District 6 counselor named Counselor of the Year
Bethany Balderrama, a counselor at Northridge High School, has been named the high school level Counselor of the Year for 2018 by the Colorado School Counselor Association.
Balderrama has been a counselor at Northridge for nine years, spending her entire career at the school. The award honors professionals who serve as advocates for their students. A panel selects winners based on their innovation, effective counseling programs, strong leadership and advocacy skills.
Northridge Principal Insoon Olson said Balderrama exhibits all these traits and more.
“We wouldn’t be able to do all the work we do without her leadership,” Olson said. “We thank her for all she does to support children.”
Balderrama, who attended Colorado State University and the University of Phoenix, was surprised by her peers at Northridge Monday morning with the announcement of her award. She said her mother was a middle school counselor, and after exploring other careers, she eventually decided to follow her mother’s lead and become a high school counselor.
“Ultimately, we are helping students reach their goals and navigate roadblocks,” she said. “It is amazing to see all of the students who have gone through our school and are seeing success.”
The Colorado School Counselor Association will recognize Balderrama, and the winners from the elementary and middle school levels, at its annual conference in Keystone October 17-19. A panel will select one of the winners to represent Colorado in the National Counselor of the Year competition.