Austintown staff member receives school Counselor of the Year award

January 13, 2016 at 12:00a.m.

By AMANDA TONOLI

AUSTINTOWN

Kelley Mills, Austintown Elementary School guidance counselor, set an example for guidance counselors everywhere by bringing home the School Counselor of the Year award for Ohio.

“Kelley does so much above and beyond and is so very worthy,” said Kathy Mock, school board president.

Board members recognized Mills at the meeting Monday evening.

Penney Callahan, another elementary school guidance counselor, nominated Mills for the award.

“Penney and I work very closely together, so it’s really a team effort,” Mills said. “I think it’s really great at the elementary level. I’m given more hugs than any other person in the building. ... It’s amazing that kids want to be around you and talk to you all day. ... They do much more for me than I do for them.”

Despite confidentiality being a big part of what counselors do, Mills said she wants others to know what counselors do really does make a difference.

“We take our jobs very seriously, and we try to make the biggest impact we can at the elementary level so the positive start we give them can continue,” Mills said.

Mills not only received recognition for the state award, but she also has the opportunity to win at a national level for 2017.

“She [Mills] likes to get to know children and families of children coming into our district as kindergartners and make everyone feel at ease,” Mock said.

At the meeting, board members again chose Mock as president for this year. Ken Jakubec will serve as vice president.

Jakubec was also appointed to serve as the board’s legislative liaison.