Annual Awards

General Information

The Alabama School Counselor Association accepts nominations for our annual awards through a selection process beginning in February of each year. We accept nominations for the following awards which are presented at the ALSCA Annual Awards Breakfast at the annual ALSCA Critical Issues Conference. The Alabama School Counselor of the Year and the Asa Sparks New School Counselor of the Year are required to be members of ALSCA by the submission deadline.

Alabama School Counselor of the Year recognizes a school counselor in a K-12 school who has served as a school counselor for at least three (3) years.

All nominees for the Alabama School Counselor of the Year must have been a practicing school counselor for more than three (3) years. The submission for this award is completed through the ALSCA Awards Portal and is aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselor of the Year Award. The recipient of this award will be Alabama’s nominee for the ASCA School Counselor of the Year.

Submissions for the following awards are also completed through the ALSCA Awards Portal, however, these submissions are completed through the “Other Awards” link based on the posted directions and guidelines.

Asa Sparks New School Counselor of the Year recognizes a school counselor in a K-12 school who has been in the position for no more than three (3) years.

School Counselor Advocate of the Year recognizes a person or persons who has/have given extraordinary support for school counselors and/or school counseling programs. This support could be from a supervisor who operates in an administrative capacity in a K-12 school system or from school-based volunteer groups (such as parent-teacher associations). This support could also be community-based or could stem from political action.

ALSCA Nominations for ALCA Awards

All chapters, divisions, and affiliates of the Alabama Counseling Association (ALCA) are encouraged to submit nominations for the ALCA Annual Awards. The Alabama School Counselor Association submits nominations for these awards through the ALSCA Board of Directors. ALSCA members may submit nominations for consideration by contacting us at: info@alabamaschoolcounselors.org.

Nominees and award winners are recognized at the ALCA Annual Awards Breakfast at the ALCA Conference. All nominees and ALCA members are encouraged to attend this celebration of counselors from across the state.

ALSCA Annual Awards Recipients

Asa Sparks New Counselor of the Year

2025 – Addison Faith Hammons, Peter F. Alba Middle School, Mobile County Public Schools
2024 – Alicia Newman Chitty, Windham Elementary School, Daleville City Schools
2023 – Sarah Siddiqi, Spanish Fort Middle School, Baldwin County Schools
2022 – Sarah “Sadie” Sturdivant, Columbia Elementary School, Madison City Schools
2021 – Carissa Davis, Midtown Elementary School, Madison City Schools
2020 – LaTiffany Richardson, Northridge Middle School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
2019 – Cammie Adams, Fairhope High School, Baldwin County Public Schools
2018 – Jan Gay, Summerdale School, Baldwin County Public Schools
2017 – Daniel Birdsong, Creek View Elementary School, Alabaster City Schools
2016 – Amy McIntyre, Hewitt-Trussville Middle School, Trussville City Schools
2015 – Sylvia Hollins, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools – Elementary, Tuscaloosa City Schools
2014 – Ellen Maple, Hall-Kent Elementary School, Homewood City Schools
2013 – Gwendolyn Bethea, Mobile County Training School, Mobile County Schools
2012 – Rachel Rosenberg, Harvest Elementary School, Madison County Schools

Alabama School Counselor of the Year

2025 – Jennifer R. Swafford, Cleburne County Middle School, Cleburne County Schools
2024 – Kimberly Jones, Nan Gray Davis Elementary School, Mobile County Public Schools

Counselor Advocate of the Year

2025 – Robbie Durr, Chickasaw City Schools
2024 – Jill Edwards, Florence City Schools
2023 – Andrea Markham, Tuscaloosa City Schools
2021 – Monica Mack, Alabama State Department of Education, Montgomery
2020 – Monica Motley, Mobile County Public Schools
2019 – Sean Stevens, Alabama State Department of Education, Montgomery
2018 – Shelly Johnson, Helena Elementary School and Helena Intermediate School, Shelby County Schools
2017 – Dr. Susan Patrick, Cullman County Schools
2016 – Cindy Davis, Madison City Schools
2015 – Meg Smith, Alabama State Department of Education, Montgomery
2014 – Kaleb Owens and Katie Jewart, Career Coaches, Calhoun Community College, Huntsville
2012 – B.T. Drake, Virgil I. Grissom High School, Huntsville City Schools

Alabama’s Nominee for ASCA School Counselor of the Year
Beginning in 2025, the Alabama School Counselor of the Year became the nominee for this award.

2024 – Stephen Watts, Jr.
2023 – Diana Virgil
2022 – Rebecca Johnson
2021 – Terri Coleman
2020 – AnnaGrace Baldwin
2019 – Hayden Belisle
2018 – Elizabeth Shaddix
2017 – Mindi Amberson
2016 – Karron Standridge
2015 – Christi Jones, Constance Pewee-Childs, and Amanda Yearwood

Elementary School Counselor of the Year
This award was incorporated into the Alabama School Counselor of the Year Award in 2024.

2023 – Kate Wellborn, Fairhope West Elementary School, Baldwin County Schools
2022 – Kim Crumbley, Parkside School, Cullman County Schools
2021 – Rebecca Johnson, Daphne Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
2020 – Terri Coleman, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover City Schools
2019 – Laura Reina, Thompson Intermediate School, Alabaster City Schools
2018 – Hayden Belisle, Oak Mountain Elementary School, Shelby County Schools
2017 – Elizabeth Shaddix, West Elementary School, Cullman City Schools
2016 – Mindi Amberson, Wellborn Elementary School, Calhoun County Schools
2015 – Poppy Moon, The Capitol School, Tuscaloosa (private school)
2014 – Christi Jones, Dadeville Elementary School, Dadeville City Schools
2013 – Maegan Vick, Helena Elementary School, Shelby County Schools
2012 – Christy Lessley, Dean Road Elementary School, Auburn City Schools

Secondary School Counselor of the Year
This award was incorporated into the Alabama School Counselor of the Year Award in 2024.

