition of Accountability and Verification of Excellence) Bronze (2016), Silver (2017), and Gold (2018) Awards. The program was also designated as an Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction in 2019 and 2024 and earned RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) designation from the American School Counselor Association in 2020 and 2025. AnnaGrace was very honored to have been named the 2019 Alabama Secondary Counselor of the Year and the 2021 Alabama School Counselor of the Year. She has also been the recipient of the ALSCA Outstanding Member Award, the Dr. Ervin “Chip” Wood Distinguished Professional Service Award, and the ALCA Outstanding Practitioner Award.
AnnaGrace lives in Birmingham with her husband, son, and their fur-babies. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, creative projects, being outside, and learning new things.
Patrice Davis
Chair of the Board of Directors
Elections Committee Chair
Patrice Davis is a recent retiree of the Baldwin County Public School System. After graduating from the University of South Alabama in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Language Arts, she furthered her studies at the University of South Alabama where she graduated in 1995 with a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in Language Arts. In 1996, she received certification in school counseling from the University of South Alabama; and in 1999, she received certification in administration/supervision from Alabama State University. In 1998, she graduated from the University of South Alabama with her Educational Specialist degree as an Instructional Specialist in Secondary Language Arts. In addition to these educational achievements, Patrice is a 2007 graduate of the University of Alabama Superintendents’ Academy.
During her thirty-one-year career in the Baldwin County Public School System, Patrice served as an English teacher at Fairhope High School; a counselor at Bay Minette Middle School; and an assistant principal and principal at Bay Minette Middle School. She also served as the Intervention Supervisor and the Prevention and Support Services Coordinator, whereby she supervised the school counselors, school social workers, transition liaison coach, homebound teachers, on campus suspension aides, school resource counselor for Section 504 Services, and the Mental Health Services Coordinator. In addition, she served as the Section 504 Compliance Coordinator and the Homebound Services Coordinator for the district, as well as the administrator for the At-Risk Budget.
Since 2019, Patrice has served on the Alabama School Counselor Association Governing Board in a variety of roles and on multiple committees including: Professional Development Committee, ALCA Program Selection Chair, Bylaws and Operating Policies Review Committee, Advocacy Committee Assistant Chair, Finance Committee, Elections Committee Chair, and Counselor Supervisor Vice President. She has served as the President, and she is currently serving as the Chair of the Board.
Patrice is also the recipient of several awards, which include: Administrator/Supervisor of the Year (2018) from the Alabama School Counselor Association, Wilbur A. Tincher Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person (2022) from the Alabama Counseling Association, Fannie R. Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development (2023) from the Alabama Counseling Association, Community Hero Award (2023) from United Way of Baldwin County, and 40/40 Awards Honoree (2023) from Focus Empowers.
Prior to her retirement, Patrice lent her time to several civic and community organizations in Baldwin County. She is a Past Chairman for the Board of Directors for the United Way of Baldwin County, and she is also a past President of the Board of Directors for the Snook Youth Club of Foley. She was a member of the Board of Directors for Baldwin County’s Child Advocacy Center, and she was also a member of the Baldwin County Underage Drinking Task Force. In addition, she served on the Baldwin County Community Alliance, of which she was one of the charter members.
Patrice is a lifelong resident of Mobile, Alabama. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, shopping, and traveling.
Autumn Rowe
Assistant Chair of the Board of Directors • Treasurer
Finance Committee Chair • Publicity Committee – Social Media Lead • Awards Program Committee – Awards Breakfast Lead
Autumn Rowe is a dedicated and compassionate school counselor committed to supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. She has over twenty years of experience in education and counseling and a proven track record of fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. Autumn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from The University of North Alabama and completed her Master’s degree in School Counseling, also from The University of North Alabama. She also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from The University of West Alabama. She has relevant certifications in counseling and has participated in numerous professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in the field.
Autumn currently serves as the 9–12 school counselor at Athens Renaissance School in Athens, Alabama, where she is passionate about helping students thrive in a unique, flexible learning environment.
