Nicole Pfleger, professional school counselor at Nickajack Elementary School, has been named the top counselor in the United States by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Ms. Pfleger is one of more than 400 
applicants nationwide that competed for the award, which honors school counselors who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of their students, parents, and communities. ASCA president Alan Burkhard and CCSD Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa presented Nicole with the award during a surprise assembly Dec. 8 in the school auditorium with her family, fellow staff and the Nickajack student body! Board of Education member Tim Stultz and members of the District’s leadership team were also on hand for the celebration.
Ms. Pfleger will visit Washington, DC. February 1-3 2012 with five other national finalists, in conjunction with National Counseling Week. The group will represent ASCA in meetings with members of Congress, tour the nation’s capital and attend a black-tie awards gala at Union Station.
The School Counselor of the Year award is the highest national honor for professional school counselors. Candidates are judged on a set of criteria that includes creative school counseling innovations, effective programs, leadership skills and contribution to student advancement. Ms. Pfleger was nominated by Anthony Pearson, colleague and school counselor at Sky View Elementary.
A lifelong resident of Cobb County, Nicole Pfleger attended Wheeler High School, East Cobb Middle School, and Sope Creek Elementary School (where her mother Barbara Pfleger is also a teacher). She earned her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia, then went on to complete her master’s studies in School Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earn an educational specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Ms. Pfleger returned to her Cobb roots in 2006, joining Nickajack Elementary as school counselor.
Cobb County Schools will join in the celebration of National School Counseling Week February 6-10, 2012, honoring the contributions of Ms. Pfleger and her 270 fellow school counselors serving Cobb students and families.
[where: 30082]