OCDE’s director of learning support services has been honored by the California Association of School Counselors.
Dr. Jami Parsons, who has held numerous leadership positions with the Orange County Department of Education since 2015, was named as the Advocate of the Year during the association’s virtual awards ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11.
“I am beyond humbled to receive this award, which is a culmination of my life’s work,” Parsons said. “I believe that school counselors are leaders, and they are advocates for their students and their families. So it’s definitely an honor to be able to support the work they do across the county.”
OCDE has in recent years expanded its efforts to promote counseling through trainings, conferences and its own annual recognition program, Parsons said.
“The work that we do makes me extremely fulfilled in terms of my role,” she said.
With 27 years of experience as an educational administrator and school counselor, Parsons serves as a member of the California Multi-Tiered System of Support state executive team and co-chair of the California County Office of Education Leadership for School Counseling, or COELSC. She has also lectured at several higher education institutions, including Cal State Long Beach, Chapman University and Concordia University.
According to CASC, the Advocate of the Year award recognizes professionals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy and on behalf of school counseling.
The association also named Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell Legislator of the Year and presented awards for Administrator of the Year, Counselor Educator of the Year and School Counselor of the Year, along with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
You can learn more about the awards program and find a full list of honorees at www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/2022-annual-awards.
