Celebrating counselors and teachers in New Orleans

We know the important role that school counselors and teachers play in helping students get to college. That’s why we visited New Orleans earlier this month to join the College Football Playoff Foundation, Collegewise, and the American School Counselor Association in celebrating counselors and teachers from across the country.

Here are some highlights from the championship weekend.

1. Professional Development for Local Counselors

On Saturday morning, we welcomed counselors from Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippl to engage with speakers from Reach Higher, Common App, Collegewise, and ASCA. During the day, the group discussed the latest trends in college admissions, college affordability, high school apprenticeships, personal statements, letters of recommendation, school profiles, and where counselors can access free resources like Common App Ready

2. Excellence In College Counseling Award

As we kicked off our counselor gathering in New Orleans, we were excited to recognize Farah Parker as the first-ever recipient of the Excellence in College Counseling award in partnership with Collegewise. Farah is the College and Career Counselor at Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy in Jefferson Parish, LA where she is supporting their first graduating class!

Check out what Farah shared.

3. National Teachers of the Year Celebration

Extra Yard for Teachers Summit, celebrating local teachers as well as the Teachers of the Year from across the country. We especially enjoyed hearing from the 2019 National Teacher of the Year, Rodney Robinson(Virgie Binford Education Center, Juvenile Detention Center, Richmond, VA). In a rare opportunity, Rodney joined the 2019 National School Counselor of the Year, Brian Coleman (Jones College Prep, Chicago, IL), for a conversation around their experience as educators and champions for equity in education. You can listen to our conversation here.

Although our team remained neutral about who to support during the College Football Playoff National Championship game; we were excited to see Common App member LSU come away with the big win!

Our time in New Orleans reminds us of the critical work counselors and teachers do every day to support students of all backgrounds, especially first-generation, low-income, and other underserved student populations. It also reminds us that we must continue to celebrate and thank you for what you do. We look forward to continuing to celebrate counselors in February during National School Counseling Week!