Late in 2024, PDK International introduced its newest membership category: the PDK Prestige Membership. This complimentary membership is available to individuals who have been honored with an “of the year” award from any organization. The goal is to recognize those who exemplify PDK International’s core values of excellence and leadership, particularly those who may not have discovered PDK in a collegiate or professional setting.
One such distinguished leader is Bob Bardwell, the 2010 Massachusetts School Counselor of the Year and the executive director of the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA). Hailing from Hampden, Massachusetts, Bardwell is a champion for school counseling, a field that plays a crucial role in education and requires a strong pipeline of professionals, much like classroom teaching. Through MASCA, a state association of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), he is actively working to cultivate the next generation of school counselors by spearheading a statewide committee focused on recruitment.
Like many PDK International members, including students involved in Educators Rising, Bardwell realized in high school that he wanted to pursue a career in education. His mother was a third-grade teacher for 40 years, but he found his calling elsewhere. “During my free period, I worked in the guidance office,” he recalls. “I thought it was really cool what they did, helping kids. I knew I liked the school environment, I liked psychology and counseling, but I knew I didn’t want to be a teacher.”
After earning an undergraduate degree in secondary education with a focus on behavioral science, Bardwell pursued his master’s degree in school counseling at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
A passionate advocate for the profession, he encourages students who are natural helpers to consider school counseling. “Most people who want to be counselors have a strong desire to help others,” he explains. “They see the opportunity to have a meaningful influence in a smaller setting or one-on-one, more so than in a large classroom. Many of my colleagues were the friends others turned to for support. If you have that helper mentality, school counseling could be a great career path. Seeing a ninth grader grow into a 12th grader, witnessing their maturity and readiness for the next steps after high school—that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Bardwell takes great pride in the advancements he has championed within the profession. During his 21 years in a small district, he valued being deeply embedded in the local community. While working in schools, he collaborated with his department to develop a comprehensive counseling curriculum. Now, as MASCA’s executive director, he is dedicated to ensuring counselors statewide have access to essential resources. Under his leadership, MASCA has seen remarkable growth, with a 113% increase in membership, reflecting its dynamic and forward-thinking approach.
Bardwell also has witnessed significant changes in the field. “If a school counselor isn’t making a difference, they should be doing more,” he said. “Counselors today are encouraged to be more proactive — engaging in classrooms, supporting students before issues arise rather than reacting after the fact.”
PDK International recognizes many educators like Bardwell have received an “of the year” award at the school, district, university, or state level and continue to be strong leaders in their field. The Prestige Membership is designed to honor these individuals, celebrate their contributions, and connect them to a distinguished community. This complimentary membership includes a digital subscription to Kappan magazine, among other benefits.
If you or someone in your community qualifies, we invite you to explore the benefits and apply for this esteemed membership at pdkintl.org/prestige.
This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Kappan, Vol. 106, No. 5-6, pp. 69.
