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NP’s Alspaugh named Secondary School Counselor of the Year
ROACHDALE — The Indiana School Counselor Association has honored North Putnam’s director of guidance for the passion her students already know she brings to her job each day.
Lauren Alspaugh has been name the Secondary School Counselor of the year by the ISCA, the school announced recently. Alspaugh will be recognized during an awards luncheon during the 2018 ISCA conference on Friday, Nov. 16.
“Mrs. Alspaugh is extremely passionate about her role as school counselor, understands the importance of her position and the impact school counselors can make for the future of students,” North Putnam Principal Jason Chew said. “It is clear to me and many of my colleagues that Mrs. Alspaugh is a tremendous school counselor.
“It is wonderful that the entire state will now know what North Putnam students, faculty, parents and community have known for a long — that Mrs. Alspaugh is one of the best.”
Chew’s comments have been echoed by other faculty members as well as Putnam County Youth Development Commission’s Linda Merkel.
“She embodies the importance of integrity, honesty and doing things the right way,” Merkel said of Alspaugh. “I feel confident her approach to education, safety and the future is well in hand at North Putnam High School.”
While honored by the award, Alspaugh also praised those around her for her success.
“I am so honored to have been selected as this year’s Secondary School Counselor of the Year,” Alspaugh said. “It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child but I believe it also takes a village to make a counselor. I have so many administrators, colleagues and community members who have helped me to grow into the counselor I aim to be.”
As with any successful educator, Alspaugh keeps the focus on the students she serves.
“North Putnam High School is an amazing place to challenge students, serve them and help them on their journey. I have been extremely blessed by NPHS and the faculty, staff and students there,” she said.
Alspaugh also specifically thanks the administrators with whom and for whom she has worked: Principal Chew, Vice Principal Levi Yowell and retired Principal Alan Zerkel.
“Also I would like to recognize the other secondary school counselors in Putnam County who work so diligently to serve our students,” Alspaugh said. “Thank you for the important work that you do for our Putnam County students.”
Each year the ISCA recognizes a School Counselor of the Year at the elementary, middle and secondary school level during the annual conference. This year’s conference, themed “Making a Difference,” will take place Nov. 15-16 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis.