Representative Kathy Swan is Awarded Legislator of the Year by the Missouri School Counselor Association

Representative Swan with MSCA Members following a Public Hearing on a Comprehensive School Counseling Bill

The Missouri School Counselor Association honors Representative Kathryn Swan as Legislator of the Year for 2016. This award recognizes the work of a legislator who focuses on students and supports the work of school counselors in the State of Missouri.

“Representative Swan is not only a great cheerleader for school counselors, but she is also a fierce advocate for students,” said Sarah Dix, President of the Missouri School Counselor Association. “She understands that students need support in all areas of their lives, and she sees that school counselors are there to provide that support to students and their families. We are grateful to Representative Swan for her tireless work on behalf of Missouri’s students. We couldn’t be more proud to honor her as our Legislator of the Year, and we look forward to continued partnership with her.”

Representative Swan has spent years working to ensure that all Missouri schools have strong school counseling programs. During the last legislative session, Representative Swan sponsored legislation that changed the term “guidance counselor” to “school counselor” in state statute.

“’Guidance counselor’ is an old term that referred more to the focus on career advice,” said Dr. Sharon Sevier, Interim Director of Advocacy for MSCA. “While school counselors still work with students on career and college readiness, they do tremendous work with students on their academic and social/emotional development. Representative Swan understands the work of the school counselor and how it’s changed over the years. She led the charge in changing our title, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

The Missouri School Counselor Association will recognize Representative Swan at its annual conference in November.