2023 – Stephen Watts, Jr., Citronelle High School, Mobile County Public Schools
2022 – Diana Virgil, Daleville High School, Daleville City Schools
2021 – Brandi Shanklin, Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa County Public Schools
2020 – Amanda Yearwood, West Point High School, Cullman County Schools
2019 – AnnaGrace Baldwin, Homewood Middle School, Homewood City Schools
2018 – Dana Waldrop, Pleasant Grove High School, Jefferson County Schools

Middle School/Junior High School Counselor of the Year
This award was incorporated into the Secondary School Counselor of the Year Award in 2018.

2017 – Denise Perry, Eastwood Middle School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
2016 – Susan Beard, Thompson Sixth Grade Center, Alabaster City Schools
2015 – Jessica Shields, Holtville Middle School, Deatsville City Schools
2014 – Constance Pewee-Childs, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools – Middle, Tuscaloosa City Schools
2013 – Sandra Carr, Whitesburg P8, Huntsville City Schools
2012 – Sharon Lyerly, Mountain Brook Junior High School, Mountain Brook City Schools

High School Counselor of the Year
This award was incorporated into the Secondary School Counselor of the Year Award in 2018.

2017 – Arlene Merry, Florence Freshman Center, Florence City Schools
2016 – Dr. Taqua Lewis, Center Point High School, Jefferson County Schools
2015 – Karron Standridge, Hayden High School, Blount County Schools
2014 – Amanda Yearwood, West Point High School, Cullman County Schools
2013 – Tiffany Gibson-Pitts, Auburn High School, Auburn City Schools
2012 – Nancy Wolfe, Huntsville High School, Huntsville City Schools

Counselor Administrator/Supervisor of the Year
This award was incorporated into the Counselor Advocate of the Year Award beginning in 2024.

2023 – April Tolbert, Shelby County Schools
2022 – Stephanie Allen, Madison City Schools
2021 – Karen Pinion, Cullman County Schools
2020 – Kimberly Walker, Mobile County Public Schools
2019 – Dr. Clarissa Wright-Reese, Birmingham City Schools
2018 – Patrice Davis, Baldwin County Public Schools
2017 – Dr. Amy Upton, University of South Alabama
2016 – Dr. Stephanie Bostick, Elmore County Schools
2015 – Dr. Richard Ferguson, Marshall County Board of Education
2014 – Dr. Stoney Beavers, Blount County Board of Education

ALSCA Recipients of ALCA Awards

2025 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Website, AnnaGrace Baldwin, Executive Director
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Autumn Rowe

2024 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Website, AnnaGrace Baldwin, Executive Director
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Program Award – 2024 ALSCA Virtual Learning Series (VLS24), Shelly Johnson, Professional Development Coordinator
Outstanding Practitioner Award – AnnaGrace Baldwin
Wilbur A. Tincher Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person – Robbie Durr
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Patrice Davis
ALCDA Outstanding Member – Robbie Durr

2023 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Newsletter, Rebecca Johnson, Communications Committee Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Service Award – ALSCA Mentoring Program, Dr. Daniel Birdsong, Immediate Past President
Fannie R. Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development – Patrice Davis
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Dr. Daniel Birdsong

2022 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Program Award – 2021 Critical Issues for Alabama Schools Conference, Shelly Johnson, Professional Development Committee Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Website, AnnaGrace Baldwin, Communications Committee Assistant Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Service Award – ALSCA Program of Distinction, Cindy Davis, Program of Distinction Liaison
Dr. Ervin “Chip” L. Wood Distinguished Professional Service Award – AnnaGrace Baldwin
Individual Publication Award – Heather Windham
Jean H. Cecil Distinguished Counselor Educator Award – Dr. Malti Tuttle
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Dr. Amy Upton
Outstanding Practitioner Award – Terica Lewis-Hicks
Wilbur A. Tincher Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person– Patrice Davis

2021 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Program Award – 2021 Critical Issues for Alabama Schools Conference, Shelly Johnson, Professional Development Committee Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Website, AnnaGrace Baldwin, Communications Committee Assistant Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Service Award – ALSCA Program of Distinction, Cindy Davis, Program of Distinction Liaison
Individual Publication Award – Dr. Amy Upton
Jean H. Cecil Distinguished Counselor Educator Award – Dr. Laura Hodges
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Casey Lancaster
Wilbur A. Tincher Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person– Mary Hall

2020 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division/Affiliate Publication Award – ALSCA Newsletter, Sheryl Smith, Communications Committee Chair
Chapter/Division/Affiliate Service Award – ALSCA Website, AnnaGrace Baldwin, Communications Committee Assistant Chair
Distinguished Professional Service Award – Sean Stevens
Fannie R. Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development – Dr. Charlotte Daughhetee
Individual Publication Award – Dr. Laura Hodges
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – Dr. LaWanda Edwards

2019 ALSCA recipients of ALCA Awards

Chapter/Division Program Award – 2019 Regional Workshops featuring Dr. Carolyn Stone, Shelly Johnson, Professional Development Committee Chair
Chapter/Division Publication Award – ALSCA Newsletter, Sheryl Smith, Communications Committee Chair
Distinguished Professional Service Award – Cindy Davis
Jean H. Cecil Distinguished Counselor Educator Award – Dr. LaWanda Edwards
ALSCA Outstanding Member Award – AnnaGrace Baldwin
Wilbur A. Tincher Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person – Dr. Vincent Hinton