Anita Townsley

Anita Townsley, School Counselor at South Tama County Elementary School in Tama, Iowa, was named the 2020 Iowa Elementary School Counselor of the Year. The Iowa School Counselor Association (ISCA) gave this award to Townsley at the annual ISCA conference held virtually on Nov. 2 and 3, 2020.

Townsley was recognized for the outstanding counseling program she has developed at South Tama County Elementary School that includes such elements as using data to document the effectiveness of the program. She has been instrumental in ensuring excellence in the counseling program at South Tama County Elementary School through implementation of the ASCA national model.

Over the years Townsley has served as a PBIS coach, member of the Bully Prevention Committee, MTSS committee member, Multi-Cultural Gender Fair Coordinator, Red Ribbon Week coordinator, Veteran’s Day committee member and secretary and board member of the South Tama County Scholarship Foundation.

Townsley received her master’s degree in School Counseling from Iowa State University in 1992. Since then she has been a School Counselor with South Tama County Elementary School. She is a leader in her district, serving on the Reading First Team and engaging in professional development to move the counseling program forward.

Kris Collins, Assistant Elementary School Principal, has this to say about Townsley:

“She is a dynamic educator who uses a differentiated instructional approach in a highly student-centered classroom. She is beloved by our students, staff, and families.”

We are fortunate to have Anita Townsley represent Iowa as the 2020 Elementary School Counselor of the Year! If you would like more information about Townsley and this statewide recognition please contact us at:

Sarah Majoros

ISCA Awards and Recognition Chair

sarah.majoros@dmschools.org