The Arkansas School Counselor Association has recognized Heather Barron as the region's Middle School Counselor of the Year.
Barron is a seventh-grade counselor at Helen Tyson Middle School.
“I feel very pleased, honored and humbled,” she said of the award recognition. “It is a great compliment to be nominated by my peers for this award.”
The ArSCA supports school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal, social and career development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society, according to the association’s website. The nonprofit is headquartered in Conway.
ArSCA Middle School Counselor of the Year selection considerations include the implementation of a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program; innovation in school counseling, leadership and collaboration within the profession; continual professional development; exemplifying the highest standard in professional conduct; and being a model community citizen, said Lindsey Raberding, Northwest Arkansas School Counselor Association president.
“I hope I bring to my school community a sense of calm, well-being and caring in my role as school counselor,” Barron said. “I work to maintain and promote a safe, positive school environment so HTMS can be a great place for students to grow and develop their potential in school and in life.”
Barron, 52, displays a skillset that makes her highly effective in her role as a counselor, said Patrick Scott, Helen Tyson Middle School principal.
“She is so valuable at helping guide our building-wide decisions to ensure we stay focused on our vision, yet she is equally effective at serving our students and families with a personalized approach,” Scott said. “She is a true professional in what she does for Helen Tyson Middle School and Springdale Public Schools.”
Barron has served as a school counselor for 27 years, she said. She’s worked with Springdale Public Schools for 19 years and at Helen Tyson for 16 years. She has also counseled students at George Junior High School.
“I have been a school counselor at every grade level, but love working with middle schoolers,” Barron said.
Barron lives in Fayetteville with her husband of 33 years, John David, and their dog, Zoey.
All three of Barron’s children attended Walker Elementary School, Helen Tyson Middle School, Southwest Junior High School and graduated from Har-Ber High School, she said.
“Peyton, my oldest, is getting ready to graduate from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice,” Barron said. “My twins, Allison and Drew, are both college freshmen. Allison is at Hendrix College in Conway, and Drew is at my alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.”
Barron has been a member of the American School Counseling Association and the Arkansas School Counseling Association since 1996, she said. She’s served three years as the ArSCA secretary, two years as the NWArSCA membership chair and the last 15 years as an ArSCA Technology Committee member, she said.
“I believe that membership in a professional organizations such as the ASCA and ArSCA is very important,” Barron said. “These organizations keep me up-to-date on the latest issues and information affecting school counselors, provide many opportunities for me to network with other school counselors, offer me relevant professional development and represent my concerns and interests to other stakeholders, such as the Arkansas Legislature.”
Barron will progress for consideration for the Arkansas School Counselor of the Year and, possibly, the American School Counselor of the Year, Raberding said. Arkansas will announce the SCOY at the association’s summer conference in July. The national award is anticipated to be announced in the fall of 2023.