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Brenda Robey Named Virginia 2009 Counselor of the Year

RobeyCongratulations to Brenda Robey, counselor at Lacey Spring Elementary School, who was recently named 2009 Counselor of the Year by the Virginia Counselors Association. The VCA is a professional organization for school and agency counselors throughout the Commonwealth.

award Mrs. Robey accepts her award from Gerard Lawson, VCA President

Mrs. Robey was nominated for the award by Turner Ashby's career counselor, Kyle Laver, who previously worked with her as Lacey Spring's Big Brothers/Big Sisters Mentoring Program contact where together they built the largest program of its type in Rockingham County. Mrs. Laver admits her experiences with Mrs. Robey were so positive and inspirational that it drew her (Laver) to the counseling profession and most recently prompted her to make the award nomination to recognize Mrs. Robey and what Mrs. Laver describes as a "truly extraordinary counseling program." The VCA board clearly agrees.

A counselor at Lacey since 1989, Brenda is appreciative of the support around her that fosters her efforts to be successful in making a difference in the lives of her students. "I represent one of many school counselors across Virginia who are working hard to help students be the best learners that they can be! In Rockingham County, counselors have the support of parents, our school board, central office staff, teachers, and administrators to maintain guidance and counseling programs that are exemplary! It is a privilege to work in this school system which recognizes that children's social and emotional needs are related to their academic needs, and that good character and social skills are necessary in future workplaces," Mrs. Robey says.

award Mrs. Robey assists a Lacey student who reads her Citizenship essay to the student body in a recent assembly

As a consistent fixture in the school community, she makes an impact on the lives of her students in an untold number of ways. Implementing a program she's dubbed "Warm Up Winter," Mrs. Robey organizes donors to purchase new winter clothing for students whose families are not able to provide these items themselves. Her efforts do not go unnoticed by Lacey Spring Principal, Donna Robinson, who appreciates and also relies on Mrs. Robey's leadership and understanding of the school's operation and its population to act as "Administrative Designee" when Mrs. Robinson is out of the building.

"Brenda is a very dedicated counselor, who has lots of care and concern for all the students. She takes her lunch time to meet with students individually, in small groups or to do conflict managing. She does this in order to keep the students from missing instructional time. She is always ready to work with teachers, students and parents with any concern, problem or crisis situation and has excellent counseling skills to address each circumstance that occurs," explains Mrs. Robinson. She continues, "Mrs. Robey is not just a counselor, but a teacher and an instructor as she teaches her classes on subjects such as Character Counts, Say No to Drugs, Bullying and many, many other topics. During her teaching, she makes it interesting and exciting as she uses technology and puppets to bring the lesson alive. Lacey is very lucky to have Mrs. Robey as a counselor and we are proud of her recognition as Virginia Counselor of the Year!"

Having taught in Fairfax County and in Page County early in her career, Brenda's move to Lacey Spring Elementary School 20 years ago was certainly their loss and Rockingham County's tremendous gain. Congratulations and thank you, Mrs. Robey!

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Also see DNR Article by Jenny Jones, Puppet Master: Hands-On Teaching Earns Robey Counselor of the Year Honors