Quick look: OCDE will honor outstanding school counselors at the 12th annual Orange County Counselor Symposium. The event will also offer variety of breakout sessions on supporting students’ academic, emotional and career success.
The Orange County Department of Education is inviting educators to attend the 12th annual Orange County Counselor Symposium on Feb. 4 during National School Counseling Week.
The OCDE-led event will honor this year’s finalists for School Counselors and Advocates of the Year while offering professional learning opportunities through breakout sessions and a keynote address centered around this year’s theme, “Words Are Your Superpower.”
The sold-out symposium will be held at the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa and will bring together school counselors, district and site administrators, and student-support professionals from across the county. Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean and Executive Director of Systemic Leadership and Continuous Improvement Dr. Jami Parsons are also scheduled to attend and formally announce the seven school counseling professionals recognized for excellence in leadership and dedication to supporting students’ academic success and well-being.
“Recognizing school counselors through the Counselor Recognition Program reinforces OCDE’s commitment to Dr. Bean’s 5-3-1 Plan by elevating professionals who advance student well-being, academic achievement, and future readiness,” Dr. Parsons said. “Honoring exemplary counseling practice underscores how counselors contribute to systemwide improvement and positive student outcomes across Orange County.”
Honorees were nominated by their peers and selected based on their professional standards, impact, leadership and service to students. Awards include Elementary, Middle and High School Counselors of the Year, as well as counselors representing alternative education and community colleges. Two Advocates of the Year — one from K-12 education and one from community colleges — were also selected.
Dr. Kevin J. Fleming will headline the symposium with a keynote presentation on how intentional communication plays a pivotal role in helping students achieve success.
After, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in 40 different breakout sessions covering topics such as youth-driven approaches to mental health awareness and the use of artificial intelligence as a tool for career exploration and education. Sessions are designed to support the whole-child approach to student development in alignment with California’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework.
Below is the complete list of the 2026 Orange County Counselors and Advocates of the Year.
Elementary School Counselor of the Year
Marianne Lawson, MS, PPS
El Morro Elementary
Laguna Beach Unified School District
Middle School Counselor of the Year
Taylor Tsang
Legacy Magnet Academy
Tustin Unified School District
High School Counselor of the Year
Kara McCann, PPS, LPCC
Orange County School of the Arts
Alternative Education School Counselor of the Year
Dr. Ashley Nguyen
Huntington Beach Adult School
Huntington Beach Union High School District
School Counseling Advocate of the Year
Connie Jacobs, MS, PPS
Irvine Unified School District
Community College Counselor of the Year
Eric Garcia
Irvine Valley College
South Orange County Community College District
Community College Counseling Advocate of the Year
Dr. Dora Elena Escobar, Ed.D., L.M.F.T.
Santiago Canyon College
Rancho Santiago Community College District