Nickajack Elementary counselor receives national recognition | People

SMYRNA, Ga. (CCSD CobbCast) -- A professional school counselor at Smyrna's Nickajack Elementary has been named the 2011-2012 American School Counselor Association's Counselor of the Year.

Nicole Pfleger will travel to Washington, DC in February to compete against five other national finalists for the title.

Pfleger is among 400 people who competed for the award, which honors professionals who work tirelessly to make a daily difference in students' lives. She was honored by Cobb County Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa during a surprise assembly on Dec. 8.

During her trip to the nation's capitol, Pfleger will meet with members of Congress, tour the city's many monuments and attend a black-tie awards gala at Union Station.