Gifted Program Counselor Earns Statewide Recognition

A counselor at the Center for Creative Learning, Nancy Bonn-Winkler, was named the Missouri Elementary School Counselor of the Year. 

Qualifying Rockwood students from , , , , , and elementary schools attend the center.

The Missouri School Counselor Association told the district of the honor last Friday. The association recognizes one elementary, middle and high school counselor each year as the top counselors in the state.

Bonn-Winkler, in a news release, said she serves children first. 

“I truly enjoy helping students determine how to best tap into their potential,” she said.

She has been a counselor at the center for 20 years.

Students considered academically gifted go the center for one day a week. In the morning, they typically study one subject in-depth, focusing on it for a semester, the center's website states.

In the afternoon, students do what are called "kaleidoscopes." These are high-interest topics they pick out to study for about nine hours throughout several days at the center.

The award for Bonn-Winkler was well deserved, Superintendent Dr. Bruce Borchers said in a news release.

"Not only is it a validation of their contributions to the students, families and schools they serve, but it is a reflection of the district’s outstanding guidance department."

Dr. Linda Smith, the director of gifted education, echoed Borchers and said Bonn-Winkler is an amazing professional.

“We are fortunate to have her on staff and applaud her contributions to our program, our district and the field of counseling gifted students,”  she said in the release.