MASCA 2008 AWARDS

Massachusetts School Counselors have the chance once again, to recognize those who model and inspire excellence in our profession.  The MASCA Awards Committee encourages you to nominate a colleague this year for the annual Massachusetts School Counselor Association Awards!   

The nomination process is quick and easy to do, and offers an invaluable opportunity to reach out and recognize someone you believe, has made a real and meaningful contribution to the field.   Those nominated are honored by the act, and those selected as recipients are doubly honored.

Here’s what you need to know:
MASCA members may nominate a candidate for any of the organization’s four traditional annual award categories, which are: Counselor of the Year; Leadership; Administrator of the Year and the MASCA  Special Award.  MASCA recognizes a newcomer to the field and a retiring counselor with the Torch Award - nominators may choose to nominate a colleague for one or both sides of the practice continuum in this newest award category.
 
Each award category has associated criteria, and candidates are required to provide evidence of meeting  a minimum of two criteria to be eligible.  In the case of the Counselor of the Year, Leadership awards, and Torch Awards,  MASCA membership, licensure and current employment as a school counselor are a prerequisite for nomination – with the exception of the retiring/retired Torch Award in the current employment criteria.

A brief description of our awards and eligibility criteria follows:

Counselor of the Year Award

1. Has made outstanding contributions to the school community
2. Demonstrates excellent rapport with pupils, parents and school personnel
3. Highly respected counselor of students

 
Leadership Award

1. Demonstrates able leadership in the counseling profession – on the local, state or national level          
2. Provides extensive service to the community in youth activities and community service initiatives
3. Has made innovative contributions in research, publications, presentations, workshop leadership
4. Actively participates in organizations at local, state and or national levels              

Administrator of the Year Award

1. Has made an outstanding and significant contribution to the guidance and counseling movement
2. Developed a new program
3. Implemented an innovative program
4. Initiated unusual improvements of guidance service in his/her area of responsibility

Special Award

1. Has made a contribution of unusual significance that substantially affects the guidance and counseling profession
2. Made a contribution that directly affects counselors
3. Made a contribution that directly affects students
4. Made a contribution that directly affects a school program

 
The MASCA Torch Award…Passing the torch(you may nominate in one or both categories)
      Retiring Counselor

1. Retiring this year, or has retired within the last five years (mandatory)
2. A model for new counselors demonstrating highest standards of professional competence
3. Has made outstanding contributions to the school community and/or profession
4. Demonstrated excellent rapport with  students, parents and school personnel

      Rising Star

1. A newcomer to the profession, who has entered the field within the last five years (mandatory)
2. A model for new counselors demonstrating highest standards of professional competence
3. Has made outstanding contributions to the school community and/or profession
4. Demonstrated excellent rapport with students, parents and school personnel

Making a Nomination
To nominate your candidate, please complete the MASCA Awards Nomination Form;  provide two letters of recommendation and include any desired supporting information.  Supporting information might include things like the candidate’s  resume, articles written about their programs, letters of support from their principal – be creative and include whatever materials you believe best demonstrate why your candidate should be selected as a MASCA Award winner in 2008.

You may submit your paperwork electronically by sending to kathleenbarrett@comcast.net.
Or may use the snail mail  and mail your nomination paperwork to:
MASCA Awards Committee, c/o Dr. Kathleen Barrett, 77 Emerson Road, Longmeadow Massachusetts. 

Nominations must be received by March 1, 2008 to be considered for this year’s awards. 

The MASCA Awards Committee will select winners in each category and presentations will be made, according to our tradition, at the May Conference in Hyannis.

Graduate Students

The George Thompson Memorial Scholarship This is a $1,000 award and scholarship available to graduate students currently enrolled in a school counseling program.

 

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