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Peeples counselor wins state award

The Georgia School Counselors Association has named Peeples Elementary counselor Joy Conklin one of the best school counselors in the state. She is the recipient of the organization’s Elementary Counselor of the Year award for Region II for her outstanding service and achievement in the school-counseling field.

In order to be considered for the award, nominees must be responsible for innovations in guidance and counseling programs as well as providing leadership in the further development of existing guidance services, demonstrating leadership in professional counseling associations and performing an outstanding service to the school or community.

Although Conklin was surprised and humbled to receive the award, she said her focus is on her work and helping others, just as it is for her other colleagues in Fayette and across the state.

“I focus on the work at hand and don’t think about receiving recognition. Like other counselors, my work is an extension of my heart. I am convinced that being a counselor is a calling because many qualities about a counselor can’t be learned, there are just part of the person,” said Conklin.

Conklin’s commitment to innovation and change has helped to make the counseling program at Peeples more dynamic and cutting edge for everyone it serves. She constantly assesses programs and ways of doing things to be sure the present needs of the school population are being met. Conklin’s dedication and hard work as earned her the respect of her students, parents, colleagues and peers.

“There is no way to measure the effect Joy Conklin has had on our school community, but everyone would agree that she lives up to her name and has brought nothing but joy to our school,” said media paraprofessional Joni Adams.

In addition to classroom guidance lessons, small group and individual counseling and working with parents and teachers to help students achieve success, Conklin has implemented a variety of programs that have benefited the Peeples community. Such programs include Tea and Tissues offered the first week of school for parents who have difficulty separating from their children, Rockets and Starrs Mentoring Program that pairs students from Starr’s Mill High with the elementary students and a newsletter called “Guidance News,” aimed at keeping parents up to date on guidance activities and programs available at the school and in the county.

“I understand the contributions I make to the school counseling profession are similar to countless other professional school counselors across Fayette County, the state of Georgia and across our nation. I am proud to be a part of a profession that focuses on addressing some of the most important issues in students’ lives,” said Conklin.

In addition to being named a state counselor of the year, the Fayette County School Counselors Association chose Conklin as the Elementary Counselor of the Year for the county.