Meet Lee Acers: School Counsellor
Our Spotlight SHC Article SHC Story SHC TeacherLee Acers is our School Counsellor at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus. With extensive experience and a deep commitment to student well-being, Ms Acers plays a vital role in supporting students’ emotional growth. Through counselling sessions, workshops, and school-wide initiatives, she ensures that every child feels heard, supported, and empowered. Her work extends beyond counselling—it’s about fostering a school environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered.
Empowering Lives Through Counselling
With decades of experience as a counsellor, Ms Acers is dedicated to promoting well-being and providing emotional support to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
“I was born in Bangkok and moved to the United States in 1995. I became a counsellor in 1991 and have worked in various settings, including a Youth and Family Centre, a Faith-Based Counselling Centre, a refugee camp, and public schools. My husband and I met while working in a refugee camp in Thailand. We later moved to the United States, where we lived in Oklahoma for nearly 30 years before returning to Thailand to join Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus. This year marks my 13th year as a school counsellor.
I hold master’s degrees in Social Work from Thammasat University, Thailand, and Counselling Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma, USA. I am also a member of the American School Counsellor Association (ASCA) and the International School Counsellor Association (ISCA).
During my time in Oklahoma, I was honoured to be named the 2019 Oklahoma School Counsellor of the Year.”
Creating a Safe and Nurturing Space for Every Child
Ms Acers finds inspiration in the work of school counselling—just as she is inspired by the children she supports.
“As a certified/licensed educator, I aspire to become a school counsellor because I believe in fostering a safe space where students can explore their emotions, develop healthy coping skills, and chase their dreams.
By aligning the counselling programme with the school’s academic mission and improvement plan, I am in a crucial position to impact systematic change and improve students’ outcome goals.
Through my years of experience, I have discovered both the joys and challenges of working in education. I love being part of a school community supporting the students, parents, the school staff, and all stakeholders.”
Starting the Day with Warmth and Ending with Gratitude
Ms Acers’s day-to-day at school is more than just roles and responsibilities—it is a heartfelt commitment to her students.
“I begin each day by greeting students as they arrive, providing a friendly presence and open ear for any immediate concerns. Throughout the day, I meet individually with students referred for counseling services, collaborating with teachers, staff, families, and outside professionals to address their evolving needs. I offer group counselling sessions to support students with common challenges. As each day ends, I reflect on my varied roles as a counsellor, advocate, and educator, grateful for the opportunity to positively impact young lives at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus.
One of my primary goals is to build strong, positive relationships with all students. I take great pride in knowing that children recognise me as Ms Acers, their school counsellor, and feel comfortable approaching me whenever they need someone to talk to.
Collaboration and providing consultations are key roles of school counsellors. I’ve enjoyed connecting with parents through psycho-educational workshops. Now our regular “Tea & Topic – Emotional Regulation Series” sessions for parents have been very well received.”
Driving Initiatives and Committing to Continuous Improvement in School Counselling
Supporting both students and parents through well-being education, Ms Acers is dedicated to making a lasting impact.
“The Tea & Topic parent education programme is essential because student well-being begins at home.
Parents need to feel supported and empowered with the right tools to help their children succeed, develop positive habits, and strengthen their problem-solving skills.
I’ve been working to develop a structured protocol for students in crisis. Ongoing individual and group counselling interventions remain a key focus, ensuring that no student feels alone with their challenges. By providing a therapeutic “safe space” for managing instability, vulnerability, or a sense of being out of control, counselling can complement the positive learning environment of each classroom, fostering both academic and social success.”
Relationships: The Foundation of a Positive School Environment
Fostering meaningful connections, Ms Acers warmly welcomes every student, staff member, and parent.
“The key to success–almost any type of success, really, but certainly in the realm of well-being in schools–is relationships. My passion, my gift, and my commitment is to establish and build on meaningful relationships in the Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus family so that we can continue to function as a school where students feel welcome, have clarity to focus on their education, and enjoy the social environment of interacting with peers, teachers, and other adults with positive outcomes, including positive academic outcomes.
With the right support that removes barriers to students’ learning, I believe all students can learn and succeed and that they have what it takes to be who they are, solve their problems, and manage strong feelings. The right mindset begets well-being and happiness.”
Lee Acers, School Counsellor at Shrewsbury International School Bangkok City Campus