The Ohio School Counselor Association honored a seasoned guidance force earlier this year. Kate Webster, a retired counselor from Columbus City Schools, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, as CCS announced. Webster has clocked in more than three decades working with students, during which she made her mark through student advocacy, mentoring counselors and policy work. "Kate Webster embodies what it means to dedicate a lifetime to service," Laura Hogue, OSCA Board President, said in a statement obtained by Columbus City Schools.
Beginning as a teacher at Windsor Elementary School, Webster's journey took a different turn as she found herself stepping into the realm of high school counseling, initially part-time at Beechcroft High School. This stint would evolve into 15 years as the District's high school resource counselor. Webster was pivotal in implementing a comprehensive counseling plan, keeping tabs on legislative updates, and devising professional development programs for her peers.
Webster's dedication resonated through the education community, with recognition coming from within the ranks. Carrie Plourde, Como Elementary counselor and 2024 OSCA School Counselor of the Year recipient, named Webster among those most proud of her achievement in a statement to CCS. "Kate is just a wonderful person in every way,” Plourde recounted, acknowledging Webster's profound impact on her career and the broader educational department.
In retirement, Webster hasn't slowed her pace of support but rather shifted the arena to direct student service. She volunteers at Student Success Stores within CCS buildings from Tuesday to Thursday. Her role focuses on providing essentials like food, personal hygiene items, and clothes to students. For Webster, who spoke to Columbus City Schools, this phase of work is the "icing," eliminating the bureaucratics of spreadsheets in favor of the human touch – seeing students' faces light up in gratitude.
As CCS celebrates Webster’s lifetime achievement, her legacy is evident in the counselors she mentored and the students she inspires. Her impact showcases the rich potential for leadership and compassion within the educational framework, continuing to play a crucial role in the lives of many.
