Lawson Elementary staff wins area association award
Special to the American
St. Louis Suburban School Counselor Association selected Lawson Elementary School Jazell Thomas as Counselor of the Year at the elementary school level.
Lawson students offered praise for Thomas and her counseling abilities.
“Everybody is so proud of Mrs. Thomas,” fifth grader Molly Fiore said.
“She helps us be friends, not be angry at other people and helps us work it out if we have a problem. She teaches us guidance lessons, like not to do drugs and little games about friendship and getting along with others.”
“As a member of Lawson Elementary School, I would appreciate it if you would give Mrs. Jazell Thomas the award for Counselor of the Year,” said third grader Holden Cole.
“I say this because she helped me forgive my best friend. She’s the greatest counselor a school district could wish for.”
She was nominated by her principal, Betty Scheller, who said Thomas is always friendly and caring and always has a smile ready for everyone she meets.
“She effectively creates a climate conducive to counseling by making her room child-friendly,” Scheller said. “Puppets, books and games are all used to put a child at ease and promote open counseling sessions.”
Thomas has served as Lawson’s counselor for two years. Prior to that, she worked at Grannemann Elementary School for eight years in the same position.
“Jazell is a problem-solver. She has a strong desire to help students. She is patient, resourceful and inspires respect, trust and confidence,” said Lawson fifth grade teacher Angela Black.
“She attended our fifth grade team-building field trip where she not only helped organize the activities, she also participated. Her participation showed the students that everyone matters and that it takes all of us together to make a successful team.”
“I’m very excited about receiving this honor,” Thomas said. “It’s really great to work in the Hazelwood School District, where the administration supports the job counselors do.”
Thomas added that the award tied in to the federal safety grant the district won earlier this year and both show the commitment the district has made to student well-being.
The Hazelwood School District is the second largest district in St. Louis County and serves nearly 20,000 students. Communities in the district include Hazelwood, Black Jack, Spanish Lake, a large section of Florissant, portions of Bridgeton, Bellefontaine Neighbors and Ferguson, and several square miles of unincorporated St. Louis County.