Spring Garden Middle School Celebrates "Counselor of the Year"
By: Sarah Hatten
Updated: March 18, 2013
(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) It's safe to say students aren't shy when it comes to picking favorites.
"She's one of those people you'll always remember in middle school. You always remember that one teacher that you love the most and I think that's Ms. Bowers," said Royale Majewski, Spring Garden 8th grader.
When Spring Garden's Lorraine Bowers was dubbed the "Middle School Counselor of the Year" by the Northwest Missouri School Counselor Association, many were not surprised.
"I don't think there's anyone else in any school that deserves this more than Ms. Bowers," said Brevin Miller, 8th grader.
"She is very compassionate, yet firm, so that's a skill set she brings to the table and she is amazing in the work that she does," said Spring Garden Principal, Lara Gilpin.
Bowers has been working at Spring Garden for the past 13 years, helping however she can.
She speaks to classrooms, smaller groups, and even does one-on-one counseling, maintaining an open door policy.
"There are a lot of struggles and she's one of the persons you can come to and talk to anytime of the day if you need her. And, anything really, she's like a school mom," said Majewski.
Bowers said the award is nice, but she doesn't need praise to do a job she loves.
"I want to be here every day and every day is different and I enjoy being around the kids and whether I get the award or not, I'm going to keep doing this as long as I can," said Bowers.
The real honor is overwhelming approval from her students.
"She's a good person all around. She's someone you can come to for anything," said Isabella Higgins, Spring Garden 8th grader.
"When a teacher talks, there are always kids in the class who have side conversations, but when Ms. Bowers talks, people listen," said Miller.
Bowers has been involved in education for almost three decades. She has been with the St. Joseph School District for 20 years.
"She's one of those people you'll always remember in middle school. You always remember that one teacher that you love the most and I think that's Ms. Bowers," said Royale Majewski, Spring Garden 8th grader.
When Spring Garden's Lorraine Bowers was dubbed the "Middle School Counselor of the Year" by the Northwest Missouri School Counselor Association, many were not surprised.
"I don't think there's anyone else in any school that deserves this more than Ms. Bowers," said Brevin Miller, 8th grader.
"She is very compassionate, yet firm, so that's a skill set she brings to the table and she is amazing in the work that she does," said Spring Garden Principal, Lara Gilpin.
Bowers has been working at Spring Garden for the past 13 years, helping however she can.
She speaks to classrooms, smaller groups, and even does one-on-one counseling, maintaining an open door policy.
"There are a lot of struggles and she's one of the persons you can come to and talk to anytime of the day if you need her. And, anything really, she's like a school mom," said Majewski.
Bowers said the award is nice, but she doesn't need praise to do a job she loves.
"I want to be here every day and every day is different and I enjoy being around the kids and whether I get the award or not, I'm going to keep doing this as long as I can," said Bowers.
The real honor is overwhelming approval from her students.
"She's a good person all around. She's someone you can come to for anything," said Isabella Higgins, Spring Garden 8th grader.
"When a teacher talks, there are always kids in the class who have side conversations, but when Ms. Bowers talks, people listen," said Miller.
Bowers has been involved in education for almost three decades. She has been with the St. Joseph School District for 20 years.
