LIHUE — In conjunction with National School Counseling Week 2025, the Hawaii Department of Education and the American School Counselor Association announced Noelani Butcher of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School as the 2025 American School Counselor Association’s Hawaii School Counselor of the Year.
Butcher and other school counselors of the year were recognized in an ASCA ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30.
“School counselors have a tremendous impact in guiding our students in and outside the classroom” said Schools Superintendent Keith Hayashi in the announcement. “Congratulations to Noelani for being a great example of providing students with easy and inclusive ways to get the support they need to succeed in school.”
The ASCA School Counselor of the Year award honors professionals who devote their careers to advocating for the nation’s students and addressing their academic and social-emotional development as well as college and career readiness needs, the announcement stated.
Honorees were judged on their ability to create systematic change within the school counseling profession.
“Helping students reach their potential and providing them with support and guidance at school is the most rewarding part of my job,” said Butcher, who oversees eighth-grade students. “When I get to hear students talk about how they have overcome a personal challenge and talk about their future positively because of the guidance I provided them, that is the reason I am so passionate about counseling.”
Butcher worked with a local food bank to develop The Needs Closet that has food, including free snacks for all students, hygiene items and school supplies aimed at meeting students’ needs.
“My ultimate goal was to strengthen our school’s academic achievement by encouraging healthy eating, and providing nutritious snack options for our students,” Butcher said.
She said that since delivering fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy snacks daily to students, teachers have reported that students are more attentive in class and ready to learn.
Another program that Butcher created was Da Gameroom, a space where students can socialize and have fun during recess by playing games like air hockey, ping pong and pool for more chances to socialize.
“Not all students like to play sports or walk around during their recess time,” she said. “Da Gameroom is a safe space where all students are welcome to play and meet new people.”
Butcher has been a school counselor since 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in General Education, and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of North Texas.
Additionally, Butcher has a master’s degree in Psychology-School Counseling from the University of Texas A&M, and earned her National Board of Certification from the American School Counseling Association in 2014.
National School Counseling Week is celebrated Feb. 3-7 to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems.
