The College Board is recognizing three SAISD counselors for their outstanding work this week, which is National School Counseling Week. The College Board Counselor Recognition Program honors the innovative middle and high school counselors who go the extra mile to expand opportunity for students – and who are seeing results.

Sam Houston High School counselor Chenelle Turner and Young Women’s Leadership Academy counselors Ashley Cash and Angeles Coss are profiled on the College Board website and are receiving exclusive Counselor Recognition Program lapel pins.

“All the counselors in San Antonio ISD do an amazing job,” said Tiffany Venzor, director of School Counseling at SAISD. “I think not only do these three counselors walk the walk and talk the talk, but they embody everything you would envision in a school counselor not only professionally, but personally.”
 
Venzor nominated Cash, lead counselor at YWLA, for many reasons, including the fact that she leads one of the most powerfully collaborative teams in the District.
 
“She is a strong lead counselor that is always working towards goals that set the bar high for her team and most importantly for her students,” said Venzor. “Additionally, YWLA has the highest college, career, military, readiness measures in SAT and TSI. Ashley's team consistently has a 100% FAFSA completion rate and maintains 100% with the number of students attending college.”
 
Cash says that, as an introvert, she likes to stay behind the scenes – she wasn’t even going to tell her principal when she heard she received recognition from the College Board.
 
“I like to stay in the background and do the work,” she said. “But it’s nice to have our hard work recognized and I appreciate that the District saw that in me and nominated me for this award.”
 
Alma Forti, elementary/academy counselor coordinator, nominated YWLA middle school counselor Coss.
 
“As the school counselor, Coss goes above and beyond to provide support services to her students ensuring they are on the right pathway to graduation,” said Forti. “She is a tremendous advocate for students and staff.”
 
Surprised and humbled were two words Coss used to describe how she felt when she heard she would be receiving the recognition. 
 
“I feel honored to represent the school and the students in such an admirable and beautiful way,” Coss said. “My favorite thing about being a school counselor here at YWLA is the opportunity to be able to interact and engage with the students and be a part of their experience and help them develop a deeper understanding of their abilities to grow in a holistic manner.”
 
Venzor also nominated Turner, the lead counselor at Sam Houston High School.
 
“Chenelle has been a visionary in creating systems and access points for Sam Houston High School students,” said Venzor. “Throughout the years, she has provided leadership in creating trusting relationships with her team of counselors and college bound advisors, thus providing a safe learning environment for both adults and students. She has inspired her team to continue to look past obstacles that many students and families may face by engaging members of her faculty and staff to also make connections with students.”
 
Turner said she was in shock when she heard she was selected.
 
“I was excited and honored and pleased to be recognized by my peers,” Turner said. “I enjoy working with kids, giving them options for their future. When a student has options, it gives them an opportunity to have a choice in their life versus having someone tell them what they can and can’t do; it gives them the power to drive their own ‘vehicle.’”