Clayton Elementary School’s school counselor sees her mission in three parts: to connect, to educate and to advocate.
Heather Chesnut meets and exceeds that mission with love, hope and a lot of hard work, according to her students, their families and her colleagues.
“She is a safe haven,” one parent shared, noting her children have been strongly supported by Ms. Chesnut as they navigated through family challenges over the past two years. “She goes above and beyond what is required of a school counselor.”
Ms. Chesnut earlier this year was selected by colleagues as the Cherokee Innovation Zone’s Counselor of the Year in recognition of her outstanding service for the past nine years, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower surprised her Tuesday with the honor that she’s the Cherokee County School District 2021 Counselor of the Year!