Three of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s most outstanding school counselors were recognized for their hard work at the School Board meeting last night, May 20. 

The three were each named the School System’s 2009-2010 School Counselor of the Year, one for each level:  Sonya Williams-Field – Elementary (pictured, right), Tara Washington – Middle (center) and Patricia Gilbert -- High (left). 

Winners are selected by their colleagues annually and must possess the personal qualities thought to be desirable in a school counselor, have activities and accomplishments recognized in the last five years and have at least three years experience as a school counselor.  In addition, they must have been responsible for innovations in counseling and guidance programs, leadership in the further development of existing school counseling services and performance of an outstanding service to the school and/or community.

Williams-Field is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC).  She has 13 years experience in education, seven of which are in counseling (at Magnolia Woods Elementary School).  Washington has been at Woodlawn Middle School for four years.  Of her 12 years in education, 10 have been spent as a counselor.  Gilbert has 19 years experience in education with almost eight years of it as a school counselor.  She has been at Glen Oaks High School for the past three years.