Since joining the Alabama School Counselor Association Governing Board in 2017, Autumn has taken on a range of roles and responsibilities. She currently serves as Assistant Chair of the Board and Treasurer, leveraging her leadership skills and dedication to advancing the school counseling profession.
At home, she enjoys spending time with her beloved dogs, and believes that laughter, kindness, and a strong cup of coffee can make any day brighter.
Winnie Davis
Parliamentarian
Bylaws and Operating Policies Review Committee Chair
Winnie Davis, MA, LPC, RPT, NCC, NBCT is a District Mental Health Counselor in the Hoover City School System. A graduate of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Winnie obtained her B.S. in Psychology (1996) and her M.A. in Agency Counseling (2000). Before becoming a school counselor, Winnie spent 6 years counseling children/adolescents who experienced physical and/or sexual abuse, and 3 years as an intervention/behavioral counselor helping foster families.
A school counselor for 15 years, at both the elementary and middle school levels, Winnie is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in School Counseling. Giving back to the counseling profession, Winnie has served on the Governing Board for the Alabama School Counselor Association since 2014 as Membership Assistant Chair, ALCA Awards Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Winnie also volunteers as a mentor to others looking to further their counseling career.
Winnie lives in Helena, AL with her husband, Kenneth; daughters, Kennedy and Karrington; and two cats, Destin and Dusty. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and going to the beach.
Malti Tuttle
Secretary
Legacy Committee Chair
Dr. Malti Tuttle is an Associate Professor and the School Counseling Program Coordinator at Auburn University. She earned her Master’s in School Counseling from Auburn University and Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia.
She holds Professional Educator Certificates in School Counseling and Educational Leadership and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and National Certified School Counselor. She has over 20 years of educational experience which includes serving as a teacher, school counselor, and counselor educator.
Amy Davis
At-Large Director
Amy Davis, PhD, LPC, SB-RPT is a high school counselor in north Alabama. She has 10+ years as a school counselor at the primary and secondary levels. Prior to becoming a school counselor, she was a high school teacher for 10 years.
Dr. Davis has extensive training and a certification in School-Based Play Therapy. She has a PhD in counselor education from the University of Alabama and an MA in school counseling from the University of North Alabama. She taught Counselor Education at the University of North Alabama for six years. In addition to teaching, Dr. Davis has been seeing children and adolescents part time since 2021 at her private practice, Sweetwater Counseling and Consulting.
Dr. Davis is a past president of the Alabama Association for Play Therapy and an active member of many counseling organizations. Her research interests include school counseling, play therapy in the school settings, aggressive toys in play therapy, and bibliotherapy. She has presented on these topics at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
Kristy McLain
At-Large Director
Membership Development & Support Committee Chair
Kristy McLain, Ed.S., LPC, NCC, ACSC, BCBA, LBA is a School Counselor in the Mobile County Public Schools System. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology (2011) and her Master of Education degree in School Counseling (2015) from The University of South Alabama. In 2016, she completed the Applied Behavior Analyst Graduate Certificate Program at The University of West Florida; and in 2019, she completed the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate Program at The University of South Alabama. In 2021, she graduated from The University of West Alabama with her Education Specialist degree in School Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, an ASCA Certified School Counselor, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and a Licensed Behavior Analyst.
Kristy began her career in education over 15 years ago, originally working with special needs children before transitioning to her role as an elementary school counselor. In 2021, Kristy and her school counseling team at E.R. Dickson Elementary School earned the Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction Award. In 2022, they earned RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program) from the American School Counselor Association. In recognition of being an outstanding educator, she was a recipient of the MCPSS Giving Tree Award in 2024.
Kristy previously served the Alabama School Counselor Association as Chair of the Hospitality Committee (2023-2024) and Assistant Chair of the Membership Development and Support Committee (2024-2025). She is excited to be serving her second year on the Alabama School Counselor Association Board of Directors and to continue as Chair of the Membership Development and Support Committee. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including: the Alabama School Counselor Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the Alabama Counseling Association.
Kristy lives in Mobile with her large blended family and 6 fur babies. She enjoys listening to music, going to the beach, traveling, and watching college football.
