Allen, Perry and Thompson earn silver RAVE award

MADISON – School counselors Stephanie Allen, Cindy Perry and Becky Thompson have received the Silver “Recognition of Accountability, Verification and Excellence” Award.

The Madison counselors received their Silver RAVEs at the 2017 Alabama School Counselor Association Awards Luncheon on Nov. 16 in Mobile.

Created in 2004, RAVE “is a continuous improvement document that gives a school counseling program an opportunity to demonstrate effective communication,” Madison City Schools Grant Administrator Cindy Davis said.

An advisory group of school counselors, system/district supervisors and Alabama Department of Education developed RAVE. Recipients are committed to implementing an outcome-based, data-driven program. As a guide, they use “Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model” for Alabama Public Schools.

“Year one of the RAVE application process, a school counselor earns the Bronze RAVE, the second year a Silver RAVE and the third year a Gold RAVE,” Davis said.

Allen joined West Madison’s staff in 2013. Previously, she worked for Eagle Counseling group, practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor and coordinated intervention/prevention counseling with The Enrichment Center.

At Samford University, Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in human development. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she received a master’s degree in counseling.

“Children need to be equipped with important social skills … and cope and persevere in challenging circumstances,” Allen said. “We can never underestimate the power of play. Children need time to play, create, imagine and interact with peers.”

Her husband Robbie Allen works as Chief of Test Integration for ERC Inc. on Redstone Test Center. Their sons are third-grader Parker, kindergartner Asher and three-year-old Graham.

Thompson worked at Huntsville Mental Health Center as a therapist and at New Hope Elementary School as a counselor before starting at Rainbow in 2002.

At the University of Alabama, Thompson earned a bachelor’s degree and education specialist credentials. At Alabama A&M University, she received a master’s degree.

“I believe children need to learn the importance of being respectful and responsible in all aspects of their lives,” Thompson said.

Her husband Wade Thompson is a manager at KBR Wyle. Their daughter Sarah Brown graduated from UA in nursing. Their son Lee Thompson is a senior at UA, majoring in mechanical engineering.

A native of Huntsville, Perry has worked at Columbia since its opening in 2004 and previously taught kindergartners and was a counselor for 15 years. She earned degrees at Athens State College and Alabama A&M.

She met her husband in high school. He is a Battalion Chief for Madison Fire and Rescue Department and Lieutenant Colonel for Alabama National Guard. Her daughter will graduate from the University of North Alabama this month. Her son is a UA freshman.