ALBANY — TeShaunda L. Hannor-Walker, Ph.D., from the Dougherty County School System has been named one of the top 10 school counselors in America. She is one of more than 230 elementary, middle and secondary school counselors nationwide who were nominated for the School Counselor of the Year award. The award, which is presented by the American School Counselor Association, honors the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates and often lifesavers for the nation’s students.

The School Counselor of the Year awards program was open to all 100,000 members of the school counseling profession. The top ten school counselors were nominated by their peers and administrators and judged by a select panel to be the “best of the best.”

The candidates were judged on several criteria, including: creative school counseling innovations, effective counseling programs, leadership skills and contributions to student advancement.

Hannor-Walker, along with the other nine finalists, will be flown to Washington, D.C. , on Feb. 2 for three days of celebratory events. The honorees will have meetings with their members of Congress, attend a Congressional briefing and reception, and be formally recognized at a black-tie gala.

Hannor-Walker is a native of Macon County and is the oldest daughter of Voncile Hannor and stepdaughter of T.J. Adams of Oglethorpe, and the granddaughter of the late John and Annie Mae Hannor of Montezuma. She is married to Jacque’ M. Walker and has a daughter named Justice. She has a doctoral in human services with a specialization in counseling studies and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Fort Valley State University.

Hannor-Walker is an author, speaker, trainer, part-time graduate professor at Albany State University, a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified School Counselor. She is currently a member of First Monumental Faith Ministries in Albany and a “life-time” member of First United Holiness Church in Montezuma. She has a strong conviction for Christ and loves helping others. She gives all the glory to God. For more information about Hannor-Walker, you can visit her website at www.addmorepeace.com or www.powerfulnotpowerless.com.

About the American School Counselor Association The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) professional organization based in Alexandria  Va. ASCA promotes student success by expanding the image and influence of professional school counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change. ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic achievement, personal and social development, and career planning to help today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of society. Founded in 1952, ASCA currently has a network of 50 state associations and a membership of more than 28,000 school counseling professionals.