San Angelo ISD is proud to announce the Counseling Departments at Austin Elementary, Glenmore Elementary, Santa Rita Elementary, Lincoln Middle School, Lone Star Middle School and Lake View High School have received the distinct honor of being awarded the Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) award for excellence in counseling. This is the third consecutive year Lincoln Middle School and Lake View High School have received the award and the fourth consecutive year for Lone Star Middle School. 

“San Angelo ISD School counselors follow the SAISD Comprehensive School Counseling Program Framework to plan, implement and review their campus program,” said Rebecca Cline, SAISD Director of Assessment and Counseling. “Several of our campuses applied for the CREST which is a way for them to showcase the work they are doing to support students, staff and families in the areas of academics, social/emotional wellbeing, and attendance. As the Director of Counseling and Mental Health, I am blessed to have the opportunity to work alongside all of our school counselors and support them in this important work.”

In 2005, Texas School Counselor Association began the CREST program to recognize schools with outstanding counseling programs. To receive a CREST award, schools must demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives and achievement of students in academic, career, and personal social domains. CREST helps counselors to evaluate their counseling programs, promote their programs to the stakeholders in their districts, demonstrate the effectiveness of their guidance and counseling programs through empirical means, and to implement the Texas and National models for school counseling programs.

At the 20th Annual Professional School Counselor Conference February 2-4, the following counselors were recognized and received the Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) Award:

• Lake View High School – Stacie Riddle, Rachel Gandar, Jennifer O’Donnell, Jenny Ruppert, Zach Ramirez
• Lincoln Middle School – Beth McAda, Erica Soto, Joe Gandar
• Lone Star Middle School (CREST Leadership) – Amber Garza, Justin McClure, Michael O’Briant, Amy Lemaster
• Austin Elementary School (final year) – Jessica Riddle, April Johnson
• Glenmore Elementary School –  Ashley McDonough, Teri Gould
• Santa Rita Elementary School – Kalie Fontenot, Kay Scott

SAISD school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program to more fully serve our students. Our counselors make a unique impact on our students by empowering all students to acquire the skills needed to be academically successful and college/career ready, while also providing assistance to those in need of special services. They support the social, emotional, academic and career growth and development of all students by building positive relationships, creating safe and inviting environments for open conversation, and collaborating with stakeholders to benefit students. 

Please join us in congratulating and thanking our outstanding CREST award winners who truly make a difference in our students' lives! To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X.