Round Rock ISD Counseling Services Coordinator Dr. LaShanda Lewis has been named Director of Advocacy for the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSCA). It’s a role that will put her in a position to serve school counselors and students across the state during the upcoming legislative session.
“I am honored to be elected as the LSSSCA Directory of Advocacy. School counselors are an integral part of the school system as they work to support the holistic wellness of all students,” Lewis said. “As the newly elected Director for our State organization, I hope to continue to work with local and state education groups and lawmakers to define the role of further and provide support for school counselors not only in Round Rock ISD but across Texas.”
As Director of Advocacy, she will work to be a voice for the school counselors and influence the work done in the upcoming legislative session on factors affecting the counselor’s role within school settings and promoting the mental, social, personal, and academic well-being of students. It is work that Dr. Lewis knows can have many benefits for students if pursued.
“We know that students learn best when all their needs are met,” Lewis said. “If campuses have the appropriate number of school counselors and the school counselors are able to work directly with students to nurture and foster growth, students will be better able to excel not only academically but socially and emotionally as well.”
Dr. Lewis was elected by school counselors across Texas to serve as Director of Advocacy for the year. Although her term officially starts in February 2021, she has already begun working and meeting with current LSSCA Board Members in preparation for the legislative session. It’s a preparation that she hopes will help meet her ultimate goal for counselors and students.
“My ultimate goal is to ensure that every campus has the necessary number of school counselors and that the school counselors are allotted the appropriate amount of time during the school day to provide for the social, emotional, mental, and academic well-being,” Lewis said.
The next Texas Legislative session begins in 2021.
