Matt Weller, USD 379 Communications Coordinator

Photo Courtesy of USD 379

Lincoln Elementary School counselor DeAnna Coughlin has earned National Board Certification in School Counseling, becoming one of only seven school counselors in the state of Kansas to hold the prestigious distinction. She joins a small and elite group, as only she and LES 2nd grade teacher Randi Weller currently hold National Board status within USD 379.

For Coughlin, the four years it took her to complete the process was far more than a professional milestone. It reshaped the way she approaches her work as a school counselor.

“National Boards made me much more reflective and intentional in my practice,” she said. “I don’t just choose a lesson because it’s fun. Every lesson is part of a unit tied to Kansas standards and to the American School Counselor Association framework. I know the ‘why’ behind what I do, and I can clearly articulate it.”

National Board Certification is considered one of the highest credentials an educator can earn. Candidates must complete four components that include portfolio work, analysis of teaching or counseling practices, video submissions, and a content knowledge assessment. The work is evaluated anonymously by certified peers in the same field — in this case, other National Board Certified school counselors from across the nation.

“It’s incredibly validating to have professionals in your own field evaluate your work without knowing who you are or where you’re from,” Coughlin said. “When they approve what you’re doing and provide feedback, it’s one of the most rewarding professional experiences you can have.”

USD 379 aims to reward educators who undergo this strenuous process by offering a $2,000 annual stipend for each of the five years the certification is active, totaling $10,000 before recertification is necessary at the end of the five year period. The State of Kansas also supports candidates by covering the cost of two components. Each component currently costs $475, making financial assistance a significant benefit.

Coughlin encourages any USD 379 staff member interested in the process to start by talking with someone who has completed it. “If you just read the requirements on paper, it can feel overwhelming,” she said. “But hearing from someone who’s been through it makes the process feel realistic and doable.”

For Coughlin, the journey was worth every hour invested. “It’s not just a certification,” she said. “It gave me confidence, clarity, and validation that the work I’m doing truly matters.”