3 San Angelo ISD Counselors Honored at Ceremony

SAN ANGELO – Three San Angelo ISD counselors were honored recently as Counselors of the Year by the Three Rivers Counseling Association (TRCA) at the 34th Annual Counselor Appreciation Luncheon held on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Congratulations to:

• Ashley McDonough of Glenmore Elementary, winner of the George Pliler Elementary School Counselor of the Year Award,
• Erica De La Garza of Lincoln Middle School, winner of the George Pliler Middle School Counselor of the Year Award, and
• Rachel Gandar of Lake View High School, winner of the George Pliler High School Counselor of the Year Award. 

“Our School Counselors are the heart of their campus. They collaborate with all stakeholders including children, parents, staff, and outside agencies.” said Director of Assessments and Counseling Rebecca Cline. “I am blessed to have been a school counselor at Glenn and Lincoln Middle School, and now have the pleasure to collaborate with the counselors to ensure the SAISD Comprehensive Counseling Program Framework is implemented and supported. I am proud to work with the great counselors and counselor support teams at SAISD like Ms. McDonough, Ms. De La Garza, and Ms. Gandar.”   

TRCA sponsors the annual luncheon to honor those who chose the profession of counseling to assist those who are in need of service. To qualify for the awards, nominations were made based on letters of support from a colleague, student or community leader or the nominee’s supervisor or administrator. Excerpts from the nominations about the three SAISD award-winning counselors include: 

“Our campus is so fortunate to have a counselor who is positive, fun, energetic, dedicated, selfless and understanding. Ashley McDonough is a wonderful listener and thought partner with relentless optimism that is contagious.”

“Erica De La Garza is passionate about improving the counseling center for students, as well as being a part of a team to create a strong comprehensive counseling program. Lincoln Middle School is blessed to have her work ethic, commitment, and heart.”

“Rachel Gandar works with her counselor colleagues, leadership team and campus advisory council to implement a quality counseling program based on evidence and data based processes that benefit students academically, socially, emotionally, and in most areas of their lives to help them be successful.”

Additionally during the event, Rebecca Cline, SAISD Director of Assessments and Counseling, was recognized for her years of service, leadership, and dedication to the counseling profession, the San Angelo community, and TRCA with the Years of Service award. Ms. Cline has served on the TRCA board of directors for many years in positions of leadership such as president. 

SAISD school counselors are certified, experienced educators with specialized training and master’s degrees in school counseling who focus on classroom guidance, individual student planning, responding to student needs, and supporting the school and district’s mission and vision to create a net of resources for students and families. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program to fully serve our students. 

Please join us in congratulating and thanking our outstanding TRCA award winners! To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

About Three Rivers Counseling Association

TRCA is the local chapter of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA). TCA leads, educates and advocates to advance the counseling profession, to increase access to professional counselors, and to promote wellness. TRCA serves 10 area counties including Coke, Coleman, Concho, Crockett, Irion, Runnels, Schleicher, Sterling, Sutton and Tom Green County. For more information, visit www.trca.txca.org.