Davis receives counseling’s RAVE award
In a first for Madison City Schools, Cindy Davis received the RAVE award (Recognition of Accountability, Verification and Excellence) from the Alabama School Counselor Association.
Davis and Mill Creek Elementary School were the first counselor and school, respectively, in North Alabama to receive the award.
The award application required principal’s comments; material about the counseling support team, school and safety; three graphs tracking student progress from her counseling; and accomplishments by Mill Creek and Davis.
In addition, Davis had to report academic, career, social and personal measurements in her counseling; Mill Creek’s community partnerships; parent/volunteer involvement; improvement areas; and communication methods.
RAVE is based on exemplary implementation of the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools. “This model describes the components of program delivery for a school counseling program — curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services and system support,” Davis said.
“By following this model, counseling … becomes an integral component of the total school program,” Davis said.
Davis feels successful when a student seeks help with a problem because of the trusting relationship she has built. “This old adage is true: ‘Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,'” she said.
Davis received the RAVE at the Alabama School Counselor Association fall conference on Nov. 17 at the Birmingham Sheraton. Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler and Mill Creek principal Melanie Barkley accompanied Davis.
The RAVE award gives school counselors an opportunity for self-evaluation of the school’s counseling. “Comprehensive school counseling and guidance are data-driven by student needs and provide outcome-based accountability measures … with the school’s overall academic mission,” Davis said.
As a result, she can monitor and interpret data to assist students in learning skills and attitudes required for school success.
“I am so blessed to work with the Mill Creek family,” Davis said. “It’s a delight to come to work each day.”
For more information, visit alabamacounseling.org.
