Macungie Elementary School’s Genise Bishop recently was named Lehigh Carbon School Counselors Association Counselor of the Year.

Bishop was surprised with the honor by LCSCA representatives, district administration, building faculty and her family April 4. Bishop was selected out of many well-deserving nominees because of her dedication to the students and staff of Macungie Elementary.

“Genise is a person of integrity and utmost professionalism. Not only does she lead by example, but she also has the courage and caring to help coach others. She does not demand or chastise but instead offers suggestions and recommendations to help the staff member see the whole child. And in the event the staff member is stuck, she offers an empathetic but direct reminder about putting student’s needs before adult frustrations.

“Genise makes a difference every day. She cares for all in our school community by helping our students get ready to learn and our staff get ready to teach. She recognizes the fragility of the human spirit and not only spends every minute caring for the spirit in others but also spends every minute building capacity in others to care for their own spirit and the spirit in others,” Macungie Elementary School Principal Suzanne Vincent said.

Bishop’s colleague teacher Lynda O’Connor added, “Genise Bishop is a true gem! She is an unbelievable counselor not only for the students, but for our entire staff! On a daily basis, at any moment, she is always available to discuss a situation that may have occurred. Genise’s office is a very quiet, calm and cozy place for students to feel safe and secure when they need to talk with her. The students absolutely love her!”

“Genise connects with all levels of the school community from students, to parents and to faculty and staff. It can clearly be inferred that she embraces any opportunity to work with children and people of all ages, is well-organized and goes above and beyond her role as school counselor,” teacher Amy Jo Mushrush said.

“Genise wears many hats as our counselor at Macungie Elementary. She comes in each day and is our smiling face that is a presence in our classrooms and hallways greeting all staff and students. She is always positive and patient. She lends an ear to staff and students who need her. She gives thoughtful and careful advice when we come to her for help. With the pandemic, Genise has been one of the bright spots during these dark days trying to navigate educating students in a new way. We have been blessed to know her and have her look out for all of us each day,” Jennifer Thomas, interventionist teacher, said.

Bishop has been with the East Penn School District since 2003.

She was a counselor at Eyer Middle School, Lincoln Elementary School and Macungie Elementary School.