December Student Development Spotlight: Kayla Johnson
Growing Where She’s Planted: Kayla Johnson’s Impact on Lawton Public Schools
In the heart of Lawton Public Schools, Kayla Johnson is a force of positivity and hope, transforming lives one student at a time. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Candidate with Project AWARE, Kayla serves as a Mental Health Professional across six schools—spanning elementary to high school. Her mission? To help students unpack their “emotional backpacks” in a safe, supportive space.
“She has a gift for reaching students where they are emotionally and connecting with them,” shares a colleague. “Kayla is making a difference!”
And make a difference she does! Every day, Kayla brings her passion, empathy, and unwavering belief in the potential of young people to her work.
For Kayla, her career is more than a job—it’s a calling. “I love being around kids and helping them become all they can be!” she says. “I think it’s important for kids to have positive influences within the school system.”
Her approach is as intuitive as it is impactful. Whether it’s helping a kindergartener navigate big emotions or guiding a high schooler through the complexities of adolescence, Kayla’s presence provides a steady foundation for students facing emotional challenges.
Ask Kayla about the most rewarding part of her work, and her face lights up. “Being able to be a positive light to help kids know that they too can shine in their own way!” she says. This belief in her students’ ability to succeed is at the core of everything she does.
Her favorite quote, “Grow where you are planted,” reflects her personal philosophy and commitment to making the most of every opportunity. “No matter where I am in life, there is always an opportunity to grow and succeed in all the things I do, no matter the place,” she explains.
Supporting students’ mental health and well-being is a profoundly rewarding role, but it’s not without its challenges. When the days feel long, Kayla turns to a simple but effective strategy: positive self-talk.
“I remind myself that I get to be a difference maker in someone’s life,” she says.
And that’s exactly what she is. Whether it’s helping a struggling student find their footing or simply being a kind, listening ear, Kayla’s work ensures that students in Lawton Public Schools not only grow but thrive.
Kayla Johnson is a shining example of what it means to “grow where you are planted.” Through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering belief in the potential of her students, she’s making an indelible mark on the lives of young people in her community.
Thank you, Kayla, for being the positive light so many students need!
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 NEW - Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Hub
We are thrilled to introduce the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Hub: Oklahoma ConnectED Counselors—your one-stop destination for all things school counseling. This dynamic platform provides access to essential resources and documents tailored to your needs, including the newly-released Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Implementation Guide, crisis response tools, college and career guidance, discussion boards, and so much more!
Whether you're seeking support for day-to-day challenges or long-term planning, the Hub is here to empower you in providing the highest quality support for your students. Join today and explore everything the Hub has to offer!
Two ways to join the Hub:
The second option will direct you to Canvas, where you will need to register using the code above. In order to access and participate in discussions and to receive related emails through this site, you will need to register for a Canvas account through the OSDE platform even if you already have a Canvas account through your agency.
If you have questions, please reach out to Christi Sturgeon (christi.sturgeon@sde.ok.gov) or Amy Whitewater (amy.whitewater@sde.ok.gov)
Statewide School Counseling Needs Assessment Survey:
We Need Your Input!
Why Participate?
This survey is a crucial tool to identify the evolving needs of school counselors across Oklahoma. By sharing your experiences and challenges, you'll contribute to shaping statewide policies and resources that directly impact your work and your students.
How It Helps:
Your feedback will guide efforts to:
- Enhance student mental health, academic support, and career readiness programs.
- Provide targeted resources and professional development for school counselors.
- Strengthen advocacy for school counseling across the state.
Quick and Easy:
The survey takes just a few minutes to complete. Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard!
Oklahoma School Counseling Needs Assessment
Thank you for your commitment to student success and for helping drive positive change in school counseling!
New: Counselor & Administrator Collaboratives
In the fast-paced world of school counseling, working together as a community can be a game-changer. By joining a school counseling collaborative, you gain access to a network of like-minded professionals who share resources, ideas, and support. Collaboratives provide opportunities for professional growth, problem-solving, and staying current on best practices.
Being in community with others helps reduce the sense of isolation that often comes with the job, while fostering collaboration on important initiatives like academic success, mental health and wellness, and post-secondary planning. Together, we can strengthen our impact and ensure better outcomes for students. Let’s uplift each other and grow our profession—join a collaborative today!
School Counselor 101 Collaborative:
Are you just starting out in school counseling? Are you emergency or alternatively certified and eager to connect with a team of passionate counselors ready to support you? Join our School Counseling 101 cohort by filling out the form below!
And if you’re a seasoned counselor looking to give back and mentor someone new to the field, we want you too! Simply select “Mentor” as your cohort type on the form, and we'll match you with a mentee. Plus, you'll be part of our regular online and in-person meetups where we’ll share successes, tackle challenges, and explore the fascinating world of school counseling together!
