Los Angeles County School Counseling Leaders Earn Statewide Honors

Los Angeles County School Counseling Leaders Earn Statewide Honors

Wed Sep 30 10:18:00 PDT 2026

Four Los Angeles County school counseling leaders and programs have earned statewide recognition for their exceptional advocacy, innovation and commitment to helping students thrive.

Four Los Angeles County honorees have been named 2027 award recipients by the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), including a Los Angeles County Office of Education leader recognized for her advocacy and commitment to advancing school counseling.

Dra. Anna Heinbuch, LACOE coordinator II of school counseling, has been named the 2027 Counselor Advocate of the Year. The statewide honor recognizes her leadership and dedication to strengthening school counseling programs and championing the critical role counselors play in supporting students' academic success, wellbeing and preparation for life after graduation.

Heinbuch's recognition also reflects LACOE's ongoing commitment to expanding access to comprehensive, student-centered school counseling throughout Los Angeles County.

Three additional Los Angeles County honorees were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the school counseling profession:

• Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District was named the 2027 Exemplary District School Counseling Program.

• Esperanza Elementary School in Westside Union School District was recognized as a 2027 Exemplary School Counseling Program.

• Melissa Gillespie of Las Virgenes Unified School District was named the 2027 School Counselor of the Year. Gillespie was previously honored as LACOE's 2025 School Counselor of the Year.

Together, the awardees represent the strength, innovation and impact of school counseling across Los Angeles County. Their work helps ensure students have access to the guidance, resources and relationships they need to thrive in school and beyond.

CASC's annual awards program celebrates counselors, counseling programs, administrators, counselor educators and advocates for their achievements, leadership and dedication to the school counseling field. Award recipients are honored at the association's annual convention and expo.

Congratulations to Heinbuch, Gillespie, Norwalk-La Mirada USD and Esperanza Elementary School on their well-deserved statewide recognition!