March is Women’s History Month, a time for celebrating the contributions women have made to the United States and recognizing the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. (Womenshistorymonth.gov)

Though their names may not yet appear in any history books, two women who deserve such recognition are: Dr. Yolanda Johnson, Chief of Student Services for Springfield Public Schools; and Mrs. Terry Powe, Principal of Elias Brookings Elementary School in Springfield, Massachusetts.

For 16 years, I have served as the School Counselor for Elias Brookings Elementary School. And for those 16 years, I have been blessed by positive and purposeful leaders and mentors, including Dr. Johnson and Principal Powe. Both women model and inspire strength, knowledge, compassion, dedication, empathy, advocacy, and uplifting of our students, families, educators, schools, communities, and each other.

And both women fully believe in the power of School Counseling.

Dr. Johnson as our leader and voice.
Principal Powe as a partner and an advocate.

So, in Fall 2023, when Dr. Johnson announced that the Massachusetts Association of School Counselors (MASCA) was seeking nominations for School Counselor and School Counseling Advocate Awards, including Administrator of the Year, my heart knew this was Terry. We had to nominate her. And with Yolanda’s encouragement, away we went…

Below is a snapshot of the words we collected from Brookings’ students, families, and educators, District leaders and colleagues, fellow School Counselors, and community partners in describing Terry and her contributions to our school and community, especially her efforts in supporting School Counseling.

As I am writing and reflecting on these words, I realize that they perfectly describe Dr. Johnson as a leader, and every School Counselor and School Counseling ally as well.

Words like…

Compassionate. Consistent. Communicates. Peace. Approachable. Respect. Positive. Purposeful. Visionary. Inspiration. Phenomenal. Heartwarming. Dedicated. Supportive. Loving. Faithful. Empathic. Genuine. Best for students. Passionate. Gracious. Family support. Brilliant. Collaborator. Celebrator. Appreciator. Blessed. Grateful. Friend. Trust. Decisive. Honest. Listens. Leader. Community. Culture. Awareness. Positive. Strong. Kind. Heart. Educator. Loves students. High expectations. Encouraging. Patience. Charismatic. Enthusiastic. Giving. Teamwork. Diversity. Accommodating. Advocator. Encourager. Inspirer. Leader. Innovator.

For Springfield Public Schools School Counselors, we have especially embraced words like…

Compassion. Knowledge. Dedication. Inspiration.

These words circling the core of our lives, and our profession. Our hearts.

As our School Counselor model and voice, Dr. Johnson leads us with her compassion, knowledge, dedication, and inspiration.
She leads us with her heart.

As School Counselors, we guide each other with our compassion, knowledge, dedication, and inspiration.
We guide each other with our hearts.

As a School Counselor supporter, Terry partners with us with her compassion, knowledge, dedication, and inspiration.
She partners with us with her heart.

All of these hearts focused on helping others.
On helping children.

As far as I am concerned, that’s the win we should be talking about.

But I won’t leave you in suspense.
Terry won.
MASCA Administrator of the Year.
An incredible accomplishment.
Maybe even one for the history books.

But she will tell you, and I will agree, that the real winners are…

The thousands of students, families, educators, volunteers, community members, and community partners who benefit from the love, compassion, knowledge, dedication, advocacy, empowerment, and inspiration of Dr. Yolanda Johnson, Principal Terry Powe, and the thousands and thousands of School Counselors and supporters locally and beyond who give of their hearts in touching and enriching the hearts and lives of others…

About Springfield Public Schools School Counselors
Visit www.schoolcounselors-springfieldma.com
When asked about our Springfield School Counselors, Dr. Johnson shared: I love our School Counselors. I am committed to their professional growth; and I recognize the shoulders on which I stand of some amazing women who paved the way for me to lead and serve in Springfield Public Schools. Mrs. Emurriel Holloway, retired Springfield Public Schools Director of Guidance, is one of those women.
The Springfield Public Schools Counseling Program promotes a culture of equity and achievement that prepares each student to be a lifelong learner as well as a contributing member of their community. The program supports every student within the learning community. School counselors provide and deliver programs that address academic and social-emotional development, and college and career readiness. As a result, every student is empowered to realize their full potential and become college and career ready to adapt and achieve success in an ever-changing world.

About Massachusetts Association of School
Counselors (MASCA)
Thank you, MASCA, for your leadership in School Counseling and for your efforts in celebrating School Counselors, those learning and growing in the field of School Counseling, and Administrators, Supporters, and Advocates of School Counseling. Your purpose and positivity are a blessing to us, and your efforts are truly appreciated.

Visit masca.wildapricot.org ■