Reflections on Celebrating School Counselor of the Year
Alexis Goddard, California School Counselor of the Year
As I sit in Union Station, Washington, D.C., I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible honor I have received as the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year. This moment feels surreal as I reflect on my journey from a graduate student at the University of La Verne to being recognized among exemplary school counselors nationwide.
During my time as a student, I was inspired by the impactful stories of school counselors advocating for change. I immersed myself in the ASCA National Model and explored the works of pioneers like Dr. Trish Hatch and Dr. Judy Bowers, dreaming of one day joining their ranks. Little did I know that I would not only meet Trish but also learn from her and grow as a leader in our profession.
The ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Celebration began with a welcome reception at Hotel Washington, where I connected with passionate counselors from across the country. It was invigorating to be surrounded by individuals who share the same dedication to supporting students and advocating for our profession. The school counselors in this room were change agents. They worked hard to reduce discipline referrals, increase student attendance, and lead their school sites to achieve RAMP recognition. We all shared a common sentiment: “How did I get so lucky to receive this award?” Each person I met was humble and driven by the desire to improve the lives of students one step at a time.
2025 State School Counselors of the Year
The following morning began with a delightful breakfast before we headed to Capitol Hill. After capturing a group photo with all the School Counselors of the Year, we visited the Supreme Court. Walking those historic halls and discussing landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education left me awestruck. Standing in the courtroom, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for all that I had overcome to allow me to stand in that room.
Our day continued with a briefing at Capitol Hill, building excitement for the evening’s celebration. Surrounded by the best school counselors in the country, I was honored to share this experience with my mentors and friends from Corona Norco Unified School District. As my name was called and I walked across the stage to receive my award, I reflected on the countless individuals who supported me—friends, family, colleagues, and most importantly, my students.
Alexis with former California SCOYs Alma Lopez and Josh Godinez
As a data-driven school counselor, I often present data that demonstrate the gaps we’ve closed and the increases in academic achievement or graduation rates. Yet, behind those numbers are the students I’ve walked alongside—those I reminded to complete online credit recovery courses, those who navigated college applications in my office, and those who still reach out to share their successes. The hugs and words of pride from my students when I learned of this honor reaffirmed that I could not have achieved this without their support.
I am deeply thankful and humbled to be recognized as the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year, and I look forward to continuing this journey alongside my incredible students.
About The Author
Alexis Goddard is a dedicated school counselor at Centennial High School within the Corona-Norco Unified School District. She was the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year and is also a part-time Professional Learning Specialist for Hatching Results.
