Kehrs Mill Elementary Counselor is Among Rockwood's Counselors of the Year

Rhonda Mozingo, Kehrs Mill Elementary guidance counselor in Chesterfield, was recognized with the Elementary Counselor of the Year award for Rockwood School District.

"All the counselors at Rockwood work so hard, any of them could have gotten this award," Mozingo tells Patch.

"I'm honored, and humbled."

Each year, a committee of Rockwood parents, teachers and counseling staff review the award nominations and select counselors for recognition based on their leadership, innovation and outstanding service to the school community.

Mozingo has been based at Kehrs Mill for 10 years. She offers students assistance with difficult topics, such as divorce, bullying and grief. She said Rockwood counselors recently went from a care team to the Professional Learning Center (PLC) model.

In 2010, Mozingo and Michelle Schafer at Kehrs Mill were awarded a $100 Matching Grant titled, School Club Connections from the Rockwood Schools Foundation. The grant was used to fund the 4A’s Club, which teaches study and test taking strategies, and sets achievement goals for Voluntary Transfer Students. 

"Expectations on students are huge these days. I think parents are more anxious, given the economy, and so now I see more anxiety in students," said Mozingo.

She said she currently deals with more students going through the transitions of divorcing parents. "But I also get to see the good and the great things, too."

In-class sessions that Mozingo teaches fall into three categories:  personal and social skills; test-taking skills; and career readiness. While teaching students how to be a good friend is an important part of the students' education, she said they also start in kindergarten with connecting for students how their choices and opportunities eventually relate to careers.

Mozingo said she enjoys the consistency of working with children from kindergarten through fifth grade. "I really get to know them and their families."

She now has the chance to represent Rockwood in the St. Louis Suburban and Missouri School Counseling Association Awards program.