Counselor of the County
COUNSELOR OF THE COUNTY 2024
Valerie Hendon
School Counselor, Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, Elizabeth
Ms. Hendon has committed herself in providing the best counseling services to all her students. She has built positive working relationships with the students, parents, teachers, and school community to ensure success. Ms. Hendon is an outstanding school counselor that works tirelessly to ensure students have all the resources to be successful as they journey through high school. She assesses students’ strengths and interests to help them choose courses that will prepare them for college and careers. She has also scheduled many college visits at our school where students learn more closely of the expectations and programs being offered. In addition, Ms. Hendon has helped students build important learning skills using Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), studying practices, time management, and reading / writing skills. Also, Ms. Hendon has provided counseling to her students in the areas of Social-emotional learning and behavioral problems to overcome obstacles. In closing, the greatest attribute Ms. Hendon has is that she genuinely cares about her students and their future. She goes “above and beyond” to meet and surpass excellent school counseling services for her students and school community.
Eligibility for consideration:
The county nominee must currently be employed as a school counselor/lead counselor/director/ supervisor and have completed three consecutive years of counseling service.
The nominee must hold a Master's Degree or equivalent in School Counseling and be certified as a counselor by the state of New Jersey.
The counselor must be an active member of the Union County School Counselor Association (UCSCA) and the New Jersey School Counselor Association (NJSCA).
Criteria for recognition:
The nominee should possess the personal qualities desirable in a school counselor.
The nominee must have been responsible for innovations in counseling programs, for demonstrating leadership in school counseling, and for performing an outstanding service to the school or community.
The activities or accomplishments recognized must have taken place within five years prior to the date of presentation.
Past Recipients
2024 - Valerie Hendon, School Counselor, Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, Elizabeth
2023 - Scott Petrillo, School Counselor, Summit High School
2022 - Rachel Migliorini, School Counselor, UCVTS
2021 - Lara Drewes, School Counselor, Summit High School
2020 - Jillian Shadis, Director of School Counseling/HS School Counselor, New Providence School District
2019 - Catherine Francis, School Counselor, Hillside High School
2018 - Colleen Bodek, Director of Guidance/Testing, Roselle Park School District
2017 - Evalyn Leonard, School Counselor, Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29
2016 - Valerie Hendon, School Counselor, Thomas A. Edison Career & Technical Academy
2015 - Ann T. Moore, School Counselor, Roselle Park High School