Deerpark Middle School Counselor Marisa Canowas named the 2021 Kathryn Everest Advocacy Award winner by the Lone Star State School Counseling Association (LSSSCA).
Cano was selected for her demonstration of exemplary advocacy through long-term support for school counseling. Criteria to be nominated for the award included:
- Advocacy work with and for school counselors
- Implementing programs or processes that support school counselors and student outcomes
- Collaborating with national, state and/or local leaders to support the role of the school counselor
- Providing leadership in the area of school counselor education
- Demonstrating exceptional leadership in school counseling
Cano’s work to advocate for school counseling includes participating in the Statewide Legislative Advocacy Day, where she met with legislators to promote S.B. 179 which requires that school counselors spend at least 80 percent of their time on statutorily-defined counseling duties. In addition, she shared her testimony with the Legislative Education Committee in favor of S.B. 179 at the Texas Capital on April 27, 2021. The bill was ultimately passed and became effective in September.
“I was one of many fighting to get S.B. 179 passed, and was honored to be selected for the award, especially since I’m still very new to advocating on a policy level,” Cano said. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs because our kids are worth it and so are we.”
