Isabel “Izzy” Parrado, a certified school counselor at Okeeheelee Middle School, has been named the Florida School Counselor Association’s (FSCA) Middle School Counselor of the Year.
Parrado recently spearheaded the national recognition of Dr. Connie Siskowski, founder of the American Association of Caregiving Youth, as a CNN Hero and champion for caregiving students.
Parrado sacrifices countless hours of personal time to helping families in need, assisting parents, and building relationships in the community that ultimately benefit the students at Okeeheelee Middle School. Her legacy of excellent student and collegial achievement is rooted in her strong belief that every student can learn and all people can reach their highest potential.
“Mrs. Parrado is a bona fide dynamo who never — and I mean never — abandons doing everything she can to help a student,” Principal David Samore said. “She thinks globally and acts locally, inspiring others around her. Having worked with Izzy for almost 30 years, I can say without hesitation that she is the most committed, passionate counselor/educator I have ever known.”
The acknowledgement of achievement will be awarded at the Florida School Counselor Convention on Nov. 1 in St. Petersburg.
