Tennessee Connections

Conference Content Still Available

Did you miss out on our virtual conference? We've got you set! We are offering an all-access pass to watch the speakers on demand. Register now for the conference, “Cultivate Courage, Initiate Conversation” and access the recordings until September 30.

Please note: We add new registrants manually once per week. You will receive a login email from GTR (not TSCA) with a link to create an account and access all the videos.
 

Celebrating Excellence in Tennessee

Congratulations to our school counselor of the year Allyson Evans. Allyson has been the school counselor at Sycamore Elementary School in Cookeville, Tenn., for 10 years. Sycamore's school counseling program received RAMP recognition in February 2021 for having an ASCA National Model program. Allyson is passionate about teaching students life skills that will help them have a more successful life. When she is not working, she is trying to keep up with my two awesome and wild little boys. She has been married 14 years to her best friend, Nathan. They love to travel and eat yummy food. Around school, she is known as the "ice cream lady" for her love of ice cream. She loves working with students, collaborating with others to help students succeed and advocating for this wonderful career. 

When she heard about her award, Allyson said, "The state of Tennessee is full of amazing and well-deserving counselors. I am honored and humbled to be the school counselor of the year."


We are also thrilled to honor Matt Alder, Tennessee administrator of the year. Matt is the principal of Lakeland Preparatory School in Lakeland, Tenn. He opened the school in 2017 with grades 5–8 and is currently preparing to add grades 9–12, beginning with ninth grade in the fall of 2022. He has served as an educator for 21 years and as an administrator for the last seven years. Matt believes school counselors are at the core of a healthy school culture and that the support school counselors provide all stakeholders is priceless. From academic support to supporting the social/emotional well-being of students, school counselors play a vital role in a healthy school climate, which makes them invaluable. 

Matt is passionate about education and wants the best for every child who walks through the doors of Lakeland Preparatory. Matt has an 11-year-old son and has been married to his wife for 16 years. When he is not working, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family.

When Matt was notified of the award, he stated, “I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award and look forward to many more years in education supporting the work of school counselors.”