Shawnee Middle School counselor named Counselor of the Year
SHAWNEE, Okla. (KFOR) – A Shawnee school counselor has been named Oklahoma Counselor of the Year.
Beth Mills, a counselor at Shawnee Middle School (SMS), was named 2024-2025 Counselor of the Year by the Oklahoma School Counselor Association (OSCA) during an all-school assembly on Wednesday.
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“Beth Mills is a dynamic and effective counselor,” said SMS Principal Keely Tolin. “All who come in contact with her walk away feeling encouraged and uplifted.”
According to Shawnee Public Schools, Mills is one of three counselors at SMS. During her career as counselor, she has worked alongside stakeholders to make a huge impact on her students, their school, and district, OSCA said.
Officials say Mills served three years on the OSCA Board and was part of the state committee that developed the School Counseling Comprehensive Framework. They worked together to align the framework with the American School Counselor Association National Model.
“As a leader in our building, she keeps an open mind and approaches every situation with a positive attitude,” Tolin added. “Beth believes that all students can learn and works to ensure that needs are being met so that each student can be successful in the classroom.”
Some of Mills’ achievements include making morning videos called “Mondays with Mills” to build relationships with students. She also created “Wolves After Hours”, an after-school program which provides a safe and positive place for students who need help with work, according to Shawnee Public Schools.
“Beth is a joy to have on our counseling team,” said Michelle Wallace, coordinator of counseling and community engagement for Shawnee Public Schools. “Her wealth of knowledge is integral to creating and supporting a counseling program. Best of all, she is a caring adult that students, parents and staff can turn to in a time of need.”
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The OSCA describes Mills as a counselor who is passionate about working with others to make a positive difference in students’ lives.
“She is an advocate and champion for equity and systemic change, and we are so proud of all the hard work she has done. We look forward to her continued excellence and success,” the association said.
As the Oklahoma winner, Mills is now eligible for the ASCA School Counselor of the Year award.
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