Making a Difference: The School Counselor

In recent years, Virginia has recognized the importance of mental health resources in our schools. To provide better access to those resources, lawmakers have implemented guidelines that require additional school counselors at all levels across the Commonwealth. Isle of Wight County Schools has increased the number of counselors throughout the division, which has proved invaluable to our students, teachers and parents, even more so since the pandemic. Here we hear from them and why the role of school counselor is so important in the schools and why they choose to do what they do. IWCS Vision: To create a learning environment that will enable every child to discover his or her unique gifts and talents. IWCS Mission: To enhance and expand on each child’s unique gifts and talents to ensure every child is college, career and life ready. Division Overview Isle of Wight County Schools provides quality public education to approximately 5,500 students in nine schools (five elementary, two middle schools, and two high schools). The school division is considered mid-sized for the Commonwealth of Virginia, providing an array of rigorous and diverse programs that few school systems of similar size can match. Yet, the division is small enough to provide an education centered on each child's educations needs and interests. Collaborative planning and innovative strategies are the hallmark of the division's motto, Tomorrow's Ideas for Today's Students. The division is the recipient of numerous national, regional, and state commendations, including Title I Distinguished Schools, Virginia Index of Performance Awards, National Merit Scholars, Fulbright Foundation Scholars, and many more