Christie Barnes of Lee Middle School has been named the 2025 Coweta County School System Counselor of the Year.

The recognition honors exemplary school counseling professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for students, helping them achieve success in school and in life.  Nominations are open to all school counselors of the Coweta County School System who have three consecutive years of school counseling service in the district in the same role and school at the time of the nomination.  School counselors may be nominated by any employee of the Coweta County School System.

Barnes was formally recognized Wednesday at Lee Middle School during a surprise visit. “Mrs. Barnes does a fantastic job serving and advocating for students and is an excellent representative of all of the phenomenal  counselors across our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Evan Horton.

Lee Middle School Principal Dr. Amy Westbrook shared that “Mrs. Barnes pours her heart into Lee Middle School every day, supporting our students and making our school a better place for everyone!”

Barnes is now eligible to compete in the state Counselor of the Year program sponsored by the Georgia School Counselor Association.

The Coweta Counselor of the Year is recognized for providing professional leadership within his or her school and community. The counselor demonstrates a creative approach to the delivery of school counseling services, collaborates with professionals and parents to provide quality support and interventions, and implements a comprehensive standards-based school counselor program that supports all students.  The counselor also supports opportunities for all students to become college and career ready, in alignment with Georgia CTAE and Coweta County School System goals and priorities.

The recognition process begins with nominations from across the district.  Applications from these nominees are considered by a panel of retired and former counselors and district staff members who select the CCSS Counselor of the Year.