Each year the Missouri School Counselor Association sponsors a counselor of the year from four different levels of education. Rusty Smith is the first MHS counselor to receive the title Missouri Secondary School Counselor of the Year.
In the past, Smith has been awarded both the Rockwood and St. Louis Suburban counselor of the year but has only recently been recognized at the state level.
“It is exciting to be recognized for all the hard work on behalf of my students,” Smith said.
Smith was nominated for counselor of the year by Dr. Shari Sevier, past director of guidance. Sevier said she nominated Smith because he is the “epitome of a great school counselor.”
“Rusty has a perfect blend of caring, initiative, creativity, resourcefulness and a wicked sense of humor,” Sevier said. “His caring has no limits; he’s there for everyone with a kind word, a great idea and a smile. He uses all of these characteristics to serve his students, families and staff members with a high level of professionalism and empathy. I respect his talents and abilities enormously; he’s one in a million and is richly deserving of this award.”
The Missouri counselors of the year will attend an MSCA conference Nov. 6 through 8 where they will be honored with an official plaque received at the awards luncheon, Smith said.
Smith said he has served 27 years in education and is approaching his thirteenth year as a counselor. Smith counsels students with last names beginning with Dee-Jal.
He said he has built many relationships with his students over the years and being named counselor of the year will not change that, except for the positive feedback he has received from the students.
“My strengths are my passion for what I do and making sure I do whatever I can to help students reach their potential,” Smith said.
One of Smith’s students, Hayley DeVinney, junior, said she appreciates Smith’s work.
“I’m glad he got Counselor of the Year,” DeVinney said. “He always helps me manage my schedule really well.”
Another student, Kelly Dunlap, junior, also appreciates the way Smith balances her schedule changes to help fit her needs for the classes she wants.
“I think that Mr. Smith really deserves to win Missouri High School Counselor of the Year. He tries his very best to make his students happy and help them through their high school career,” Dunlap said.
Other counselors are supportive of Smith and credit his achievement as a well-deserved honor, Smith said.
“Mr. Smith is extremely deserving of this recognition,” Bruce Liggett, guidance counselor, said. “He consistently goes above and beyond for the students, parents, and faculty at MHS. We are extremely lucky to have Mr. Smith on the Marquette staff. I wish him the very best as he moves on as a candidate for National Counselor of the Year.”
Smith said he recognizes this support and said it helps him become more successful at work.
“I couldn’t be where I am today without the support of the counseling department and the administration believing in me,” Smith said.