Longtime Educator Named Cherokee Counselor of the Year

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Boston Elementary School counselor Sue Hartwell chose to move from the classroom to the counseling office in order to have more one-on-one time with students, in hopes of making more of an impact on individual lives.

The 40-year veteran in education has been richly rewarded for that decision, helping students and families thrive through her conscientious and tireless efforts to help — and to heal.

Hartwell’s outstanding contributions to her school, her students and her community led to her selection as the Cherokee County School District’s 2015 Counselor of The Year.

Hartwell was reading to students in the media center on Tuesday, March 17, when she was surprised by Cherokee County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo and Boston Elementary School Principal Joey Moss, along with her husband, John, and several of her peers, including 2014 COTY Liz Ray, who placed a handmade glitter-encrusted “COTY” sash on the teary-eyed 2015 honoree.

Dr. Petruzielo recognized Hartwell’s use of “grief boxes” to help children cope with a loss and her formation of the Boston Buddies club for community service as evidence of her many ways of reaching students. She coordinates testing for the school, which takes a calm, cool demeanor in the midst of stress, he noted, as well as tracking attendance patterns and promoting career exploration opportunities for students.

“You do so many wonderful things here,” Dr. Petruzielo said. “As a counselor, you have the responsibility of forging that relationship between the home and the school. For students to understand the importance of giving back, they must see that behavior modeled, and you do that every day. Your work is truly appreciated.”

John Hartwell, bearing pink roses for his wife, said the children and teachers at Boston are more than just people to serve or work with.

“Everybody is family to her,” he said.

Hartwell also mentioned that his wife’s counseling efforts extend beyond the school and into the community, as she counsels a women’s group at their church as well.

Principal Joey Moss also had high praise for Hartwell’s character and work ethic, which she said are unmatched.

“Mrs. Hartwell makes a strong, positive impact on not only me, but also on anyone in her realm of influence,” said Ms. Moss. “Her sincerity and authenticity are genuine, as she strives to make a difference in the lives of those around her.”

Hartwell began her teaching career in Kansas in 1974. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Northern Colorado, and later earned a master’s degree in counselor education from Sam Houston State University in Texas. She and her husband moved to Woodstock in 2004, and she was hired as a counselor at Clayton Elementary School and transferred to Boston in 2007.

Hartwell, the finalist for the Etowah Innovation Zone, will be eligible for the Georgia Counselor of the Year recognition later this year.

The other Innovation Zone finalists are:

• Cherokee Zone: Katie Williams, Knox Elementary School
• Creekview Zone: Angel Jane, Avery Elementary School
• River Ridge Zone: Adrienne Warnken, Little River Elementary School
• Sequoyah Zone: Maria Baldwin, Sequoyah High School
• Woodstock Zone: Lauren Moss, Freedom Middle School

Photo 1: Sue Hartwell, right, hugs 2014 COTY Liz Ray from Carmel ES as Dr. Frank Petruzielo looks on.
Photo 2: Sue Hartwell, right, shares a laugh with her husband John, left, at the surprise award presentation on March 17 when she was named CCSD Counselor of the Year.
Photo 3: CCSD Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo presents Sue Hartwell with a plaque recognizing her Counselor of the Year award.
Photo 4: Dr. Petruzielo announces to a class of third-graders in the Boston ES media center that their counselor has won the award as Counselor of the Year.
Photo 5: From left, John Hartwell, Sue Hartwell, Dr. Frank Petruzielo, and Boston ES Principal Joey Moss.
Credits: Cherokee County School District