Davis receives RAVE award for excellence in counseling

Cindy Davis, counselor at Mill Creek Elementary School, has bronze, silver and gold RAVE awards (Recognition of Accountability, Verification and Excellence). (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Cindy Davis has earned the RAVE (Recognition of Accountability, Verification and Excellence) Award for her work as counselor at Mill Creek Elementary School.

The RAVE is a continuous improvement document that that allows a school-counseling program to demonstrate effective communication and a commitment to implement an outcome-based, data-driven program, Davis said.

“It is such an honor to be recognized by my peers, but my real validation comes from seeing our students make progress in personal, social and academic areas of their lives,” Davis said.

An advisory group of Alabama school counselors and educators, system/district supervisors and the Alabama Department of Education developed the RAVE award. For a model, they used the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools.

“The RAVE gives school counselors an opportunity for self-evaluation,” Davis said. She monitors and interprets data to assist students in learning skills and attitudes required for school success.

Davis’ RAVE application included principal’s comments and explanations about Mill Creek’s student support team, climate and safety, community partnerships and parent/volunteer, along with graphs.

After teaching two years in middle school, Davis realized the time needed to help students with personal and social issues. She enrolled in a school counseling class and completed her master’s degree with the University of North Alabama in one year.

“I’ve loved working with students as a school counselor for the past 22 years,” Davis said. She also has counseled at Horizon, Heritage, Rainbow and Columbia elementary schools.

Davis’ goal is to facilitate each student’s personal/social, academic and career development collaboratively among home, school and community.

In 2006, Davis was named Alabama Elementary School Counselor of the Year. She earned credentials as a National Board Certified School Counselor.

Her husband Mark is a teacher and head football coach at Butler High School. Their daughters are Carissa, a sophomore at Samford University, and Briana Davis, a James Clemens High School junior.

Cindy Davis teaches a Sunday School class at Asbury United Methodist Church.