![](https://www.liberty.edu/alumni/wp-content/uploads/20160407_9769MB-scaled.jpg)
LU Alumna is Awarded the Elementary School Counselor of 2023 in Virginia
Friday, June 9, 2023 | 2:53 PM
More Alumni Spotlight articles![2023 Elementary School Counselor of the Year - Sarah Ritchie, King George Elementary School in King George, VA](https://www.liberty.edu/alumni/wp-content/uploads/Sarah-Ritchie1-1024x1024.jpg)
Sarah Ritchie, a 2018 graduate of Liberty University’s M.Ed. in School Counseling Program was named Elementary School Counselor of the Year (2023) by the Virginia School Counselor Association (VSCA) and Division Educator of the Year (2023) by her school division, King George County in Virginia.
In addition to managing a comprehensive school counseling program, she also serves as the Communications and Public Relations Chair for the VSCA where she will soon be stepping into a Board of Directors seat and active member of the Board of Directors for Rappahannock Community Services Board. She runs an after school Kindness Crew at her elementary school that focuses on self esteem growth, school morale and community giveback.
Sarah is the Division SEL Coordinator, a kindness curriculum writer and a conference speaker on the power of kindness.
Sarah attributes much of her best memories and growth while attending LU to her professor, Dr. Rita Schellenberg. Sarah express that Dr. Schellenberg teaches “with love and dedication to the counseling profession”. She was honored to have Dr. Schellenberg sit in on her State presentation and fondly remembers walking across the stage to receive her masters degree and being met with a hug from her beloved professor. Sarah was asked how Liberty prepared her for life after graduation. Here was her response: “I felt self confidence as soon as I walked off the graduation stage. The program is developed to allow students to develop a drive and passion for what they studied. And even after graduation, my professors were available to help with questions and guidance.” Congratulations to Sarah Ritchie on this prestigious honor!
Previous
2016 Interior Design Alumna is Recognized as Detroit Design Awards' Rising StarAlumni Spotlight