MESCA's Emerging School Counselor Award recognizes an individual who has entered the school counseling profession within the last five years. The award winner is a model for new counselors demonstrating the highest standards of professional competence, outstanding contributions to the school community and/or profession, and has demonstrated strong rapport with students, parents, and school personnel.

Recognition Criteria

To be eligible for the Emerging School Counselor Award, the individual must:

• Be a certified school counselor who is a member of the Maine School Counselor Association.

• Be currently employed as a school counselor and has worked in the field for five years or less.

• Maintain high moral standards in their personal and professional conduct.

• Demonstrate innovations or further development of programs to support all students' academic, career, and social/emotional development.

• Demonstrate leadership, advocacy, and collaboration in their work and promotes rigorous educational experiences for all students.

Nomination Requirements

1. Describe in 500 words or less the activities, programs, and/or accomplishments for which the person is being nominated. Achievements, honors, and professional services may be included. Please include reasons why the nominator believes the nominee is deserving of the award and how the nominee's implementation of a comprehensive program has benefitted stakeholders. You may include supportive evidence in the form of programs written and published by the nominee, articles in newsletters, newspapers, and/or journals, etc.
2. Endorsements: Include a minimum of two additional recommendations. These can be letters or contacts for teachers, administrators, supervisors, co-workers, parents, students, etc.
3. Profile of the Nominee: Please include contact information and known educational, employment, and certification history.

HOW TO NOMINATE

To nominate an Emerging School Counselor, click the button below and select "Other Awards."

The deadline to nominate is November 20, 2025.

EMERGING SCHOOL COUNSELOR NOMINATION