October 29, 2024
Como Elementary students soar to new heights thanks to Carrie Plourde! Her warm smile brightens every student’s day as she provides the emotional support her students need to be successful.
Through her leadership and dedication as school counselor at Como to the school’s S.O.A.R. (stay safe, ownership of actions, act appropriately, respect others) initiative, Plourde has earned the prestigious Elementary School Counselor of the Year award and Best Overall Ohio School Counselor of the Year Award from the Ohio School Counselor Association.
“Every school I go into, I lead with love and kindness,” Plourde said. “I build solid relationships with every kid in that building and with my teachers and families because I could not do this without them. It takes a village to change a community and uplift the world. I believe every kid has power, and it’s our job to help them feel inspired and lead with passion and purpose.”
As the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coordinator, Plourde has helped Como's approach to behavioral management reach new heights by significantly reducing suspensions and creating a sensory room to support students. Her leadership in emotional regulation and behavioral interventions has led to a dramatic decrease in behavior referrals and contributed to the school’s receipt of a State Gold Medal Award in PBIS.
“Plourde's work here at Como has been incredibly impactful for our students,” said Principal of Como, Leania Alli. “She is dedicated to sharpening their mindsets and opening up the world to them, such as with her annual Passion and Purpose Fair. Students have the opportunity to see that no matter what their passion, there is a career for it. Plourde seeks out the greatest variety of professionals to bring to our students, which inspires them to Dream Big!”
This belief in empowering students drives Plourde’s collaboration with colleagues and families, most notably through her annual Passion and Purpose Fair. Planned with the support of staff from across the District, this event brings Como Elementary to life, offering students a hands-on opportunity to explore various careers and hobbies. By encouraging self-efficacy and perseverance, the fair has inspired other schools to follow suit.
“The students love hearing about all the careers that are represented,” said English Language Arts Instructor at Como Elementary, Jennifer Neuhardt. “Her systems and procedures have been used multiple times by the District for training other schools because they are exemplary. We are so lucky to have her as our school counselor.”
Beyond her role as a counselor, Plourde has been a driving force in redefining student support and played a key role in implementing calming spaces in classrooms, which give students the tools to self-regulate and manage their emotions more effectively. This initiative has significantly contributed to the school’s near-elimination of in-school suspensions.
"I always knew I was going to be in education," said Plourde. "Through my experiences, I learned that a child's emotional peace is the first step to learning, and if you have that figured out, you can accomplish anything."
Plourde’s leadership has transformed Como Elementary, proving that with dedicated support, schools can overcome adversity and create thriving environments for students. Counselors like Plourde assist to address academics and excel in impacting behavioral challenges by instilling hope, confidence, and purpose in students. Plourde’s recognition highlights the far-reaching impact school counselors have in guiding students toward success, both in and out of the classroom.
