CCSD Names 2025 Counselor of the Year!

More photos from today's celebration will be posted online here.

Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, and school counselor Mable Ferry has been a constant guiding light since its opening.

Known as the school’s “heart and soul” due to her incredible devotion to supporting every student’s learning and well-being, Ms. Ferry today was surprised with the honor that she’s the Cherokee County School District 2025 Counselor of the Year!  Ms. Ferry, who is retiring at the end of the school year, now is eligible for the statewide Counselor of the Year competition.

Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis was joined in the surprise presentation by senior staff and Mike Gibson of Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner, which sponsored gifts including a $500 Visa gift card, engraved plaque and a large congratulatory banner.  Credit Union of Georgia also will award a $100 Visa gift card to each of the Innovation Zone Counselors of the Year.  

While the presentation was a surprise, the honor came as no surprise to the students, families, colleagues and administrators who have benefitted from Ms. Ferry’s unparalleled talent and unmatched dedication.

“Mable is no ordinary school counselor,” Principal Dr. Maria Rosario-Regan said.  “What sets her apart is her incredible work ethic and unwavering commitment to the well-being of our scholars.  She consistently goes above and beyond, demonstrating genuine care and love for each student, ensuring they feel supported, valued and understood.  Her dedication is evident not only in her daily interactions, but also in the countless hours she volunteers at community events.” 

In addition to her role as the school’s counselor for children in Pre-K through second grade, providing classroom, small group and individual guidance counseling support, Ms. Ferry coordinates numerous programs to support all students at school and at home.  

“Being a counselor is more than a profession – it is my passion and calling,” Ms. Ferry said.  “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our students every day.”

She organizes a “lunch bunch” program to pair students struggling socially with students who volunteer to support them.  She leads “Project Backpack,” which engages local community organizations and volunteers to fill backpacks with food donations to send home each weekend with students in need.  More than 200 students in need benefit each year from the holiday gift drive Ms. Ferry coordinates, and she works with numerous business and nonprofits year-round to collect donations of everything from shoes to school supplies.  

During the summer break from school, Ms. Ferry volunteers with MUST Ministries’ summer lunch program and the Give a Kid a Chance school supply drive to ensure her students, and students from across the community, receive meals and back-to-school support.

A past Cherokee Zone Counselor of the Year winner, Ms. Ferry earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s in education degree in school counseling from Plattsburgh State University of New York prior to joining Hasty in 2005.  

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