Ten dedicated education professionals have been named the 2025 Orange County Counselors and Counseling Advocates of the Year for their extraordinary contributions to guiding students toward success and supporting school communities.
Now in its sixth year, the OC Counselor Recognition Program — led by the Orange County Department of Education — aims to recognize the county’s top school counselors and their advocates serving TK-12 schools and community colleges for their commitment to young learners’ academic, emotional and social development.
This year’s honorees were selected for not only helping scholars strive for academic and career success but also for enhancing their overall well-being.
Among the recipients is Jami Gulini, a counselor at Early College High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District. After receiving the news that she was selected, Gulini said she was honored to be recognized among such an outstanding group of educators.
“I find immense joy in connecting with each student, understanding their unique needs and challenges, and creating a warm and encouraging environment for them to thrive,” Gulini said. “The relationships I build with my students and witnessing their amazing successes is the most fulfilling part of my job.”
In February, these education professionals will be celebrated by their colleagues at the 11th annual OC School Counselors Symposium. Educators and school employees interested in attending can register through the conference website.
Here’s a complete list of the distinguished OC honorees:
2025 Orange County School Counselors of the Year
Jennifer Hatfield, Hidden Hills Elementary School in the Capistrano Unified School District
Noemi Alvarado, Madison Elementary School in the Santa Ana Unified School District
Joanne Kurtz, Pioneer Middle School in the Tustin Unified School District
Jodie Reddingius, Beatty Middle School in the Buena Park School District
Jami Gulini, Early College High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Christa Schulz, Trabuco Hills High School in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Jill Briquelet, Gilbert High School in the Anaheim Union High School District
Eleshia Shipp, Oxford Preparatory Academy – South Orange County
Ruby Pastrana, General Counselor at Irvine Valley College
2025 Orange County Counseling Advocate of the Year
Dr. Michael Keller, Director of Social Emotional Support in the Laguna Beach Unified School District