“I have always believed when the heart of a child is broken, the mind stops thinking,” says Dr. Sylvia Lopez, director of the Dallas ISD counseling department. “School counselors help remove those barriers so that students can get back on track in the world of learning.”
Feb. 1–5 is National School Counseling Week, which is dedicated to honoring school counselors by providing recognition for those who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, which are a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century. Always the first week in February, NSCW focuses public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors across the country.
Dallas ISD school counselors guide students every single day, which is a task that Dr. Lopez calls “leading with heart.”
“School counselors are compassionate and caring individuals who continuously reach out to our students,” Lopez said. “Sometimes counselors are the only positive person in a child’s life. We work hard to lead with heart to help and guide students through very tough times.”
Dallas ISD recently had 26 CREST Award winning schools get honored at the 2016 Texas School Counselor Conference. The district encourages all students, parents, staff and the community to participate during National School Counseling Week by thanking a school counselor for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.