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Meet our COMMITTEE Chairs
Advocacy & Legislative
Awards & Recognition
Demia Espinal: EspinalD@rcschools.net
Barfield Elementary School Counselor
Grades 3rd-5th
Demia is a tenured dedicated bilingual school counselor with over 15 years of experience in education and more than 6 years in professional counseling. She has supported K–12 students both in the United States and internationally, with a strong focus on academic success, social-emotional development, and student wellness. Mrs. Espinal specializes in stress reduction and mindfulness practices, including meditation, breathwork, and trauma-informed care. As a licensed professional school counselor and certified yoga instructor, she is passionate about creating supportive, inclusive environments that empower students and families through individualized support and innovative programs. Currently, she is completing her MA+45 at Tennessee State University and moving into the PH.D program for Counseling Psychology. She is the Department Chair of Rewards and Recognition Committee and will be spearheading the committee with the selection of next school counselor of the year for 2026. She believes education should nurture the whole child academically, emotionally, socially, and culturally. She also believes that every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background or challenges. As an educator and school counselor, her philosophy is grounded in the understanding that emotional well-being is foundational to learning and that students thrive in environments where they feel safe, respected, and valued.
Membership & Engagement
Nacole Steward Gwathney: nacolesteward@gmail.com
Hardin Valley Elementary
Elementary School Counselor
Nacole is an elementary school counselor in Knox County Schools. Before transitioning to counseling, she taught middle and high school ELA for 8 years. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in Houston, TX. Nacole has served as the president of the Smoky Mountain Counseling Association which collaborates with counseling professionals in 16 EAST TN counties. She has also been recognized as the Middle School Counselor of the Year for the East Region. Currently, she serves as the Membership Committee chair for the Tennessee School Counselor Association. She is also a proud member of the American School Counseling Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Nachole believes that mental health and social-emotional learning within educational settings is a vital asset to our school culture.
Professional Learning
Nicole Hurt- nehurt@lipscomb.edu
Middle Tennessee Christian School Counselor
Grades 6-12
Nicole Hurt is a veteran educator, with twenty-six years of experience and thirteen years as a professional school counselor. She has a passion for serving students and teachers and works hard to ensure a safe, nurturing environment for all those she encounters. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Administration, and an Education Specialist Degree in School Counseling all from Lipscomb University. She is also an adjunct professor in Lipscomb’s graduate programs, where she shares her passions and knowledge with future school counselors. She is regularly invited to speak at seminars and webinars about The Heart of School Counseling and Advocating for the School Counselor Role. Nicole has been happily married for almost twenty-seven years to her college sweetheart, and they have a daughter who is a junior at the University of Tennessee. Nicole loves to be with family, work outside in her flowers, write, serve at her church, and travel. She is excited to co-chair the Professional Learning Committee and help bring engaging, high-quality opportunities to the amazing school counselors in Tennessee!
Joyce Hollins- joycehollins06@gmail.com
Summit High School
(Pic and bio coming soon)