City school’s college, career head named administrator of the year
STAMFORD — A Stamford schools employee has been selected as the state’s administrator of the year by an association of school counselors.
Rebecca Wilson, who heads Stamford school’s college and career readiness programs and has been with the department since 2002, was given the award by the Connecticut School Counselor Association.
“I come to work each day because I’m drawn to purposes that have an impact and I enjoy working around people who feel the same,” Wilson said in a press release from Stamford Public Schools. “The people I work with every day are just as committed to making an impact, so it inspires and challenges me. I know I have been called to do the work I am doing and want to do the best that I can for our students and families.”
In her current position, Wilson is in charge of the district’s school counseling program, where she develops training for teachers, counselors and administrators. Wilson also oversees college and career readiness programs in the school system.
Associate Superintendent Olympia Della Flora, who oversees school development, nominated Wilson for the award.
“Rebecca Wilson is a role model not just for staff but also for students and families,” Della Flora said in the
Rebecca Wilson has worked in Stamford schools for two decades and heads the department’s college and career readiness programs
release. “She goes above and beyond to make sure that any academic and social emotional barriers that exist are addressed so that all students can achieve their goals. (She) is unafraid to be authentic while also having critical conversations that are much needed to continue progress towards college and career readiness for all students.”
Amy Beldotti, another associate superintendent, said she was not surprised when she found out Wilson won the award.
“This is wonderful recognition of her work leading our school counseling department in providing a high-quality, equitable counseling experience for our middle and high school students,” Beldotti said in the release.
Wilson, who has a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University and a master’s degree from Fordham University, is working on acquiring a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision, the district said.
“I chose to become a school counselor because I knew I would have access to hundreds of students and wanted to give back what was given to me when I was a student while attending Stamford Schools,” she said.
“These are some of the same things that inspired me to be an educator. I also felt a longing to give what I didn’t get and wish that I had,” she said. “The teenagers brought me great joy and taught me so much. They gave me more than I could ever give them. I am still in touch with many of my former students who are now amazing adults.”