IMPACT Grant Candidate Spotlight

Read about a new candidate for this grant each month. Discover what motivates them to enter this field and the passion they bring to become a licensed school counselor.

Amanda Owen is a dedicated educator with 24 years of experience, including a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction and an Educational Specialist degree as a Reading Specialist. She currently serves as a job-embedded School Counselor at Winfree Bryant Middle School in Lebanon Special School District. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending quality time with her family.

Amanda's professional journey took a meaningful turn following the COVID-19 pandemic when she witnessed an increase in students' social-emotional challenges. She felt it was divine intervention when she was awarded the IMPACT grant to pursue her school counseling degree at Lipscomb University. The past two years as a graduate student have been transformative, providing her with a deeper understanding of students' developmental and emotional needs.

Amanda Owen
"The Lipscomb School Counseling program has encouraged and challenged me to examine my own thoughts about cultural competence while providing evidence-based counseling strategies enabling me to support all students, especially those from diverse backgrounds." — Amanda Owen

By combining her strength in building relationships with her newly acquired knowledge, she feels empowered to create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel seen, heard, and supported, enabling them to thrive both emotionally and academically.