2025 Georgia School Counselor of the Year and Other Award Recipients

The Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA) has announced the winner for the 2025 School Counselor of the Year awards Program. Please join us in congratulating Shayla Thompson as the 2025 GSCA School Counselor of the Year!

The award honors exemplary school counseling professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation’s students, helping them achieve success in school and in life.

GSCA is delighted to announce all the 2025 award recipients:

• Georgia School Counselor of the Year: Shayla Thompson, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Alton C. Crews Middle School
• School Counselor of the Year Semi-Finalist: Chiquita Jones, Lowndes County School District, Lowndes Middle School
• School Counselor of the Year Semi-Finalist: April West, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Stripling Elementary School
• Emerging Leader: Pakisha Reynolds, Henry County Public Schools, McDonough Middle School
• Supervisor/Administrator of the Year: Dr. Chon Hester, Henry County Public Schools
• Business Partner:  (tie) Georgia United Credit Union and Charlie Health
• Writer of the Year: (tie) Jennifer Susko, Georgia Cyber Academy; Sara Penland, Gwinnett County Public Schools, Gwin Oaks Elementary School; Natalie Pugh, Gwinnett County Public Schools, R.D. Head Elementary
• Counselor Educator of the Year: Dr. Teshia Dula, Gwinnett County Public Schools
• Advocate of the Year: Alisha McKiver Carson, Newman's Catering Company
• Lifetime Achievement:  Dr. Demetria Williams, Infinite Hope Consulting, LLC

All award winners will be celebrated during the Awards Ceremony at the Annual Conference on November 12th.