Boston ES Counselor Named 2015 CCSD Counselor of the Year
Boston Elementary School counselor Sue Hartwell chose to move from the classroom to the counseling office in order to have more one-on-one time with students, in hopes of making more of an impact on individual lives. The 40-year veteran in education has been richly rewarded for that decision, helping students and families thrive through her conscientious and tireless efforts to help-- and to heal. Ms. Hartwell’s outstanding contributions to her school, her students and her community led to her selection as CCSD’s 2015 Counselor of The Year (COTY).
Ms. Hartwell was reading to students in the media center on Tuesday, March 17, when she was surprised by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo and Boston ES Principal Joey Moss, along with her husband, John, and several of her peers, including 2014 COTY Liz Ray, who placed a handmade glitter-encrusted “COTY” sash on the teary-eyed 2015 honoree.
Dr. Petruzielo recognized Ms. Hartwell’s use of “grief boxes” to help children cope with a loss and her formation of the Boston Buddies club for community service as evidence of her many ways of reaching students. She coordinates testing for the school, which takes a calm, cool demeanor in the midst of stress, he noted, as well as tracking attendance patterns and promoting career exploration opportunities for students.
“You do so many wonderful things here,” said Dr. Petruzielo. “As a counselor, you have the responsibility of forging that relationship between the home and the school. For students to understand the importance of giving back, they must see that behavior modeled, and you do that every day. Your work is truly appreciated.”
John Hartwell, bearing pink roses for his wife, said the children and teachers at Boston ES are more than just people to serve or work with.
“Everybody is family to her,” he said. Mr. Hartwell also mentioned that his wife’s counseling efforts extend beyond the school and into the community, as she counsels a women’s group at their church as well.
Principal Joey Moss had high praise for Ms. Hartwell’s character and work ethic, which she said are unmatched.
“Mrs. Hartwell makes a strong, positive impact on not only me, but also on anyone in her realm of influence,” said Ms. Moss. “Her sincerity and authenticity are genuine, as she strives to make a difference in the lives of those around her.”
Ms. Hartwell began her teaching career in Kansas in 1974. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado, and later earned a master’s degree in counselor education from Sam Houston State University in Texas. She and her husband moved to Woodstock in 2004, and she was hired as a counselor at Clayton ES and transferred to Boston ES in 2007.
Ms. Hartwell, the finalist for the Etowah Innovation Zone, will be eligible for the Georgia Counselor of the Year recognition later this year.
2015 Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year
Cherokee Zone: Katie Williams, Knox ES
Creekview Zone: Angel Jane, Avery ES
River Ridge Zone: Adrienne Warnken, Little River ES
Sequoyah Zone: Maria Baldwin, Sequoyah HS
Woodstock Zone: Lauren Moss, Freedom MS