​​​​​​​ 2022 ​Orange County Counselor Recognition Program​

National School Counseling Week is celebrated February 7-11, 2022 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 Counselor Advocates who work tirelessly to support our Orange County students and families. ​

Orange County K-12 School Counselor Award 

Any student, parent, colleague, or supervisor may nominate their exemplary School Counselor of choice for the Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award.  Anyone nominating a School Counselor must fill out the online form and submit it by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 28, 2022. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

All applicants for the Orange County K-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 K-12 in a public school in Orange County

Selection Criteria:

All applicants for the Orange County K-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 K-12 students in all three ASCA domains (Academic, Social-Emotional, Career)
2. Must demonstrate leadership and advocacy on behalf of the counseling profession
3. 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 School Counselor Advocate Award 

Any counselor may nominate an exemplary School Counselor Advocate for the Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award.  Anyone nominating a School Counselor Advocate must fill out the online form and submit it by 5:00 pm on Friday, January 28th, 2022. 

Selection Criteria:

Nominees for the Orange County School Counselor Advocate 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
  

2020-2021​

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

 

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

 

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