SAISD Employees Receive Rhosine Fleming Awards from Texas School Counselor Association

Two San Angelo ISD employees were recognized during the Texas School Counselor Association Professional Counselor Conference. 

San Angelo ISD is proud to announce Dr. Amy Lemaster, Principal of Lone Star Middle School, has been named a Rhosine Fleming Award Campus Administrator of the Year by Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas (CREST) sponsored by the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA). The Campus Administrator of the Year award is awarded annually to an outstanding school counselor at each level based on a letter of recommendation detailing significant contributions to the field of school counseling. Professional school counseling experience and leadership participation in the areas of supervision, professional development, program implementation and/or program advocacy are also considered.

Lemaster, who is serving her fourth year as Lone Star Middle School Principal, restructured the school’s counseling department to better serve students. She rearranged duties to allow the counselors more time to observe and interact with students.

“Amy Lemaster has created an incredible culture of intentionality and collaboration on the Lone Star Campus,” said Shelly Huddleston, SAISD Chief of School Leadership. “She has ensured that the wonderful counseling staff on her campus is fully supported in their efforts to care for the social, emotional, and academic needs of students. San Angelo ISD is fortunate to have her leadership and the faculty and staff at Lone Star value and appreciate her.”

SAISD is also proud to announce that Rachel Gandar, a counselor at Lake View High School, received the TSCA Rhosine Fleming Secondary School Counselor of the Year award.

Gandar has been the spirit behind many beneficial and engaging initiatives including implementation of a Spanish Heritage Month Speaker Series and a Senior Night which provides seniors and their families resources pertinent to graduation and college. She was also instrumental in initiating an advisory council for the Lake View High School Counseling Department which consists of administrators, school counselors, teachers, parents, community members and students.

Gandar has served as a counselor for elementary, middle and high school levels at San Angelo ISD and has also served as an adjunct faculty member for Angelo State University in Professional School Counseling. Gandar currently serves as High School VP Board Member for the TSCA. She has served as president of the Three Rivers Counseling Association and continues to be actively involved.

The CREST awards recognize schools across Texas that appropriately utilize their Professional School Counselors and demonstrate a continuous commitment to building a campus team and programs based on the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, endorsed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). CREST is a continuous improvement document that school counseling programs can use to demonstrate effective communication and a commitment to obtaining results. 

The Rhosine Fleming Award was established in memory of Rhosine DuBose Fleming, who was a counselor for Richardson ISD when she died in 1971. Rhosine was instrumental in the organization of TSCA in 1966 and served as TSCA Secretary. This award is given each year to an outstanding school counselor at each level and stands as a living memorial to Rhosine’s dedication, professional involvement, and growth.

Please join us in congratulating and thanking our outstanding CREST award winners who truly make a difference in our students' lives! To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.