Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Janet Doss, guidance specialist at Liberty Elementary School, has been selected as the Kentucky Counseling Association’s Elementary Counselor of the Year. She will accept the award Oct. 23 at the group’s annual conference in Louisville.

“It meant a lot that there were people I work with who recognized and wanted to honor what I did. And it meant a whole lot that it was a parent (along with staff) who nominated me,” said Doss, a Lexington native in her 16^th year with Fayette County Public Schools.

Vickie Burke, the principal at Liberty, called Doss a huge asset for her school and the whole district.

“She has an amazing background as an on-the-street social worker,” with strong connections to the community and 25 years of experience. “When you bring that into a school setting, it’s rich,” Burke said.

Doss earned her undergraduate degrees in social work and recreation from the University of Kentucky and a master’s in social work from the University of Louisville. She previously worked in a nursing home setting, in protective services and juvenile court, and as a child therapist. She also teaches part-time at UK.

“Our focus is to remove barriers to learning,” Doss said of guidance specialists. “I recognize the kids as our future. They have so much potential. Helping them see that is so important to me.”