LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Kim Callahan was nominated by her principal, John Chancey.

Dr. Callahan is Wacona Elementary's school counselor, but she goes above and beyond her job description. She watches over the students as if they were her own children. She makes sure they have what they need to succeed, not only at school, but in life, as well. Dr. Callahan helps them with so much more than behavioral or academic needs. Sadly, some of her students need basic necessities like food, clothing, and shelter, and she doesn't rest until she knows these needs are met. Even the students who want for nothing see her as a genuinely friendly person. She is quick to talk with them just to see how their day is going, and to give them a positive message to carry throughout the day. Dr. Callahan not only does this for her students, but for the staff and parents, as well. She has turned her career into her life’s work.  She is a staunch advocate for the children.

Her position at Wacona Elementary calls for her to meet the needs of a diverse group of students, and she excels at this challenge. Wacona Elementary is a  unique Title 1 school whose student population is made up of children who live in the city, as well as students who come from a very rural area.  Students range in grades from Kindergarten through 5th Grade, and they can be anywhere between four and eleven years old. Dr. Callahan must be able to serve all of these age levels and the differing social and emotional needs they have.  She tries to help all of her students become life-long learners by helping them to develop better decision-making and communication skills.  She accomplishes these things by determining whether the student needs individual counseling or group sessions. Whenever possible, Dr. Callahan involves the family to help.  Another one of Dr. Callahan's assigned duties is to monitor students’ attendance.  She accomplishes this by working in conjunction with several colleagues. She takes an active role in making sure all of the students attend school regularly. 

Dr. Callahan takes an active role in teaching the students.  She teaches students to be safe by presenting Good Touch/Bad Touch, radKids, and internet safety, along with protocols on when and how to find help, if they need it.  She presents lessons designed to inform career readiness and sets up a career fair for the 5th graders.  This entails bringing in many local professionals of various careers paths. 

Dr. Callahan is one of the essential people who makes Wacona Elementary a successful, family-oriented school by teaching students to be active in their community.  She tries her best to reach out to all of the students, as well as those in need throughout the community.  Dr. Callahan leads many community service projects where students and staff donate time, materials, and monetary gifts to help those in need.  She recognizes the importance of giving back and helps teach students this lesson through leading by example. 

Dr. Callahan is widely recognized for her work with career guidance and was a guest speaker at the Association for Career and Technical Education’s National Career Tech Vision Conference held in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Callahan was invited to present from a nation-wide group of educators, and she was one of the few school counselors selected. She also served as a Georgia Delegate to the ACTE Assembly of Delegates, a distinct honor reserved for a prestigious group. She has brought attention to both Wacona and the Ware County School System for all of these accomplishments.