Link to Join: School Counselor 101 Cohort Sign Up
District Director/Lead Counselor and/or Administrator Collaborative for School Counseling:
Are you leading a school counseling department and looking to connect with fellow directors? Are you an administrator wanting to better understand how to work with your school counselor to develop effective and comprehensive programs? Join our School Counseling Leadership Collaborative for regular meetups, idea-sharing, and problem-solving with other leaders. Gain fresh insights, explore best practices, and strengthen your district’s comprehensive school counseling programs through this supportive network of peers.
Whether you're new to the role or a seasoned director, this is your opportunity to grow and collaborate. Fill out the form below and join today!
Link to Join: School Counselor Leader Collaborative
If you have any questions about the cohorts or the forms, please reach out to Christi Sturgeon at christi.sturgeon@sde.ok.gov.
Coffee With Counselors
Please join us for "Coffee with Counselors!" This is an informal time for school counselors from across our great state to come together for celebration, collaboration, and continued growth. We look forward to you joining us!
You asked, and we listened!
By popular demand, Coffee with Counselors will now be hosted on Tuesday mornings during even months and Thursday afternoons during odd months. This change is designed to make our networking opportunities more accessible for school counselors across the state.
Check out the dates, times, and registration links below—we can’t wait to connect with you!
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 New: College and Career Readiness Collaborative
The world of work is quickly evolving, as is the task of keeping students prepared! The CCR Collaborative is designed to give you a network of professionals who are providing College and Career Readiness services to students. A space to share resources, ideas, and support with others who are doing this important work across the state of Oklahoma. In true collaborative fashion, we hope to include examples and success stories from each of you as we address various topics throughout the semester.
We know CCR looks different for each of your schools. We welcome participation from School Counselors, Teachers, Principals, and other professionals dedicated to helping students explore their career opportunities and the steps they can take to get closer to their goals.
New: Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate Updates
Based on a recent USDE audit determination, Oklahoma public schools may not include students graduating on the CORE Curriculum pathway in the numerator for graduation rate calculations, but these graduates must be included in the denominator of the calculation. As a result, schools with students graduating under the CORE Curriculum pathway will experience a decrease in their graduation rate in SY 2025-2026. For schools with many such students, the decrease will be significant. Below are a few helpful resources for supporting your district and families through this transition.
New: Graduation Resources
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has developed a new graduation framework designed to support students from classroom to career. To view new graduation checklists, career pathway resources, and updated FAQ's visit our webpage here. Academic Advisement | Oklahoma State Department of Education
Oklahoma FAFSA Data Portal
The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Oklahoma College Assistance Program offer the Oklahoma FAFSA Data Portal (OK-FDP), a free online tool to help counselors, principals and mentors provide more targeted assistance to high school seniors as they complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Get started tracking FAFSA progress for your seniors today!
OK-FDP Flyer | OK-FDP Video
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Is Work-Based Learning getting you down?
Fear not! Our College and Career Readiness Specialist, Meredith Dennis, will be heading efforts to support schools with developing and connecting students to quality Work-Based Learning experiences.
Have questions for Meredith?
Connect with her HERE to schedule a meeting or send a message to Meredith.Dennis@sde.ok.gov .
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 Tuesday Tea at 2:
A Virtual Collaborative on Prevention & Intervention in K-12 Schools
We are excited to invite you to Tuesday Tea at 2, a virtual monthly collaborative designed to explore and discuss prevention programs and services for K-12 schools. This informal yet impactful gathering provides a space for educators, mental health professionals, and community leaders to share insights, best practices, and strategies for supporting students' well-being and success.
When: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 2:00 PM
Where: Virtual meeting - Register Here
Each session will focus on a different aspect of prevention and intervention, offering a chance to collaborate and learn from one another.
We want Tuesday Tea at 2 to be a meaningful and engaging space for everyone, and we'd love to hear your ideas for discussion topics! If you have suggestions or areas of interest you'd like to see covered, please email your ideas to Amanda Faircloth: amanda.faircloth@sde.ok.gov.
Student Mental Health Protocol
Just a reminder the Mental Health Protocol is due to be submitted every two years to Single Sign-On.
Within the Bully Prevention Policy Section of Single Sign-on districts will find a tab labeled Mental Health. This is where the mental health crisis protocol can be uploaded and certified.
*Must be Superintendent certified to be accepted.
>> Log on to Single Sign-On
https://sde.ok.gov/school-based-mental-health
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Infrastructure and Needs Assessment for School- Based Medicaid Reimbursement Program
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is conducting a comprehensive infrastructure and needs assessment to improve school-based Medicaid reimbursement and ensure students have access to the healthcare resources they need to thrive in a school setting. This assessment evaluates existing systems, identifies gaps, and informs strategies for better Medicaid-funded services in schools. Your input is vital, and we encourage parents, community members, tribal officials, school district administrators, medical providers, and school staff to participate. The survey will take about 10-20 minutes, depending on your role, and your feedback will help shape equitable and effective solutions. Please complete the survey by Friday, December 20th to ensure your voice is included in this important initiative. Together, we can strengthen the framework for student health and well-being.
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