ABILENE – The teachers and staff of the Abilene ISD continued their tradition of widespread recognition for excellence last week when Melissa Beyer, school counselor at Taylor Elementary, was named the Region 14 Counselor of the Year. In a ceremony at the Region 14 Service Center, Beyer was recognized for her outstanding record of service to the students and staff at Taylor, including going above and beyond to help many at Taylor during the stressful year induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Melissa Beyer is an amazing counselor. She takes care of our students, our staff, and our families,” said Taylor principal Keri Thornburg, who attended the Region 14 ceremony. “Everyone counts on her to be the glue that holds us all together and she is more than deserving of this honor.”
A former AISD student at Taylor Elementary, Franklin Middle School, and Abilene High School, Beyer has been a teacher since 1988 and a school counselor since 2001. The Taylor community has a special place in her heart, as all three of her children attended Taylor and her husband was invited to be an honorary Taylor Trojan. Beyer now proudly serves Taylor students via individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, character education, and career discovery.
“I feel very honored and surprised,” said Beyer when asked about being honored by her peers from across Region 14. “We don’t do counseling for awards, but it’s nice to be recognized knowing all that we do for the kids to help them venture out and do better things for their lives.”
Beyer will be recognized for this achievement by the AISD Board of Trustees at their meeting on Monday, March 15. Community members are encouraged to watch the live stream of the meeting on the AISD Facebook page to celebrate Beyer’s accomplishment.
