​​​National School Counseling Week will be celebrated February 5-9, 2024 to recognize School Counselors' unique contribution within the U.S. school systems. During this special week, the Orange County Department of Education recognizes exemplary Orange County School Counselors and School Counseling Advoca​tes​ who work tirelessly to support our Orange County students and families. ​

Nominations for the 2023-2024 school year​ close on Friday, October 13, 2023​​​

Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

Any student, parent, colleague, or supervisor may nominate their exemplary School Counselor of choice for the Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award.  

Eligibility Criteria: 

All applicants for the Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. A Master's Degree in Educational Counseling (or other related field) with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential
   
2. Currently serving any combination of grades TK-12 in a public school in Orange County

Selection Criteria:

All applicants for the Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award will be evaluated using the following selection criteria:

1. Must demonstrate a commitment to providing a comprehensive school counseling program that supports the developmental needs of TK-12 students in all three ASCA domains (Academic, Social-Emotional, Career)
2. Must demonstrate leadership and advocacy on behalf of the counseling profession. Must demonstrate leadership and support of a Multi-Tiered System of Support through data-based decision making in order to support the needs of the whole child (academic, social-emotional learning, behavior)​
   

Orange County K-12 School Counseling Advocate of the Year Award

Any counselor may nominate an exemplary School Counselor Advocate for the Orange County TK-12 School Counseling Advocate of the Year Award.  

Selection Criteria:

Nominees for the Orange County TK-12 School Counseling Advocate of the Year Award will be evaluated using the following selection criteria:

• Supports implementation of a comprehensive School Counseling program which incorporates the ASCA National Model
• Demonstrates Advocacy for the School Counseling profession
  
• Supports School Counselor leadership role in the implementation of an MTSS model framework promoting instruction and interventions for ALL students
  
• Supports the professional learning needs of School Counselors
  
• Supports School Counselor engagement in ASCA professional duties and demonstrates respect for their prescribed ethical and legal boundaries
  
• Supports the use of data in making decisions that are in the best interest of students
  
• Promotes a positive school climate and culture for students and staff 
  

Deadline to submit is Friday, October 13, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.  NOMINATE A COUNSELING ADVOCATE​​​​

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 ​             Previous​ Awardees            

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2022-2023​​

Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

2023 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:

High School

• ​​Angela Badillo, Orange Unified School District
• Elizabeth Grothe,  Anaheim Union High School District
  
• Monica Mejia, Santa Ana Unified School District

Middle School

• Aubrey McMorris, Laguna Beach Unified School District

Elementary School

• Bianca Contreras-Garcia, Tustin Unified School District

 

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award

2023 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:​

• Cammie Nguyen, La Habra City School District
• Katie Treat, Orange Unified School District

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Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

2022 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:

High School

• Jacquie Morck,  Fullerton Joint Union High School District
• Mark Stanley, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District​
  

• Cleo Victa, Capistrano Unified School District

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award

2022 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:​

• Cheryl Nord, Program Specialist, Huntington Beach City School District

Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

 

High School

• Veronica Alvarez, Anaheim Union High School District
• Robert Stelmar, Brea Olinda Unified School District​
  

• Julie Chutuk, Capistrano Unified School District
• Rosa Chavez, Anaheim Elementary School District

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award

2021 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:​

• Jenny Thai, Counselor on Special Assignment, Capistrano Unified School District
• Nicol Jones and Kathryn White, Officers of Parent Teacher Student Organization, Orange Unified School District​​​

2019-2020​

Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

 2020 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:

• Darwin Vega, Capistrano Unified School District

• Jacqueline Gallardo-Hoffmaster, Fullerton School District

• Kyle Sivcovich, Anaheim Elementary ​​School District

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award

2020 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:​

• Katy Castellanos, Director of College and Career Readiness, Santa Ana Unified School District
• Shirley Diaz, Program Specialist, Anaheim Elementary School District​​ 

2018-2019

Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

2019 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:

High School

• Beau Kelly Menchaca, Santa Ana Unified School District
• Lorri Walls, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District​

• Andrew Fredriksz, Capistrano Unified School District

• Katerina Sorrell, Saddleback Valley Unified ​​School District

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award

2019 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:​

• Rebecca Pianta, Coordinator, School Counseling, Capistrano Unified School District
• Dr. Sonia Llamas, Assistant Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District​ 

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2017-2018

Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award

  2018 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:​​

College Board Counselor Award

• Mireya Vazquez, Santa Ana Unified School District
• Nichole Rosa, Laguna Beach Unified School District
• Luz M. Arellano, Tustin Unified School District

K-8 Counselor Award

• Alexis Goddard, Capistrano Unified School District
• Patricia Calkins, Capistrano Unified School District
• Roshni Patel, Orange Unified School District

OC Pathways Counselor Award

• Janice Duzey, Newport Mesa Unified School District
• Julie McGinis, Tustin Unified School District
• Kim Goodwin, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District​