Laura Reina
At-Large Director
Volunteer Committee Chair
Laura Reina is a school counselor with Alabaster City Schools. She graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Psychology and the University of Montevallo with a M.Ed. in Counseling. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in School Counseling. Laura has over twenty years of experience as a school counselor.
Since 2014, she has served the Alabama School Counselor Association in a variety of roles and committees – Professional Development Committee Assistant Chair, Historian, and Government and Professional Relations Committee. She is excited to serve on the Board of Directors.
In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, traveling and watching college football with friends.
Amy Upton
At-Large Director
Ethics Committee Chair
Dr. Amy Upton is an Assistant Professor of Instruction and School Counseling Coordinator at the University of South Alabama and is beginning her 12th year in this position. Dr Upton received her master’s degree and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Old Dominion University and worked for 15 years as a middle school and high school counselor in Virginia.
Dr. Upton has served on the ALSCA Governing Board since 2016 and now serves on the Board of Directors of ALSCA as the Ethics Committee Chair. She passionately believes in the importance of the profession of counseling and specifically the impact that school counselors can have on students. Her areas of interest are professional identity development, ethical and legal issues in school counseling, multicultural competence, and advocacy for students and the profession.
Dr. Upton has four children, three grandchildren and and lives in Daphne AL.
Stephen Watts
At-Large Director
Advocacy Committee Chair • Awards Program Committee – Awards Process Lead
Stephen Watts serves as the District Registrar of the Mobile County Public School System. Stephen has served as a high school English teacher as well as a middle and high school counselor and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/English-Language Arts, a master’s degree in School Counseling (both from the University of South Alabama), and an Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama. He also holds certification in Instructional Leadership.
Stephen is the 2025 Alabama School Counselor of the Year and is an ASCA Certified School Counselor (ACSC). While serving as a high school counselor, Stephen saw his high school counseling program achieve both Program of Distinction status and the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. As a school counselor, Stephen values connecting students to resources that empower them and allow them to advocate for themselves in the school setting and beyond.
A Mobile County native, Stephen lives in Mobile County with his wife, Natalie, and two children, Denver and Everly. Stephen enjoys being involved in music and worship in church, traveling with his family, and finding good eats.
Ben Graham
ALCA Liaison
Publicity Committee – Technology Lead
Ben Graham is a school counselor in Shelby County Schools. He earned his B.S. in Materials Engineering and his M.A. in School Counseling from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He grew up in the Birmingham area, graduating from Moody High School. Previously, he has served as the Vice President of Elementary School Counseling and the Chair of Professional Recognition for the Alabama School Counselor Association. He is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Ben lives in Birmingham, is married, has a son, and a dog.
Cindy Davis
Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction Coordinator
Cindy Davis was a school counselor and counseling coordinator for 28 years. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher (School Counseling).
Cindy has been training school counselors in the ASCA National Model and the Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction for 5 years. She is also an ASCA lead RAMP reviewer.
Cindy has been recognized as the Alabama Counseling Association Distinguished Professional Service Award (2019 and 2021), ALSCA Counselor Advocate of the Year (2016), Alabama Counseling Association Fannie R. Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development (2016), American School Counselor of the Year Finalist by the American School Counselor Association (2008) and Alabama Elementary School Counselor of the Year (2007).
Shelly Johnson
Professional Development Coordinator
Shelly Johnson, M.Ed., LPC, NCC is a School Counselor with Hoover City Schools. She graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1996 with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education and in 2000 with an M.Ed. in Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.
Since 1990, Shelly has served Alabama’s youth as a school counselor, agency counselor, residential counselor, teacher, and recreational staff. Her personal and professional development have greatly benefitted from working with students of all ages—preschool through college. Her passion for helping youth, their families, and the school counselors who serve them motivated her involvement at the local, state, and national levels.
Shelly has served with the Alabama School Counselor Association in various leadership roles since 2011, as a volunteer speaker for human trafficking awareness since 2014, and as a member on various state task forces and initiatives. Her career journey has forged a unique lens to observe critical issues facing students today and has served as a vehicle for her work in addressing those issues.
In her free time, Shelly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening, traveling, and attending music and sporting events.
Sean Stevens
ALSDE Liaison