Jackson School Counselor Receives Wisconsin Counselor of the Year
Jackson Elementary School Counselor Tammy Van Ess was awarded the 2025 Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year at a surprise school assembly on October 15, 2024.
Three students spoke at the assembly and gave examples of how Van Ess made a difference in their lives.
The Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year award recognizes a school counselor who devotes their career to serving as an advocate for Wisconsin students, addressing their academic, social-emotional, and career development.
Award recipients are determined based on their contributions to the school counseling program, leadership, and service to their community.
Van Ess is best known for her work in creating the Hunger Heroes food pantry at Jackson Elementary.
The School Counselor of the Year will be recognized in November during the Wisconsin School Counselor Association's annual conference. Van Ess will represent Wisconsin in the 2026 National School Counselor of the Year process and during the American School Counselor of the Year celebration in February of 2026.