This year, OSCA has three openings for our Board of Directors. Each elected Board Director serves a three year term.

Thank you to our candidates and to our members who voted in this year's OSCA Board Director elections.

Candidate Statements

Maya Bourgeois

Beaverton School District

I am deeply committed to empowering young people, advocating for social justice, and fostering collective action. I believe in the Oregon School Counselor Association’s (OSCA) capacity to positively empower students and educators across the state, and I am eager to contribute to that mission.

As a white, able-bodied, cisgender, queer woman, I acknowledge the privilege I hold and the responsibility it carries to advocate for justice. My work as a school counselor is rooted in my identity as a community and social justice advocate. Schools are at the core of every community and through counseling, I can holistically address systemic barriers and support young people with their social and personal wellbeing.

Over the last decade, I’ve held various roles within education to determine where I could make the most meaningful impact. My background as a nonprofit administrator for arts education organizations allowed me to develop skills in community engagement, communication, and programming. Most recently, as a middle school counselor in the Beaverton School District, I’ve worked to implement multi-tiered systems of support and cross-sector collaboration. As part of our comprehensive school counseling program, my counseling team and I recently established an annual middle school career development program and a new after-school affinity space for Latine families—efforts that reflect my dedication to inclusive, justice-centered practices in school counseling.

In addition to my work as K–12 counselor, I also serve as a counselor educator at the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. I am passionate about training and empowering the next generation of counselors that will support our shared communities. After serving on OSCA’s Social Justice/Anti-Racism Committee, I’m inspired to deepen my engagement with OSCA and contribute to its work in more substantial ways.

I am ready to grow and embrace the discomfort that comes with centering empathy and justice in order to serve counselors and students. I am eager to contribute my skills, experiences, and passion to furthering OSCA’s mission of promoting equitable practices in school counseling across the state.

Angie Chown

Redmond School District

I am interested in becoming an OSCA Board Director because I am deeply committed to advocating for the role of school counselors and the well-being of the students we serve. Becoming a part of OSCA’s leadership team would allow me to work directly with other dedicated professionals to enhance our collective mission and elevate the profession of school counseling.

With a background in education, leadership, and community engagement, I bring a diverse skill set that will benefit the OSCA Board. I have strong communication and organizational skills, which will allow me to collaborate effectively with fellow board members and stakeholders, ensuring that we are addressing the needs of counselors in Oregon.

With my recent OSCA SCOY title, Sage Elementary RAMP recipient and an adjunct faculty member for OSU-Cascades Master of Counseling program I hope to bring fresh perspectives and dedication to the board.

I am particularly motivated by OSCA's mission to advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs that promote equity, access, and success for all students. I have a passion for supporting students' academic, social-emotional, and career development. I am confident I can contribute to the ongoing development of the counseling profession in Oregon.

Ultimately, I believe that my combination of professional experience, passion for mental health advocacy, and dedication to supporting school counselors will make me an effective and engaged member of the OSCA Board, helping to advance the counseling profession and better serve students across Oregon.

Sarah Martin

Beaverton School District

School Counselors are vital assets to school buildings in ensuring that all students receive the education and care they deserve through implementing equitable practices. We have a significant impact on both individual and systemic levels with our students, buildings, and districts. Since we operate in so many different spaces and roles, our job is often misunderstood by our colleagues and the community, and may lead to burnout or isolation. Which is why I feel it is important to have a community to support educators through this career path. We are stronger when we work together, and I believe the Oregon School Counselor Association is the platform to provide our members with the community and the support to thrive in their career.

I am passionate about advancing the field of school counseling and supporting school counselors

throughout the state. As a board member of OSCA, I will bring my passion and creativity to a team that

is here to serve our school counselors. I have worked as a school counselor for 7 years, split between

two different districts and varying demographics. During that time, I have advocated for school

counselors as a member of a district-wide School Counselor Steering Committee that was building a

comprehensive school counseling program for all grade levels within that district. I was also a member

of a Building Design Committee that collaborated with a team of professionals to build a school that

would better serve our students, with a focus on safety and inclusivity. Additionally, I have fulfilled

leadership roles within my school building as the department lead for our Student Services Department,and have led professional development for school building staff. I have also acted as a supervisor for four graduate school interns, fostering growth in their skills and gaining confidence before beginning their careers. I thrive in collaborative settings and am able to be approachable, constructive, and sincere with my colleagues. I believe my experience and skill set would make an excellent addition to this team.

It would be an honor to serve as a board of director with OSCA and work alongside other passionate

professionals in the field who are supporting our school counselors and students. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Photos: Maya Bourgeois, Angie Chown, Sarah Martin