Oak Valley School students and staff gathered with Deptford district administrators and others on March 3 to honor the school’s Laura Fortson-Williams in a surprise assembly where she was named Gloucester County School Counselor of the Year.
Williams has 11 years of school counseling experience, but she has been working in education for 24 years, including as a first and second grade teacher. Oak Valley’s counselor since 2015, Williams plans to remain in that role until retirement.
“Being the counselor at Oak Valley has really been a great opportunity to blossom in my profession,” she said. “I work with colleagues from the top down who are flexible, love working together to focus on solutions to student challenges and are open to new and innovative ideas and plans from my perspective as a school counselor.”
Gloucester County Elementary School Counselor Association President Mary Ellen Walker presented Williams with the award at the assembly. With Walker’s appearance, Williams realized she was being honored.
“When I received the award, I was a little shocked at first,” she noted. “I didn’t understand why everyone was clapping, and all of my supervisors were there, smiling and clapping. Once I saw Mrs. Walker, I knew what was happening.”
Williams was presented with flowers and a certificate to commemorate her accomplishment. But for the counselor, the part of the ceremony that stood out the most were the kind words she received from Walker as the award was presented.
“I got a little emotional when she spoke about me, because hearing someone speak highly of me and the work I do in the spaces I occupy in education and school counseling leadership just made me realize all at once that I am valued and appreciated by others in the profession,” she said.
“It was by far one of the best days of my 24-year career in education.”
Williams feels valued as a counselor at Oak Valley, with teachers and parents especially responsive to her input. While the award fills her with pride, Williams plans to use the opportunity to make a greater impact in her school and community.
“There is still a lot of work to be done in educating all professionals about the value in school counseling services,” she explained, “how it benefits the school community, and continuing to have a seat at leadership tables to ensure equitable, comprehensive school counseling programs that serve all students in the state of New Jersey.”
